Contact: Cristina Arana,
(818) 677-2130
carana@exec.csun.edu

Graduate Student Awarded National Fellowship To Study Effectiveness of Learning in College Classrooms

Are the techniques professors using in the classroom working? Cal State Northridge graduate student Susan Volpe, 41, of Sylmar, has just received a $2,000 grant to find out.

Volpe has been awarded the Omicron Nu-Eileen C. Maddex Fellowship, funded by the Kappa Omicron Nu Honor Society, for her work in matching students learning styles with motive instruction in college-level courses.

"We are becoming more diverse as a university and if we can get an idea of the different learning styles of students we will be miles ahead of what other universities know," said Alyce Blackmon, chair CSUN's of family environmental sciences department.

Volpe, who is majoring in interior design, teaches interior design courses at Mission College in Sylmar and says that her dual role as a student and teacher has allowed her to monitor her own teaching skills.

"In my first year I've already altered my way of teaching. You want people to absorb as much as they can. I ask my students what I can change and I want to see everyone get an 'A'," said Volpe, adding, "The grant has shortened the time for me to complete my education and will see me through the next year financially."

Kappa Omicron Nu aims to recognize and encourage excellence in scholarship, research and leadership in the field of family and consumer sciences.

For more information, call Blackmon at (818) 677-3051.