Housatonic Community College’s (HCC) Supplemental Instruction (SI) program was recognized by the Community College Futures Assembly, naming the program as a finalist for its prestigious 2020 Bellwether Award.

Housatonic Community College’s SI program develops academic support communities of higher-level thinkers and self-empowered learners. This self-selecting, course-specific, peer-led program promotes active, collaborative learning involving critical thinking and transferable study skills. Its efforts help students pass courses at a higher rate, and improves their retention rate.

HCC English Professor and SI Coordinator Kristen Carley, Student SI Leader Althea Taylor and HCC’s Dean of Academic Affairs Robin Avant attended the Bellwether Awards Presentation this week in San Antonio, Texas. The representatives delivered a presentation about the Supplemental Instruction program to a panel of judges under the category of Instructional Program and Services.

“It is an honor to be among the finalists for this national award,” said Avant. “We’re proud to share our program, and its dramatic results, with schools across the nation.”

The Bellwether Awards are widely regarded as the nation’s most competitive and prestigious recognition for community colleges, and are the only awards evaluated by experts and practitioners in the field. Bellwether College Consortium through the Community College Futures Assembly addresses the best practices at community colleges. Thirty finalist colleges in three categories were competitively chosen by a national panel of judges to compete for the coveted award.

“HCC’s Supplemental Instruction Program is a perfect example of our innovative initiatives that support student success,” said Dr. Thomas G. Coley, Acting HCC President. “Students participating in the program grasp difficult material in a safe environment led by their peers. The impact is improved understanding, higher grades, and greater confidence to further their education.”

Caption For Photo Above: Left to right, HCC’s Dean of Academic Affairs Robin Avant, HCC English Professor and SI Coordinator Kristen Carley and Student SI Leader Althea Taylor attended the Community College Futures Assembly as Bellwether Award finalists.