Student Enrichment

We are here to support you at all stages of your academic career, from figuring out how to be successful in your first year, to celebrating your achievements as a senior. We know that strong students learn how to learn, and we look forward to deepening and enriching your academic journey through a variety of programs and resources:

TEACHING FELLOWS

Teaching Fellows (TFs) are peer-learning facilitators who are nominated by faculty and trained by the CTL to provide ongoing learning support for all students.

Teaching Fellows hold regular, group-oriented drop-in hours Sunday through Thursday evenings and are available to all students. No need for an appointment; please see links on the left for specific hours and locations.

What we do

Teaching Fellows use a collaborative inquiry model to help students understand course content. They direct conversations, ask questions to challenge students and gauge students’ foundational knowledge, provide feedback, and suggest study strategies.

How it works

The Director of the CTL oversees the program, in collaboration with Faculty Liaisons in each department. Lead Teaching Fellows are experienced Teaching Fellows who train and mentor new Teaching Fellows, and support the Director in developing the program.

Interested in becoming a Teaching Fellow?

Students are nominated each year by faculty in their department, and are hired and trained by the Director of the CTL and the Lead Teaching Fellows.

For more information about the Teaching Fellows, contact:

Ruth Shields
Director, Center for Teaching and Learning
shields@hws.edu
315-781-3959

STUDY TABLES

study

Study Tables are group sessions led by faculty-nominated student facilitators where students can access small-group learning support. Unlike Teaching Fellows, Study Tables are course-specific rather than supporting a whole department.

WHAT WE DO

Study Table Facilitators use a collaborative inquiry model to help students understand course content. They direct conversations, ask questions to challenge students and gauge students’ foundational knowledge, provide feedback, and suggest study strategies. Facilitators work closely with faculty to best support students on concepts, readings and assignments.

TO REQUEST A STUDY TABLE

Professors can request a Study Table before the start of the semester either for the whole semester, or in the short term to guide students through a particular project. Students can also request a Study Table in courses not supported by Teaching Fellows.

For more information, or to request a Study Table, please contact:

Ruth Shields
Director, Center for Teaching and Learning
shields@hws.edu
315-781-3959

WRITING FELLOWS

Writing Fellows are trained peer facilitators who can support you at any stage of the writing process, from brainstorming, to organizing your argument, to polishing your final draft. Writing Fellows provide productive feedback on written work and offer strategies for writing in all skill levels and across all disciplines.

You can meet with a Writing Fellow with or without an appointment:

Writing Fellows are available for appointments and throughout the week in the Writers’ Nook (on the main floor of the Library).

Come to Drop-ins

Writing Fellows hold drop-in hours:
Monday through Thursday 7-9 p.m. in the Writers’ Nook (on the main floor of the Library)
Sunday 7-9 p.m. in the Adams Intercultural Center

Interested in becoming a Writing Fellow?

Writing Fellows first complete the Writing Colleague Program through the Department of Writing and Rhetoric. Writing Colleagues who have completed at least one placement are invited to apply to be Writing Fellows through a call for applications sent out each spring.

For more information about the Writing Fellows, please contact:

Ingrid Keenan
Associate Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning
keenan@hws.edu
315-781-3832

Study Mentors

Study Mentors are peer facilitators who can help you develop your learning and time management strategies and guide you through the transition to college life. Study Mentors meet one-on-one with students and use a problem-solving approach to help you examine your current practices, suggest some new strategies, and make sure you are connected with all the resources available to you on campus. Some students meet once with a Study Mentor, others schedule regular check-ins to stay on track. It’s up to you: Study Mentors will meet you where you are and help you set and reach your academic goals.

Study Mentors are available for appointments and throughout the week in the Center for Teaching and Learning. Some appointments are also available over Zoom.

If you are a varsity athlete, you will be supported by an Athletic Study Mentor.

Interested in becoming a Study Mentor?

Each spring, the CTL puts out a call for applications to the sophomore class; students typically work as Study Mentors through their Junior and Senior years.

For more information about the Study Mentors, please contact:

Ingrid Keenan
Associate Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning
keenan@hws.edu
315-781-3832

Athletic Study Mentors

Athletic Study Mentors (ASMs) are upper-year athletes who work with their first year teammates to develop learning and time management strategies, and guide them through the transition to college life. If you are a first year varsity athlete, your Athletic Study Mentor will support you through workshops and one-on-one meetings, and is a great resource for all your questions about life at HWS.

ASMs are nominated by coaches and are embedded within their team, but are hired, trained, and supported by the Assistant Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning.

ASMs are there to support you through workshops and one-on-one meetings, for even just to answer your questions, from before you arrive on campus throughout your first year.

Athletic Study Mentors for the 2023-24 year are:

  • William Smith Basketball: Brooke Jarvis 
  • William Smith Bowling: Alex George
  • William Smith Field Hockey: Laurens Van Alen 
  • William Smith Ice Hockey: Alex George 
  • William Smith Lacrosse: Kate Risley 
  • William Smith Soccer: Evan Amendum
  • William Smith Volleyball: Elaina Wamhoff 
  • Hobart Basketball: Matthew Brand 
  • Hobart Football: Ryan Hinman, Ethan Kowalski, Jordon Walker, and Joel Kraft
  • Hobart Ice Hockey: Artem Buzoverya and Matthieu Wuth 
  • Hobart Lacrosse: Will Corbett and Nicholas Gullace 
  • Hobart Soccer: Guillermo Castaneda
  • Hobart and William Smith Cross Country: Kayleigh Aquino
  • Hobart and William Smith Rowing: Aidan Vanek
  • Hobart and William Smith Squash: Sayf Elhawary 
  • Hobart and William Smith Swimming and Diving: Tori Smith 
  • Hobart and William Smith Tennis: Sean Pesin
  • Hobart and William Smith Sailing: Heather Kerns

Interested in becoming an Athletic Study Mentor?

ASMs are nominated by your coach as Sophomores or Juniors, and are hired and trained by the Center for Teaching and Learning.

For more information about the Athletic Study Mentors, please contact:

Ingrid Keenan
Associate Director of the Center for Teaching and Learning
keenan@hws.edu
315-781-3832

First Year Writing Prize

With the help of a generous donation, the Center for Teaching and Learning and the Writing Colleague program sponsor a yearly First Year Writing Prize that celebrates outstanding writing by First Year students.

Each year, faculty nominate written assignments in a wide range of genres: past nominations have included research papers, narrative essays, poetry, lab reports, even blog entries and podcasts. Students are invited to revise and submit their piece, and all submissions are evaluated by a group of jurors from across the colleges. Up to three winners receive a monetary prize and publication, and all students who submit nominated essays are recognized at a reception.

Past Winners

  • 2023: Cam Crowell and Laura Thérien
  • 2022: Sophia Mughal
  • 2021: Umama Ahmed and Kayla Powers
  • 2020: Ian Albreski, Jackson Danforth and Anne Husband
  • 2019: Sarim Karim, Camille McGriff and Casey Pupek
  • 2018: Britta Goncarovs, Bethany Kharrazi and Grace Ruble
  • 2017: Bart Lahiff and Kevin Lin
  • 2016: William Samayoa and Parke Schweiter
  • 2015: Joseph Harris, Charles Moore-Gillon and Julia Sipos
  • 2014: Kimberly Gutierrez, Tiantian Qin and Taylor Rugg
  • 2013: Emily Fearey, Kristin Ressel and Brian Schimmel