The Graduate Teaching Academy: Implementing graduate learning communities

The graduate teaching academy at Texas A&M University has provided a graduate student learning community across all academic disciplines focused on preparing students for future faculty positions. PhD candidates in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics constitute the majority of program participants. Participation statistics and surveys during the 2005, 2006, and 2007 academic years indicate that program participation has doubled and student retention has improved based on the establishment of learning community groups led by experienced graduate students in the early stages of each program cycle. Senior graduate students in the second level learning community plan, implement, and assess the overall program as an academic unit and participate in center for teaching excellence programs, courses offered through the center for the integration of research, teaching, and learning network, and teaching as research projects with faculty mentors.