About Learning for Life
The Beginning
The Learning for Life (L4L) program was first implemented in Spring 1999. Because of limited student interest, only one or two learning partnerships took place. In the Fall 1999, however, Learning for Life began operating in earnest. This success was related to the fact that student participation in L4L was a mandatory field work component of the Education course Literacies and Social Identities, taught by Assistant Professor of Education Diane Anderson. The 15 students in the course were all paired up with one or two staff members with whom they worked for the entire semester.
Learning for Life Takes Off
Because of their positive experiences with the Learning for Life program, two students, Susie Ansell '02 and Liz Derickson '01, committed to continuing and expanding the program in Spring 2000. Thanks to recruiting efforts in the student and staff populations, the program involved approximately 25 students and 25 staff members. Higher enrollment in the program was also related to increasing awareness about the program,and to spreading word of student/staff satisfaction with the program. In Spring 2000, L4L student coordinators Susie Ansell and Liz Derickson won a Eugene M. Lang Opportunity Grant. The goal of their Lang project was the institutionalization and dissemination of the Learning for Life Program.
Ongoing Support
Learning for Life has been made possible by the support of many different people and departments across campus. Learning partnerships have used the College's library, public computers, athletics facilities, and countless other resources. Some critical support for L4L comes from the Human Resources Department, staff supervisors, senior staff, and the Lang Center for Civic and Social Responsibility.
Learning for Life Today
L4L is now coordinated by a Steering Committee, comprised of students and staff and chaired by Diane Anderson. Two student coordinators recruit participants every semester and match up the partnerships. Anderson continues to teach the Literacies and Social Identities course, which requires students to participate in L4L. L4L participants are regular presenters at the annual SCALE (Student Coalition for Action in Literacy Education) conference in North Carolina.
