Application Process
About the Partnership Experience
Students and faculty are paired for a semester-long collaboration focused on a shared teaching and learning goal. While faculty and student partners take on different roles, both engage in collaborative, reflective work throughout the semester.
Student partners serve as paid pedagogical collaborators who provide structured student perspectives, conduct classroom observations, and engage in ongoing dialogue about teaching and learning.
Faculty partners are compensated for their time and collaborate with a student partner to explore teaching practices, course design, and classroom experiences from a student-informed perspective.
About the Faculty Partner Role
Through ongoing collaboration with a student partner and the Center for Teaching Excellence, faculty partners engage in reflective, inquiry-based conversations about teaching and learning and consider ways to enhance student engagement and success.
What do Faculty Partners Do?
Core Responsibilities
- Attend two required orientation sessions
- Identify a teaching and learning focus centered on student engagement and/or inclusive teaching practices that can be addressed within 1–2 semesters with a student partner
- Meet weekly with their student partner to engage in collaborative discussions informed by student observations and feedback
- Participate in structured, formative classroom observations conducted by a trained student partner using the PAITE (Protocol for Advancing Inclusive Teaching Efforts) observation tool
- Use real-time, student-informed feedback to support ongoing improvements in teaching practice and classroom climate
- Meet monthly with other faculty partners and the Center for Teaching Excellence to reflect on progress and share insights
Time Commitment
Faculty typically commit:
- Up to 1 hour per week meeting with their student partner
- Monthly 1-hour faculty partner meetings
- Approximately 20 hours per semester
Qualifications:
- Be willing to collaborate with a student partner in a reciprocal learning relationship
- Be committed to reflective and student-engaged teaching practices
- Be open to formative feedback on teaching and classroom experiences
- Engage consistently throughout the partnership semester(s)
- Maintain professional communication and confidentiality
- Participate in CTE-supported partnership activities and meetings
About the Student Partner Role
Through classroom observations, collaborative discussions and partnership projects, student partners help faculty better understand student experiences while developing valuable professional skills.
What do Student Partners Do?
Core Responsibilities
- Attend two required orientation sessions
- Meet weekly with their faculty partner
- Conduct weekly classroom observations
- Participate in weekly CTE meetings focused on reflection and discussion of teaching and learning practices
- Receive training on the PAITE (Protocol for Advancing Inclusive Teaching Efforts) and conduct structured classroom observations using the PAITE observation protocol
- Support partnership projects aligned with teaching and learning goals, including collecting and synthesizing student feedback when applicable
Time Commitment
Students typically commit:
- Up to 5 hours per week
- Approximately 70-75 hours per semester
Qualifications:
- Be a full-time undergraduate student (sophomore, junior, or senior standing only)
- Demonstrate reliability, accountability and professionalism
- Be willing to engage in reflective and collaborative work
- Communicate effectively and respectfully with faculty and peers
- Maintain confidentiality and professional conduct
- Be open to learning about teaching and learning practices
Application Timeline
The application process includes four steps: Apply, Interview, Evaluate, and Pair. Faculty and student applications are reviewed to assess alignment in interests, goals, and commitment to partnership before participants are matched.
Why Participate?
Interested in why faculty and students engage in this work?
Explore the benefits and purpose of the Students as Partners Program.