Deadline: May 7, 2012

Past Award Winners

Application Procedures

Martin Golson accepting the 2011 Brenda Pfaehler Professional Development Grant from NCLCA Professional Development Officer Jenny Pippen.

BACKGROUND

Brenda Pfaehler was a mother, teacher and civic activist who held numerous posts at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. In 1988, she joined the School of Business and founded the Business Learning Center. She was also the director of UW-Madison's TRIO Program. Her bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees were awarded in education at UW-Madison. 

Brenda Pfaehler served as president of MCLCA (The Midwest College Learning Center Association) from 1981-1982, and she was active in the organization until her untimely death from cancer in 1996. The NCLCA Professional Development Grant was renamed to honor her memory.

PURPOSE

The purpose of the NCLCA Brenda Pfaehler Professional Grant is to foster the professional growth of our members.  It will be awarded to members of NCLCA to assist in research, leadership, and/or curriculum innovation.

Each year, NCLCA sets aside $1,000 to fund one or more projects.  The exact number of awards depends on the quality of the proposals received.  Those selected as grant recipients will be invited to present the results of their project(s) at the next NCLCA conference.

The grant can be used to fund research or leadership projects.

RESEARCH PROJECT

Provide a description of the general area of investigation and the particular focus of the study. Include your rationale for the study. Describe the methods you plan to use and how you will analyze your results. You should include a statement that explains what you think the significance of your research will be. Your project should also include a budget of how you will use this grant to fund project (e.g., supplies, assessments, services, travel).

LEADERSHIP PROJECT

Provide a description of the purpose and general goals of the project. Describe or outline the project. Include materials, equipment, schedules, and major tasks you might be developing.  For example, your project may include the development of curriculum materials, designing instruction, designing workshops to deliver to faculty or students, or presenting at a national conference. You may also want to include any special training you may want to participate in as part of the project.  For example, your training may include the NCLCA Institute, Kellogg Institute, Winter Institute, or on-line courses related to learning assistance.

Note: The grant may be awarded partially or fully depending on the number of applicants and the quality of the proposals.

PAST AWARD WINNERS

2003- CAROLYN GRIFFITH, BRADLEY UNIVERSITY

"The Turning Point Retention Program (TPP) and Campus Area Retention Effort (C.A.R.E.) at Bradley University"

2004- TRAVIS RAMAGE, UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN BARRON COUNTY

"Identifying and Applying Strengths to Improve Academic Performance of First-Semester High Risk College Students Attending UW-Barron County Using the Strengths Finder Assessment Instrument"

2005- CRAIG CURTY, HIGH POINT UNIVERSITY

"English as a Second Language: Excursions into America"

2006- DAVID ARENDALE, UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA

"Using Emerging Technology to Integrate Learning Strategies within an Introductory History Course"

2007- MARK F. DADDONA and ELISE R. RHODES, CLAYTON STATE UNIVERSITY

"Learning Support Partnership Program (Clayton State University and Georgia Perimeter College"

2008- MARION KANE, LAKE SUMTER COMMUNITY COLLEGE

"Preparing the Non-Traditional Student for College: A Workshop"

2009- JENNIFER PIPPEN, NORTH CENTRAL COLLEGE

"Transformational Learning: A New Model of Peer Education"

2009- JOSH REID, ILLINOIS STATE UNIVERSITY

"Developing a Tutor Training and Resource Wiki Space"

2010- Dr. BEATRIZ BECERRA-BARCKHOLTZ, UNIVERSITY OF TEXAS at BROWNSVILLE and TEXAS SOUTHMOST COLLEGE

"Rethinking and Redefining the Value of Tutoring: Examining Student Perceptions of Factors Impacting Utilization of Tutorial Services for Developmental Education Coursework"

2010- MELINDA COLEMAN, COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON

"Peer Academic Coaching: Measuring the Effectiveness of Using Trainer Peer Coaches to Teach Time and Task"

2011- MARTIN GOLSON, AUSTIN PEAY STATE UNIVERSITY

"Blended Online/Face-to-Face Tutoring Sessions"

APPLICATION PROCEDURES/REQUIREMENTS

• Send the following application materials (formatted in MS Word) to Jenny Pippen, NCLCA Professional Development Officer, at jlpippen@noctrl.edu:

  • A one-page cover sheet with your name, address, institution, e-mail, phone number, and title of your proposal.
  • A copy of your grant proposal, excluding any identifying information in the proposal as your proposal will undergo blind review.
  • A copy of your curriculum vitae or resume, which should include any previous research projects, conference presentations, and/or publications.
  • A letter of endorsement from your University or College Vice-President or Dean.

  Recipients will be required to submit a one page follow-up report that outlines how the grant was used and will be asked to present the results of their project at the 2012 annual NCLCA Conference in Reno, NV.

  For more information about the Brenda Pfaehler Professional Development Grant contact:

  Jenny Pippen, NCLCA Professional Development Officer
  Academic Support
  309 E. School St
  North Central College
  Naperville, IL 60540
  Office (630) 637-5264
  jlpippen@noctrl.edu