University of Nebraska-Lincoln senior Zoe Engelbert helps support finance students and assists Yijia Lin, V.J. Skutt Distinguished Professor and professor of finance, in the Principles of Individual and Corporate Risk Management (FINA 338) course as a learning assistant. The paid position through the Teaching and Learning Center at the College of Business hones her critical thinking and communication skills while her work helps strengthen the student experience.

“Learning assistants support both students taking a course and the professors teaching them, contributing to a positive educational experience. They can work with students who require extra help, provide individualized attention and adapt to diverse student needs," said Lin, who has worked with Engelbert for three semesters. "Zoe became familiar with my teaching style, expectations and course materials. This consistency allows for smoother collaboration and better alignment in supporting students."

Working with Lin, Engelbert hosts expanded weekly office hours for students to drop in and ask questions. She also explains class concepts and helps students with homework.

“Students have many different learning styles, so I had to shift my way of thinking to explain a concept in multiple ways. I am a very number-focused analytical person, but I need to explain these complex topics in a way that makes sense to the student, not just me," said Engelbert, who plans to graduate in December with an actuarial science major and finance and Spanish minors. “What's amazing is that I can transfer this skill into my future career as an actuary, where I will have to explain technical concepts in a more high-level way for management and non-actuaries.”

A top student in Lin's course the semester prior to being hired as a learning assistant, Engelbert jumped at the chance to work with her. She assists Lin with the day-to-day operations of the course on top of tutoring students, and in the process, the two developed a strong working relationship.

"Zoe consistently demonstrates a high level of responsibility and commitment. Her mature and professional approach has made her a favorite among my students. Her positive attitude and reliability have significantly contributed to our college’s educational environment, and I am fortunate to have her as my learning assistant," Lin said.

The week before exams, Engelbert hosts a review session to outline the exam material and review practice questions. She also scans, uploads and validates the completed exams. Throughout, she tutors students who request help or come to the Teaching and Learning Center.

“We have 18 learning assistants this fall helping faculty members who want to utilize this additional support. Each of them works 7-10 hours per week and allows faculty to expand their impact and engage with students in new ways while continuing to strengthen the students' experience,” said Rose Hull, associate director of the Teaching and Learning Center, who oversees the learning assistants. "Faculty also decide if they want to renew the learning assistant each semester."

The first learning assistants were piloted at the College of Business in the fall of 2022. Hull helps recruit undergraduate students to work as learning assistants through faculty recommendations and by leveraging strong tutors. The 18 learning assistants working at the college are partially paid through donor funding. Those interested in donating to the Teaching and Learning Center can do so at: go.unl.edu/TLCfund.

"After interviewing learning assistant candidates and connecting them with the instructor they will assist, they participate in a day of training on basic teaching strategies, classroom professionalism, academic technologies and more. With each learning assistant providing a different set of services to their faculty member, the training is customized to them individually," Hull said.

Engelbert finds that success looks different for each student as well, and she takes pride in the skills she developed to help others.

"My favorite part of the learning assistant aspect is seeing the students' facial expressions when they finally start to understand the material and it clicks for them. It makes me feel like my tutoring is making a difference," Engelbert said. "I have learned so much and can take these transferable skills into my career."