The goal of the Research Learning Experiences (RLE) is to engage students in discovery, knowledge creation and authentic professional practices — regardless of their area of study — starting in their first year at our universities. The format of RLEs combines a suite of best practices for first-year retention to give our students a mindset that will both help them to get the most out of their degree and put them on a path to long-term success.

Through the UMS TRANSFORMS Student Success and Retention initiative that is supported by the Harold Alfond gift, there is funding available for all UMS campuses to pilot their own RLE programs. All interested members of the University of Maine and University of Maine System communities are invited to come and learn more about the RLEs, join the conversation on ways to gear research toward first year students, and begin planning your own pilot.

This virtual workshop is facilitated by The Group Forward. Attendees will learn about:

• the RLE pilot at UMaine and UMM, and UMF’s similar First Year Fusion
• how to retrofit a current course to fit the RLE model
• how to design an RLE course from the ground up
• how to develop an RLE to benefit students while advancing your own research
• how others in your disciplinary area have approached RLEs
• how RLEs might work and be sustainable on your campus long-term

Click here to RSVP.