This certificate program is designed to elevate the specific student populations enrolled at USC to help faculty, instructors, and teaching graduate students understand the characteristics and backgrounds of the students enrolled in their classes. The sessions will utilize institutional and national data to contextualize the challenges USC students face, and each session will dedicate time to exploring associated best practices and opportunities leading to student success through activities and resource-sharing.
Each session will emphasize the following:
- Overview of identified USC student population(s)
- Data Overview (national and USC-specific, when applicable)
- Discussion/Activity on observed opportunities when working with student populations
- Focus on Faculty/Teaching Support
- Recommendations for student populations moving forward (activities and resources)
Program Requirements
Faculty, instructors, and graduate students who participate in five or more workshops will receive a certificate of completion and a letter of commendation.
Participants are required to attend:
- Two (2) required workshops
- Three (3) elective workshops
Participants will have 4 academic semesters (not including summer semesters) to complete the certificate.
Participants will also be eligible for additional recognition and participation opportunities as the Carolina Experience initiative continues to develop.
Required Workshops Offered Fall 2024
Tuesday, October 1, 1:30pm - 2:45pm - In-Person
This interactive session will explore the needs, demographics, and attitudes of today’s first-year students, both nationally and locally. Through a facilitated discussion and game show format, participants will learn more about the realities and needs of students entering college in 2024. Register
Tuesday, November 19, 1:15pm - 2:30pm - In-Person
With the launch of Carolina Experience in 2024, a heightened emphasis has been placed on understanding and supporting the experiences of sophomore, junior, transfer, and senior student populations through an emphasis on community development and career readiness. To help in these endeavors, longitudinal qualitative and quantitative data collected from the Student Success Center has been instrumental in better understanding these target populations.
What are the common experiences of students in the middle years of college? What are the biggest challenges they face and what do they most look forward to? How does this align with the national research on these populations? And most importantly- how can this information be used to support their overall experience at USC and in support of student engagement, including experiential learning, and career readiness?
We will go over the assessment findings and what specialized resources are already in place at USC to support these populations, as well as provide recommendations for instructors and course-based activities. Finally, we will wrap up this session with group discussion on suggestions to further support the target populations through the Carolina Experience, including additional ways for campus stakeholders to get involved. Register
Elective Workshops Offered Fall 2024
Thursday, September 26, 11:45am - 1:00pm - In-Person
Join us for a Mutual Expectations Discussion on “Why Beyond the Classroom Experiences at USC Matter” during our September session. This engaging dialogue will focus on intentional strategies for bridging academic studies with extracurricular activities. We will explore the concept of experiential learning and discuss its various forms. Additionally, we will consider how faculty can facilitate these connections for students.
Enjoy a lively discussion with colleagues and students. Complimentary lunch will be provided. Register
Thursday, October 10, 11:45am - 1:00pm - In-Person
Join us for a Mutual Expectations Discussion on the topic of free speech on campus, both inside and outside the classroom. This workshop will delve into how we can engage in respectful dialogue, even when we disagree. Students, faculty, and staff will explore expectations for classroom discussions, particularly on topics with diverse and opposing viewpoints. Our goal is to find common ground for respectful conversation and engagement.
Enjoy this lively discussion with colleagues and students. Complimentary lunch will be provided. Register
Tuesday, November 12, 11:45am - 1:00pm - In-Person
Join us for a Mutual Expectations Discussion where we will explore participants' views on the appropriate use of AI on campus. When is ChatGPT appropriate, and when is it not? What other AI tools are being used beyond ChatGPT? Should we establish common expectations as a campus community for AI usage?
Enjoy this engaging discussion with fellow students and faculty. Complimentary lunch will be provided.
Sponsored by the Carolina Experience, the Center for Teaching Excellence, and the Office of Student Conduct and Academic Integrity. Register
How to Earn a Certificate of Completion
- Select a certificate you want to earn.
- Review the required workshops.
- Register for and attend all required workshops within the time frame specified.
- Look for an email from [email protected] with your digital certificate.
How to Check Your Progress
Participants can check their progress online by following the steps below.
- Log into Registration and Tracking System for Workshops and Events using your CTE Training Account credentials.
- Click on the specific learning plan for the certificate of completion program you would like to view. The learning plan button is located on the left-hand side in the menu screen.
- Click “View” to generate a personalized learning plan status report. The report will show the workshops you have taken, and remaining workshop requirements.
The learning plans also provide a status progress update.
- Partial means you have met some of the requirements for a specific certificate of completion program.
- Complete means you have met all the requirements for a specific certificate of completion program.
- Not Started means you have not completed any of the requirements for a specific certificate of completion program.
Completed your certificate?
At the conclusion of each semester, reports are run to determine who has completed each certificate. Digital Certificates will be emailed. If you do not receive your certificate by the middle of the following semester, kindly contact [email protected] for assistance.