The Peer Supplemental Instruction (PSI) program provides both support for students in freshmen courses and leadership opportunities for junior and seniors.

Academic Support

PSI supports a successful transition from high school to college-level STEM courses. This is a critical transition when students often exit STEM programs because they struggle to meet the demands of introductory college-level course work. PSI provides collaborative learning opportunities for students to reinforce understanding of course material and work with peer leaders. Peer leaders, who have already succeeded in the course and are trained to prepare lesson plans and use active learning strategies, facilitate learning during PSI sessions. These sessions provide structured learning activities to reinforce course content, develop study skills that translate to other STEM courses and encourage students to build collaborative relationships with their peers. The PSI program currently supports gateway courses in biology, chemistry, mathematics and information technology.

Leadership

Students who have previously succeeded in the introductory STEM courses serve as PSI leaders. Leaders gain many skills beyond the classroom through planning and facilitating study sessions for their peers. Leaders strengthen their own knowledge of the material, gain confidence in their ability to persist in the STEM pipeline, and develop important job skills including leadership, time management, teamwork and public speaking. Leaders are guided through this experience by PSI faculty team members, who work closely with the leaders and the faculty teaching the introductory courses.

Video featuring Dr. Cindy-Achat Mendes (biology faculty), Ms. Nailah Williamson (peer instructor) and Mr. Paul Pena  (peer instructor) discussing their experiences with PSI.