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Student Experience Project (SEP)

TLC’s Student Experience Project (SEP) Pilot Program is part of a national collaborative network of public universities and scholars dedicated to improving the college experience for all students by engaging instructors through communities of practice.

The TLC is partnering with the Center for Education Innovation & Learning in the Sciences (CEILS) to pilot the SEP program at UCLA during the winter 2025 quarter. The SEP Pilot Program uses a community of practice (CoP) model to translate research on belonging and growth mindset into specific actions to create equitable learning environments for their students. A CoP is a group of people who share a common interest, goal, or area of expertise, and come together to learn, collaborate, and problem-solve.

The pilot program will include a CoP of 10 instructors who will collaborate to achieve the following goals:

  • Cultivate inclusive learning environments: Develop and implement inclusive and equity-focused teaching practices that cultivate a sense of belonging and community among students.
  • Foster student engagement and growth: Develop and implement strategies to increase student engagement and growth mindset through syllabus redesign and student feedback efforts.
  • Participate in and reflect on CoPs: Actively participate in the pilot program for pedagogy-focused communities of practice. Share your experiences, challenges, and strategies to cultivate equitable learning environments for students.
  • Assess and reflect on student feedback: Use data from TLC-developed surveys to track student engagement and reflect on pedagogical practice.
  • Share insights on the faculty experience: Share feedback with the TLC about your experience with the SEP pilot program, including its curriculum and community of practice framework.

As a member of the SEP CoP, participants commit to:

  • Attend an orientation in December 2024.
  • Complete three online workshop modules on inclusive teaching practices and incorporate small and manageable changes to their course design
  • Initiate three short surveys designed by TLC for students enrolled in their undergraduate course during the winter 2025 quarter.
  • Attend three CoP meetings in the winter quarter to discuss the implementation of inclusive teaching practices in their course design, survey results from their students, and exchange ideas with fellow instructors in the CoP.

Eligibility:

  • All instructors of record who are teaching an undergraduate course during the winter 2025 quarter may apply to participate in the SEP Pilot Program.
  • No more than 10 instructors will be selected to participate in the SEP CoP pilot.

FAQs

  • How are instructors recognized for participating in the SEP Pilot?

    Participants who complete the SEP Pilot Program and meet all requirements will receive $500 in professional development funds from the TLC. This funding will be transferred directly to the participant’s home department and may be used at the participant and department’s discretion for professional development, equipment, research, or a stipend. It is the responsibility of the respective departments to ensure that these funds are administered in compliance with university personnel and purchasing policies and procedures.

  • What are the important dates to remember?

    Fall 2024

    • October 16: SEP Information Session (See below to RSVP.)
    • October 22: SEP applications are due
    • Week of November 4: Notifications of acceptance are sent out
    • Week of December 2 (week ten) December 9 (finals week): SEP Community of Practice
      Orientation

    Winter 2025

    • January 24 at 11:30 am – 1:00 pm: In-person CoP meeting
    • February 13 at 3:00 – 4:30 pm: Remote CoP meeting
    • March 19 at 11:30 – 1:00 pm: In-person CoP meeting

Learn More

For additional information, review the SEP at UCLA program description or contact Lisa Felipe at lfelipe@teaching.ucla.edu.

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