FIN Commons

College of the Siskiyous is focusing on what helps students become more intrinsically motivated as they navigate the intersection between student learning and students’ identities as outsiders or insiders in the college environment. The Inquiry team will use video footage to capture student reflections and experiences, as well as classroom discussions and athletic activities. One student group to be included are African-American student athletes adjusting to the isolation they find in the small rural community of Weed, California near the Oregon border. Another group will be students of Math who started at the college with Pre-Algebra and who are currently enrolled in Intermediate Algebra from a course called “Math for the Confused,” who will describe and analyze their experiences and what helped them succeed in their math courses. A group of students from a Leadership Training class will dialog with a group from a Social Psychology class to explore ways students can become intrinsically motivated. By closely examining data on students’ performance and experiences, the Inquiry team aims to identify blind spots in the college’s approach to basic skills and, ultimately, find ways to “light the fire” in students with histories of low educational attainment.

Team Leader:
Renata Funke / Director, Yreka Campus
530-842-1245 Fax: 530-841-5221
funke@siskiyous.edu

Team Members:
Les Courtemanche / Football/Track assistant coach/instructor of a Leadership Training class
Deborah Randolph / Math instructor of a “Math for the Confused” class (pre-pre-algebra level)
Eve Thompson / English
Patrice Thatcher / ECE Program Coordinator
Catey Olivolo / Nursing
Mark Oliver / Videography