Supplemental Instruction
Spring 2025
SI is now hiring for the Spring semester. The application will be open for the remainder of the semester.
- Application is open as of Nov 1
- Application reviews begin, Nov 18
- Interviews will begin in December
- All applications received after Jan 1 will be reviewed as long as there are still open positions.
You can find the application and job description at the bottom of this page.
Faculty interested in SI Leaders for their classes can also fill out our TLC Student Referral Form.
Need more information? Please contact Gavin Townsley via email at townsleyg@smccd.edu
How does Supplemental Instruction work?
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is an academic assistance program designed to help students succeed in traditionally difficult courses through voluntary group study sessions. Sessions are facilitated by SI Leaders, who are peers who have already successfully completed the targeted course.
SI Leaders attend class meetings, and make themselves available 1 – 3 times per week for active and collaborative study sessions. Most SI sessions take place right before or after class, but meeting times are flexible in order to accommodate as many students as possible.
During a typical session, students engage in collaborative learning, compare and clarify lecture notes, review textbook readings, and discuss key course concepts. SI Leaders help students develop effective study strategies for the course; they do not lecture or replicate the work of faculty.
As a student, you don't have to sign up! If your course is supported by SI, your SI Leader will give you details on how to attend their SI Sessions. Supplemental Instruction is open to all students enrolled in the class and is completely free.
You can visit the SI Lab in the Learning Center (BLDG 5) to find out if SI is offered for a course
Faculty can sign up by reaching out to the Program Services Coordinator, Gavin Townsley via email townsleyg@smccd.edu
Students who attend Supplemental Instruction can:
- Develop better understanding of course material
- Develop more effective ways of studying
- Prepare for tests, exams, papers, presentations, etc.
- Interact with other students in your class and build community
- Pass the course and potentially earn a higher grade
SI Supported Courses
| Courses | ||
|---|---|---|
| MATH 130, 200, 211, 241, 242 | CHEM 192 | BIOL 130 |
| ASTR 100, 101 | ECON 100 | SOCI 100, 105, 141 |
| HIST 201, 202, 235 | PSYC 100, 105, 171, 200, 300 | ANTH 100 |
| PHIL 100, 103 | ETHN 108, 265 | BUS 123 |
| ACTG 100, 121 | ** | |
**Other courses are supported by Dean and Faculty request.
Become an SI Leader
The role of a Supplemental Instruction Leader (SI Leader) is to assist students in traditionally difficult courses towards successful completion of the course. The SI Leader attends the parent course to understand the content, delivery, and emphases of the class, works with the professor to identify areas where students are experiencing difficulty, and provides 1 - 3 SI study sessions per week for students in that course. An SI Leader serves as a model student, reinforces class concepts, and facilitates students' ability to solve problems.
Check out the SI Leader Job Description.
If you are interested in becoming a SI Leader and are in good academic standing with the college, then apply via our online application below!