Strengthening Institutions Program (SIP)

This program equips ESU faculty with effective teaching practices based on the latest educational research. The initiative ensures that faculty members are well-prepared to support student success through high-quality instruction.

This initiative prepares students for the professional world by providing practical experiences and learning opportunities that align with the demands of the business sector. It focuses on bridging the gap between academic theories and real-world applications, ensuring that graduates are ready to make immediate contributions in their respective fields.

East Stroudsburg University has integrated a chatbot into some of its web pages, with plans to expand its presence across the entire website. This chatbot provides 24/7 availability and instant responses to inquiries, enhancing user experience by delivering timely and accurate information. Additionally, the chatbot helps manage resources efficiently by handling routine questions, freeing staff for more complex tasks.

As part of the Warrior Fish initiative, faculty will be trained on the Early Alert program. This training will equip faculty with the skills and tools necessary to identify early signs of declining student performance, such as poor grades, missed assignments, and lack of participation.

Once faculty members recognize these indicators, they can alert the students and refer them to an academic coach. The academic coach will conduct a thorough assessment of the student's challenges and work with them to develop a personalized action plan. This plan may include setting specific academic goals, creating a study schedule, utilizing campus resources such as tutoring and counseling services, and improving time management skills.

East Stroudsburg University has acquired Camtasia and Snagit, two powerful software tools that significantly enhance educational delivery for both online and in-person courses. Camtasia enables educators to create engaging, high-quality instructional videos complete with interactive elements making it perfect for online learning and a valuable supplement to traditional classroom teaching. Snagit provides simple yet effective screen capture and annotation capabilities, ideal for crafting quick tutorials, visual aids, and student feedback. Both tools are designed to support accessibility, ensuring all students have an improved learning experience. Their user-friendly nature promotes broad adoption among faculty, facilitating the seamless integration of multimedia and interactive content into their teaching strategies.

These initiatives, supported by the SIP grant, highlight East Stroudsburg University's dedication to improving educational opportunities and outcomes for all its students, especially those from underserved communities. By implementing these programs, ESU strives to not only boost retention and graduation rates but also to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary for success both during their academic careers and in their lives beyond the university.

Looking ahead, ESU intends to capitalize on additional SIP grant funding to introduce innovative projects. These new initiatives will further enrich the university's robust array of student services, enhancing the overall educational experience and increasing opportunities for student success.