Become a Spring 2026 Faculty Mentor in the Learning Assistant Program
The Learning Assistant (LA) Program is one of the most dynamic examples of experiential learning on campus—empowering students to learn by doing while helping their peers succeed. Through this program, students serve as Learning Assistants in courses across disciplines, supporting faculty and classmates in creating more interactive and engaging learning environments.
At the heart of the LA experience is the 1-credit pedagogy seminar course, where students explore evidence-based teaching practices, metacognition, inclusive learning, and effective communication. This course helps LAs be a part of the LA community on campus, reflect on their classroom experiences, connect them to learning science, and develop professional skills that strengthen their academic and career readiness. You may request a LA seminar course under your department’s own rubric—for instance, NURS 389, ART 389, HIST 389, ENGL 389, GEOS 389, PSY 389, or CHEM 389. This allows students to earn upper-division credit within their major while still participating in the LA program.
Faculty who partner with LAs often find that their classrooms become more student-centered and collaborative. LAs assist in labs, guide small-group discussions, and encourage active participation—creating a richer and more connected learning experience for everyone involved.
We are currently inviting instructors interested in hosting Learning Assistants in their courses for the upcoming semester. Whether you teach in Arts or Humanities, Business, Analytics & Communication, Education or Science, Health and Environment, the LA model can be customized to fit your instructional goals.
Faculty who would like to learn more or explore adding an LA to their course can reach out to me at sumali.pandey@mnstate.edu for details or to schedule a brief consultation (perhaps over a cup of coffee or some popcorn).