The national Student Experience Project (SEP) is being offered at several University of Minnesota campuses in fall 2026. The SEP centers on student belonging and engagement to increase student success and learning.
We invite participation from faculty and instructors interested in increasing their student engagement, connection or academic success by making small changes to their teaching practices. Those teaching in fall 2026 are highly encouraged to participate.
The Student Experience Project is offered as a partnership between the Center for Educational Innovation and academic leadership across the University of Minnesota: Academic Affairs (Duluth), Academic Affairs (Morris) and the Office of Undergraduate Education (Twin Cities).
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 improved 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.
The fall 2026 Student Experience Project Community of Practice will kick off with an orientation workshop in May after the semester ends. There will be some summer syllabus revision work. Then there will be monthly gatherings during fall semester as you implement new practices in your courses. Exact dates and times will be determined based on the availability of those who fill out the interest form.
Outcomes
- Students find a stronger sense of connection, community and intention within the course, which leads to better academic performance and outcomes. Data from the SEP collected in 2020–2021 demonstrates that when student experiences in the classroom improved 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 a university, having fewer students with DFNW grades in our courses, specifically those from historically marginalized groups, increases our retention and students’ ability to achieve their academic and career goals.
- Participants build a community of individuals to share experiences and ideas, and expand and deepen their pedagogical practices.
Format and Time Commitment
The Student Experience Project Community of Practice invites faculty to engage in a combination of formats to transform their pedagogy. Each month, learning begins with self-paced modules from Encouraging Connections in the Classroom. The strategies presented are then discussed and deepened, considering context and nuance during a Community of Practice gathering. Gathering real-time student feedback is encouraged throughout the semester, as the focus through the SEP is on improving the student learning experience in one or more of the current courses participants are teaching.
The specific activities and commitments include:
- A May orientation and workshop after the semester ends (two hours)
- Summer self-paced syllabus review based on an online module (five to eight hours)
- Fall semester: August–December monthly community of practice workshops to apply new pedagogical approaches learned via self-paced online modules (TBD hours per month)
- Optional spring semester: January–April monthly community of practice workshops to discuss successes and challenges in class (1.5 hours per month); May celebration for all.
Participants who attend at least 75% of the activities receive a letter for their academic file that acknowledges participation in the SEP Community of Practice.
Who Should Attend
Faculty and instructors who are currently teaching any size course in any modality are welcome to participate. It is recommended, but not essential, that participants have the ability to modify syllabus language for the course they want to study through this SEP Community of Practice.
Campus Specific Information
Check these links for dates, times and other details unique to each campus.
Questions?
Contact the Center for Educational Innovation at [email protected].