Cohorted Courses: Unlocking Student Engagement and Success
From Peggy Kerr
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Session Description:
This presentation will explore the transformative benefits of cohorted courses at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC), a designated Hispanic Serving Institution, and how they promote deeper student engagement, collaboration, and retention. Highlighting programs such as the Male Initiative for Leadership and Education (MILE), LEAD: Female-identifying Leadership and Mentoring Program, and Veteran Services, we will examine their alignment with STCC’s strategic plan and commitment to equity. Participants will learn best practices for teaching cohorted classes, the value of holistic student support, and the vital role faculty play in fostering inclusive learning environments. Discover how these courses address challenges, celebrate successes, and create a sense of belonging, empowering students to achieve their academic and personal goals.
Session Objectives:
Institutional, instructional, and co-curricular strategies for advancing DEI
Audience:
Higher Education faculty, staff and administrators
Panelists:
Miguel Maria, EdD Kimberly Reese, EdD, MHS (she/her)
Biographies:
Miguel Maria EdD, serves as the Assistant Dean of Student Initiatives at Springfield Technical Community College, overseeing SUCCESS-funded initiatives and student support services. Previously, he was the inaugural Director of the Male Initiative for Leadership and Education (MILE). As a firstgeneration college graduate, Miguel’s passion for student success is deeply personal, having benefited from student support programs himself. His work is dedicated to advancing student achievement, ensuring that all students have access to the resources, guidance, and support needed to reach their academic, personal, and professional goals. He is committed to fostering equity, engagement, and student empowerment at STCC.
Dr. Kimberly Reese (she/her/hers) is a service-connected veteran and the Veterans Academic Counselor at Springfield Technical Community College, a Hispanic Serving Institution, in Massachusetts. She served in the Air Force and understands the multi-faceted complexities student veterans face. Additionally, she worked as an adjunct to a full science Professorship, becoming a Teaching Fellow in Universal Design for Learning. She pivoted into Veteran and Military Services after years of watching students struggle. Her dissertation focused on creating veteran-inclusive campuses and in her current role, she advocates for military-affiliated students, promotes veteran-inclusivity, and helps students navigate the various DOD and VA hurdles.
This presentation will explore the transformative benefits of cohorted courses at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC), a designated Hispanic Serving Institution, and how they promote deeper student engagement, collaboration, and retention. Highlighting programs such as the Male Initiative for Leadership and Education (MILE), LEAD: Female-identifying Leadership and Mentoring Program, and Veteran Services, we will examine their alignment with STCC’s strategic plan and commitment to equity. Participants will learn best practices for teaching cohorted classes, the value of holistic student support, and the vital role faculty play in fostering inclusive learning environments. Discover how these courses address challenges, celebrate successes, and create a sense of belonging, empowering students to achieve their academic and personal goals.
Session Objectives:
- Identify why cohorted courses were created to support specialized student groups, including MILE, LEAD, and Veteran Services.
- Explore best practices for teaching cohorted classes to foster engagement, collaboration, and retention.
- Describe how faculty play a vital role in creating inclusive and impactful educational experiences.
- Examine the holistic supports available within the cohort models and their impact on student success.
Institutional, instructional, and co-curricular strategies for advancing DEI
Audience:
Higher Education faculty, staff and administrators
Panelists:
Miguel Maria, EdD Kimberly Reese, EdD, MHS (she/her)
Biographies:
Miguel Maria EdD, serves as the Assistant Dean of Student Initiatives at Springfield Technical Community College, overseeing SUCCESS-funded initiatives and student support services. Previously, he was the inaugural Director of the Male Initiative for Leadership and Education (MILE). As a firstgeneration college graduate, Miguel’s passion for student success is deeply personal, having benefited from student support programs himself. His work is dedicated to advancing student achievement, ensuring that all students have access to the resources, guidance, and support needed to reach their academic, personal, and professional goals. He is committed to fostering equity, engagement, and student empowerment at STCC.
Dr. Kimberly Reese (she/her/hers) is a service-connected veteran and the Veterans Academic Counselor at Springfield Technical Community College, a Hispanic Serving Institution, in Massachusetts. She served in the Air Force and understands the multi-faceted complexities student veterans face. Additionally, she worked as an adjunct to a full science Professorship, becoming a Teaching Fellow in Universal Design for Learning. She pivoted into Veteran and Military Services after years of watching students struggle. Her dissertation focused on creating veteran-inclusive campuses and in her current role, she advocates for military-affiliated students, promotes veteran-inclusivity, and helps students navigate the various DOD and VA hurdles.
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