Student Experiences Project
2026-2027 CAS Community of Practice to Improve Student Experience.
Participation in this initial cohort is by invitation as we test and refine the model.
Over a decade of research in social psychology indicates that learning mindsets play a role in students’ persistence and achievement; these mindsets are not fixed, but are shaped by messages students receive from society, from daily interactions and observations, and from their experiences in school. The Student Experience Project (SEP) is a national effort to foster a positive learning environment in the classroom and increase a student’s likelihood of persevering through academic challenges to graduation. Data from the SEP collected in 2020 - 2021 demonstrates that when student experiences in the classroom improve over the course of the term, their likelihood of earning an A or B in the course increased, and their likelihood of earning a D, F, or W (formally withdrawing from the course) decreased.
As part of the Student Experience Project, CAS is launching a community of practice for faculty interested in collaborating with peers on campus to implement evidence-based teaching practices to improve student experience. Practices include revising syllabi, reviewing and revising course policies, utilizing new grading and feedback processes, and other evidence-based approaches that increase sense of belonging, convey a growth mindset, and foster institutional trust. Faculty will have the opportunity to get frequent student feedback about their classroom experiences using Ascend, a survey tool that helps faculty reflect on and improve their teaching practices. By participating in the community of practice, faculty will build expertise in teaching practices to improve student success for students of all backgrounds at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
- $500 stipend for participating in Fall 2026
- $500 stipend for participating in Spring 2027
- Individual coaching session with an Instructional Designer
Activities for Community of Practice Participants
As part of Fall 2026 participation in the community of practice, instructors will:
- Complete the SEP Syllabus Review Module (asynchronously over summer 2026)
- Revise your course syllabi to include messaging and language proven to increase sense of belonging and growth mindset among students.
- Review your course policies to ensure equitable experiences for all students.
- Implement practices to establish a classroom environment where all students feel welcome and supported to succeed.
- Utilize approaches to giving critical feedback in a way that engenders trust, increases academic engagement, and helps close academic outcome gaps.
- Survey students 3 times throughout the term using Ascend.
- Meet with your small group three times following survey results.
- Take a brief end of semester survey.
- Participate in an orientation one week before classes begin.
- Engage in 1-on-1 consulting with an Instructional Designer.
- Attend a 1 hour full-group meeting December 1.
Fall 2026 Timeline
| Date | SEP Activity |
|---|---|
| May 15 | Accept your place as a SEP fellow |
| July 5 | Complete SEP Participant Course Information and Small Group Preference |
| Aug 14 | Complete the online SEP Syllabus Review Module at your own pace (< 2 hrs) |
| Aug 18 | SEP Orientation (10am-noon followed by lunch noon-1pm. Brace 105) |
| Aug 31-Sept 4 | Distribute Ascend Survey 1st time |
| Sept 8, 9, or 11 | Participate in Small Group* meeting, Oldfather 1207 (3:30-4:30pm) |
| Sept 28-Oct 2 | Distribute Ascend Survey 2nd time |
| Oct 6, 7, or 9 | Participate in Small Group* Meeting, Oldfather 1207 (3:30-4:30pm) |
| Nov 2-6 | Distribute Ascend Survey 3rd time |
| Nov 10, 11, or 13 | Participate in Small Group* Meeting, Oldfather 1207 (3:30-4:30) |
| Dec 1 | Full Group meeting, 3:30-4:30pm, Brace 105 |
*Small group meetings will be in Oldfather 1207:
- Tuesday, 3:30-4:30 on Sept. 8, Oct. 6, and Nov. 10 led by Jason Kautz
- Wednesday, 3:30-4:30 on Sept. 9, Oct. 7, and Nov. 11 led by Morgan Palmer
- Friday, 3:30-4:30 on Sept 11, Oct. 9, and Nov. 13 led by Jackie Omelian
Continued Participation
Instructors who choose to continue in Spring 2027 will be expected to
- Take a brief end of semester survey
- Deploy the SEP Ascend Survey in a large lecture course three times during the semester
- Meet with their small group three times following survey results
- Engage in 1-on-1 consulting with an Instructional Designer.
- Attend a full-group meeting in early April
- Join a celebration with campus leaders, department chairs, and invited faculty guests to recognize the semester’s achievements
- Generate a product (alone or as part of a group). Products might include:
- Creating a poster for the final celebration.
- Presenting at a college roundtable or departmental meeting about lessons learned from the experience.
- Writing up the results for a Teacher Connect and/or Nebraska Today article.