Developing A Learner Centered Environment To Meet The Needs Of A Growing Urban Commuter Student Population

The Colleges of Engineering and Science at the University of Texas at El Paso have developed a multi-faceted system based on peer support to address the particular needs of science and engineering majors. At the core of this strategy is a strong commitment to develop the critical thinking and leadership skills of a selected cohort of undergraduate students. These students act as peer mentors, tutors, team leaders, and role models for the undergraduate science and engineering student population. A synergistic effort is achieved by bringing together the resources of the Academic Center for Engineers and Scientists (ACES), the Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) program, and the Circles of Learning for Entering Students (CircLES). Through the use of existing facilities and services available at ACES, a wide network of mentoring, coaching, and tutoring has become the principal support system for a large student commuter population. In this article we will discuss the development of this successful peer support system, the synergy generated by the ACES, REU, and CircLES staff, and the outcome of the effort.