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Special Interest Groups (SIGs)
 


 

CRLA has ten Special Interest Groups (SIGs), each with a specific focus within the areas that reading and learning assistance professionals' work. Joining a SIG may be a good first step in getting involved with CRLA. These groups reflect the current issues and interests of CRLA members and facilitate CRLA’s mission to provide college reading and learning professionals with an open forum to discover and exchange the leading tools and techniques to enhance student academic success.  

SIG members play a pivotal role as volunteer proposal reviewers for the annual conference. Members are also encouraged to submit their own proposals for the conference.  Each Special Interest Group has an opportunity to meet at a specially-designated time at the annual conference.

SIG members are encouraged to participate within their Special Interest Groups through conference-related activities, as well as through submitting to their SIG newsletter, e-blast, or other community forums.  

As a CRLA member you may join a SIG when you renew your membership or anytime during the year by going to the members portal of CRLA website.

Select a SIG name for more information about the group and contact information for the Leader.

SIG Leader position available!

Purpose

To share research about learning processes, especially research related to how adults learn in an academic setting. The SIG publishes a newsletter that informs members about current research in reading theory and instruction, reading processes, adult literacy, problem solving, and cognitive models describing how adults learn and remember. It also serves as an important communications tool among SIG members about research ideas, events, and periodicals pertinent to the SIG and to CRLA professional interests.

Activities

Activities include publishing two interactive newsletters each year and sponsoring SIG-related institutes, sessions, roundtables and a luncheon at the annual CRLA conference.


Purpose

To encourage CRLA members to become researchers, to aid in the development of a research base in Learning Assistance and Developmental education, and to disseminate information on current research and evaluation issues.

 

Activities

Activities include sponsoring conference activities (e.g., SIG breakfast, concurrent session or institute, business meeting) and publishing a newsletter which include addresses for relevant websites, reviews of publications, information about research topics and methods, and/or communications among SIG members.

 

SIG Leader

Emily Summers

ejsummers@txstate.edu

Purpose

To increase awareness of and provide space for discussion about advancing educational equity by improving learning opportunities and addressing disparities that result in social inequality.

Members are encouraged to share their practical experience and perspectives along with critical research and publication on any matter related to multiculturalism, broadly defined (included but not limited to race and racial identity; gender and gender identity; age; international student concerns; trauma culture; underprepared students and affirmative action programs and services, etc.). Members are also encouraged to bring to the forefront of SIG discussions those concerns that are most controversial and need space for focused deliberation within the CRLA through SIG activities, conference proposals and publications.
Activities
Activities include a publication of a quarterly newsletter, the exchange of information between members, and sharing of ideas and concerns through networking on SIG email listserve; networking at the conference; and through SIG-sponsored conference activities, such as the SIG luncheon, sessions, and a roundtable.

SIG Leader

Courtney Sloan

csloan@frederick.edu

Purpose

To create a community of support to provide and share opportunities that promote the retention
and completion rates of first-generation and non-traditional students.

 

Activities

Activities include virtual learning opportunities for participants to model for students and
colleagues on campus, newsletters, networking opportunities, and communal resources.

 

SIG Leaders

Telisha Hollamon

telishah@uab.edu

Rosemarie Woodruff

woodruff@hawaii.edu

 

Purpose

To provide an opportunity for communication among those providing tutorial services and student support in mathematics, science, and business. To encourage presentation of papers at CRLA conference and participation in related conference activities.

 

Activities

Activities include publishing a newsletter and a membership list and the exchange and sharing of ideas through SIG-sponsored conference activities, including sessions, a SIG luncheon, and a roundtable.

 

SIG Leaders

Caroline Beringer

cepotts@uark.edu

 

John Blicharz

jblichar@nymc.edu

Purpose

To share innovative materials, research, and best practices related to effective peer assistance programs, primarily tutoring and peer educating, but including other successful models (e.g. Supplemental Instruction and Peer-Led Team Learning) 

 

Activities

Activities include newsletters that include addresses for relevant websites, reviews of publications, information about research topics and methods, and/or communications among SIG members, sponsor activities at the national conference (e.g. presenting Institutes and/or concurrent sessions, sponsoring SIG breakfast/ business meetings) at the national conference, serve as a clearinghouse for tutoring/peer educating ideas, and promote the CRLA International Tutor and Peer Educator Certification Programs.

 

SIG Leaders

Rebecca Cofer

rcofer@morris.umn.edu

Emily Guetzoian

emily.guetzoian@gmail.com

Purpose

To promote a more global understanding of the issues in developmental writing and to promote the advancement of more dynamic strategies for addressing the challenges. To engage members in discussion of pressing concerns in the field. To examine the multicultural nature of basic writing in graduate programs in rhetoric and composition. To respond to concerns of all SIG members as they are presented.

Activities

Activities include a newsletter and the exchange and sharing of ideas through SIG-sponsored conference activities.

 

SIG Leaders

James Dyer

jmdyer@eou.edu

Candice Oelschlegel

c.oelschlegel@txstate.edu

SIG Leader position available!

Purpose

To provide a forum for the discussion of learning center goals, practices, supervision, and evaluation among learning assistance center managers and staff.

Activities

Activities include a quarterly newsletter and the exchange of ideas through SIG-sponsored conference activities including a concurrent session and group meeting.

Purpose

To share information, exchange news of methods, techniques, and best practices focusing on the use of technology and distance learning. The wide range of interests in this group include such topics as:

  • distance learning courses
  • hybrid classes
  • tutoring online
  • effective uses of technology in teaching
  • Learning Center Web Sites

 

Activities

Activities include SIG-sponsored activities at the CRLA Annual Conference.

 

SIG Leader

Dr. Veronica Castillo Baca

vbaca1451@gmail.com

 

Purpose

To develop a communication network of researchers and academic support professionals focused on the unique challenges of working with student-athletes. Topics include compliance and eligibility issues, student advocacy and accountability, tutoring, literacy, and career and life skills within the context of college reading and learning.

 

Activities

Activities include conference activities (e.g., concurrent session, business meeting, speakers), a monthly newsletter (e.g., relevant websites, information about research topics and methods, video links), webinars (e.g., relevant topics, research, best practices) and communication among SIG members.

 

SIG Leader

Pamela Segal

psegal@aacc.edu