Indiana University Southeast professor recognized for Lower-Level Mathematics Student Success Initiative

Indiana University Southeast has received the 2024 Stan Jones Student Success Award from the Indiana Commission for Higher Education. The Stan Jones Student Success Award recognizes college campuses throughout the state that have initiatives and supports in place to help bolster student success. Indiana University Southeast received this year’s award for its Lower-Level Mathematics Student Success Initiative, which was designed by Professor of Mathematics Mildred Vernia.

According to an article on Indiana University Southeast’s website, Chancellor Debbie Ford was quoted as saying of the award and Vernia’s role in receiving it, “IU Southeast congratulates Mildred Vernia for leading the way in developing innovative teaching practices in mathematics to enhance student success. She is beloved by her students and is so deserving of the Stan Jones Award.” 

The Lower-Level Mathematics Student Success Initiative was developed by Vernia as a way to combat the increasing failure rates of students in introductory level math courses following the pandemic, which was leading to an increase in the number of students discontinuing their education altogether. The initiative introduced supplemental instruction to lower-level math courses, including adding 45 more minutes to class times to allow for collaborative work between students, and introducing an additional instructor to the classroom to provide additional student support. Following the introduction of the initiative, failure rates decreased by 12%.

Dr. Michelle Williams, who is the executive vice chancellor for academic affairs, commented on the introduction of the initiative, saying, “Teaching Professor Vernia’s work is an example of how strategic changes can drive measurable improvements in student achievement. By incorporating Supplemental Instruction (SI) as a required component of extended class time, students gain additional in-class problem-solving opportunities and engage in purposeful learning. Her efforts bring students together to collaborate with supplemental instructors or faculty members to work through complex problems.”

On December 5, 2024, Vernia presented the findings of her study and accepted the award presented by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education.

Vernia said, “I am so excited that IU Southeast has received an award for improving student success. Our team that teaches 100- level math classes has worked so hard to help our students to progress towards the completion of their college degree. Being honored in this way has helped us to share our pedagogy across the state of Indiana.”

For more information about Indiana University Southeast, visit the school’s website.