Connecting Faculty to Student Academic Partners

The Canvas Shell Exploration gives SAPs the chance to provide unbiased, student-centered feedback on a course’s Canvas layout. SAPs are added to the class shell with TA access and follow a structured protocol to guide their review. To maintain objectivity, we skip a pre-meeting and allow SAPs to explore independently first. After their review, they’ll schedule a meeting with the professor to debrief and offer suggestions.

The classroom observation process begins with an introductory email to the professor, outlining the Student Partner Program, requesting the class schedule, and guiding the selection of suitable sessions for observation. After the professor responds, SPs send a follow-up email to confirm the observation week, share availability, and restate the purpose of the visit. The specific observation date is not disclosed to maintain an unbiased assessment. During the visit, SPs attend class as regular students, noting student engagement, teaching strategies, inclusivity, group work, and overall classroom dynamics. If possible, they briefly connect with the professor afterward to share initial impressions and clarify points. A final follow-up email offers to schedule a debrief meeting.

The Long-Term Partnership offers an opportunity for extended collaboration between professors and Student Partners throughout the semester. This model includes 2–3 meetings per month, allowing for ongoing, personalized support. Unlike other protocols, the structure of this partnership is co-created by the professor and the student partners, with goals, communication style, and project focus areas decided collaboratively at the outset. Because the specific needs of the professor shape each partnership, the work and outcomes are highly individualized. New protocols, tools, or strategies developed through this partnership may be shared (with the professor’s permission) and adapted for use in other classrooms or departments. This allows for broader application of successful practices across the university while maintaining the individualized support at the heart of the program.