Student Success Services at the University of Central Arkansas (UCA) is proud to announce that the International Center for Supplemental Instruction has once again awarded the university’s Supplemental Instruction (SI) Program the prestigious Accredited SI Program status. This certification, granted by the University of Missouri-Kansas City (UMKC), reaffirms UCA’s commitment to providing high-quality academic support to students.
To achieve this recognition, SI programs must meet rigorous standards set by the International Center, including comprehensive multi-day training for both program directors and SI leaders and ongoing planning and evaluation of SI sessions. UCA first earned accreditation in 2022, and this renewal marks its second successful certification.
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is an internationally recognized, non-remedial academic support program designed to enhance student learning. As UMKC’s International Center defines, SI integrates “what to learn” with“how to learn” by offering regularly scheduled, voluntary, out-of-class group study sessions. These sessions, facilitated by trained peer leaders, promote collaborative learning and small-group discussions, helping students master course material and essential academic skills.
Dr. Julia Winden-Fey, Director of Student Success, emphasized the significance of certification, stating, “Although UCA offered SI before seeking accreditation, we felt that working with the International Center for SI would ensure that our SI leaders receive top-tier training and that UCA students benefit from the best academic support possible.”
UCA’s SI program is led by Assistant Director for Student Success Services Jacob Christie, graduate student Winnie Dzimah, and a team of approximately 12 undergraduate SI Leaders each semester. These leaders conduct weekly study sessions for students enrolled in high-risk 1000—and 2000-level courses, including Biology, Chemistry, Accounting, and Psychology. National data from UMKC, as well as UCA’s findings, show that students who regularly participate in SI sessions not only improve their grades but also develop valuable study habits and soft skills.
“Excellent course content is reinforced in these sessions, but SI also builds critical skills like teamwork, small-group collaboration, and peer discussion,” said Jacob Christie. “This program enhances students’ engagement with both the course material and each other.”
For more information about UCA’s Supplemental Instruction program, visit uca.edu/studentsuccess/SI or contact:
- Dr. Julia Winden-Fey, Director of Student Success – juliawin@uca.edu
- Jacob Christie, Assistant Director of Student Success – SI and Tutoring Services (effective 1/1/25) – jchristie1@uca.edu
- Winnie Dzimah, Graduate Assistant for SI (Aug 2024 – May 2025)