Applied Economics Teaching Resources

an AAEA Journal

Agricultural and Applied Economics Association

Teaching Education Commentary

Curating Campus Support Resources to Provide Easy Access for All Students

Kristin Kiesel(a), Bwalya Lungu(a), and Mark Wilson(a)
(a)University of California, Davis

JEL Codes: A30
Keywords: Achievement gap, anxiety, learning outcomes student resources, support services, stress

Publish Date: September 28, 2020
Volume 2, Issue 4

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Abstract

Anxiety and stress levels experienced by students on college campuses have increased over the last decade. The current COVID-19 pandemic and increased racial tensions have likely exacerbated these feelings further. In an effort to improve student well-being and learning outcomes across a large and diverse student body, we created a repository of information on support services offered to students at the University of California, Davis. Starting with a list of questions we encountered in faculty and staff interactions with students in the Managerial Economics major, we developed a frequently asked questions (FAQ) page that provides brief answers and links to important resources. This resource page can be integrated into online course sites or linked in syllabi; serves as a reference for instructors; and gives all students access to crucial information when navigating life on campus. We describe the initial design, discuss the feedback received after piloting it with students, and explain resulting revisions. The presented usage data indicate that students, faculty, and staff are actively engaging with this resource. Our shared experiences offer important insights for faculty and staff at other universities committed to addressing the achievement gap in economics and higher education in general.

About the Authors: Kristin Kiesel is an Assistant Professor of Teaching in the Agricultural and Resource Economics Department at the University of California, Davis (Corresponding Author: kiesel@ucdavis.edu). Bwalya Lungu is an Assistant Professor of Teaching in the Food Science and Technology Development at the University of California, Davis. Mark Wilson is an Instructional Designer and Educational Technologist with Academic Technology Services. Acknowledgements: We thank Susan E. Ebeler, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Academic Programs, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, for her continuous support of our working group and this project. We also thank our graduate student assistants, Kayce Mastrup and Larissa Carmel Saco, for their support and involvement in this project.

Copyright is governed under Creative Commons CC BY-NC-SA

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