Northwestern State University of Louisiana has initiated the Faculty Led Assistance in My Education (FLAME) program with the hope of increasing student retention rates.
FLAME is a supplemental instruction program in which NSU faculty is available to provide additional assistance and instruction for various subjects, at any time, throughout the week.
Elizabeth Pursell, academic advisor and retention coordinator, played a large part in the initiation of FLAME. Pursell believes that the FLAME program will prove to be very effective because of its flexibility.
“Sometimes office hours just aren’t at a convenient time for students, and they need help,” Pursell said. “FLAME offers a variety of times and days that make it much more schedule-friendly for students and their schedules.”
Pursell explained that the FLAME program allows students the opportunity to gain more information than that of what was taught during class hours.
“FLAME is a resource that allows students to ask the questions they wish they had thought of before departing that class meeting,” Pursell said.
Though the FLAME program is meant to act as an extension of class time, Pursell stressed that it must work in partnership with classes rather than as a replacement.
“FLAME is not meant to replace students being in and participating in classes but is meant to enhance what they learned in class and provide further support,” Pursell said.
Currently, 30 NSU faculty members have invested their time toward the FLAME program and assisted students from several class sections.
“It’s been exciting to see it go from just an idea at a committee meeting to watching students come in and sit with instructors to get the help they need,” Pursell said.
Francine Lemoine, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, worked with Pursell in the initiation of FLAME and said it is a wonderful example of how NSU systems work together to develop for the better.
“FLAME was born out of the desire to foster greater faculty/student engagement and improve student academic success and retention, made possible through a Student Government Association Grant to the College of Arts and Sciences,” Lemoine said. “I’m proud to be a part of it!”
To develop such a large project, Lemoine decided to begin with faculty who teach biology, chemistry, math and science. After this trial period, the FLAME program was extended to the majority of subjects offered at NSU.
As the program takes off, FLAME has begun to be compared to peer-tutoring.
“This program allows faculty to be available for student assistance in an environment where students may feel more comfortable seeking help, though traditionally tutoring is done by a peer or fellow student,” Lemoine said.
Peer-tutoring resources are still offered at the Eugene P. Watson Memorial Library Academic Success Center. Pursell wishes for FLAME to complement current programs by providing a different type of service to students.
“Student-led tutoring is still offered and is a valuable resource for students to use, however, FLAME provides the service of having faculty expertise in each subject where the professor is able to break down information in a more personal setting,” Pursell said.
Bobby Jordan, Academic Success Center director, explained the direct differences between FLAME and peer-tutoring programs.
“Peer tutors can help students understand course material better and give pointers based on their experience with a course, but faculty can answer questions about the content and their specific class,” Jordan said.
Jordan believes FLAME will help students’ academic success since NSU faculty are the tutors.
“FLAME allows NSU students to connect and learn from people who are experts in their field of study,” Jordan said. “Faculty should always be the ‘go-to’ for students when it comes to questions about class since they understand the material better than anyone.”
To utilize FLAME in-person, students are able to view the schedule of available faculty online and can simply click on the subject they are looking for assistance then choose a time that works for them. Students are also able to schedule a Teams meeting if they wish to utilize FLAME online. If a class is not currently offered, students are encouraged to keep checking as more classes are being added.
Pursell highly encourages all NSU students to try FLAME.
“By having faculty available to help students and supplement the information they are receiving by attending classes, students will gain a better understanding of material and hopefully feel more connected to the faculty,” Pursell said.