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Learning Assistants

Semester Kickstart Learning Assistants are essential to the program's success. As peer mentors, they exemplify academic achievement, personal integrity, and dedication to the Cal Poly community. Their role is crucial in guiding students and maintaining daily communication with staff, faculty, and program coordinators. Most Learning Assistants are Semester Kickstart alumni and many also belong to the University Honors Program.

The application period for 2025 Learning Assistants has closed.

If you have questions, feel free to email kickstart@calpoly.edu.

Attend classes with the students

Manage study sessions

Plan/attend activities and much more

Semester Kickstart Learning Assistants 2025

Andrea H.

Chloe P.

Clara S.

Evelyn C.

Emily K.

Kaelyn M.

Katie K.

Lily C.

Luke R.

Nathan M.

Olivia B.

Olivia H.

Rayan T.

Sofia H.

Stone R.

Responsibilities & Qualifications

Collaborate with Semester Kickstart instructors and program staff to support the success of participants, program activities and events
Attend class for the assigned academic course offered by the program and facilitate study sessions to support material learned in class
Organize and implement social activities for students to attend evenings and weekends
Support general program presentations, recruitment and student outreach and extracurricular activities
Attend regular staff meetings
Meet regularly with instructor of the assigned course
Other duties as assigned, will include evenings and weekends

Cal Poly cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above.
Ability to take the initiative and work well with minimal supervision.
Ability to communicate effectively and be sensitive to all program participants.
Ability to work as a collaborator with students, peers, staff, and faculty.
Strong overall awareness of campus resources and topics important to new students.
Position will require 30-40 hours/week and may include weekend and evening hours.
May be enrolled in units during summer provided that the course dates do not occur during the learning assistant training and the program dates.
Must NOT be enrolled in other programs, courses, activities or have another job during the Semester Kickstart Program.
As a Learning Assistant, you are considered a ‘mandated reporter’ under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and are required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.
Must complete required campus training prior to the start of the program.
Must pass an FBI/DOJ Background check and get a Live Scan at Cal Poly Police Department prior to the start of the program.
Must not be enrolled in more than 5 total units of coursework at Cal Poly during summer 2025 (this includes any portion of the summer 2025).
Must not be enrolled in other programs and/or courses during Semester Kickstart Program (August 4 – September 10, 2025).

Study Sessions

Study sessions provide optional learning environments outside of class to supplement material taught by the course instructor. No new material is taught in study sessions; rather students are provided with an opportunity collaborate with one another to further their academic success in the program. Learning Assistants guide discussion of the material, provide learning activities, and challenge students to critically engage with the course material.

Study sessions will vary by course. Learning assistants attend all weekly class sessions so they can focus on that week’s content, not on general review. Learning Assistants are paid for prep time of 2 hours/study session and are expected to prepare collaborative, challenging activities to foster student learning. There is no tutoring involved. What study sessions involve:

Discussion, debate and practice of specific course topics
Focused and structured study time
Collaborative learning
Critical thinking and application
Study skills in context
Opportunities to complete course assignments, as needed

What study sessions do NOT involve:

Individual Tutoring
Excessive homework time
Lecture – not re-teaching material

Questions?

Contact EPaCE at (805) 756-2053 or kickstart@calpoly.edu

Semester Kickstart