THE BEGINNING - The Learning for Life (L4L) program was first implemented in the Spring of 1999. Because of limited student interest, only one or two learning partnerships took place during Spring, 1999. In the Fall of 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 Prof. 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) commit to continuing and expanding the program in the Spring of 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 the Spring of 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 facitities, 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 -- chaired by Prof. Diane Anderson. Two student coordinators recruit participants every semester, and match up the partnerships. Prof. Diane Anderson continues to teach the Literacties 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.
