Building Durable Skills for Student Success at Illinois Tech

About the Episode: 

This week, Dustin talks with Dr. Joseph Orgel from Illinois Institute of Technology about the innovative Empowerment Leadership and Mentorship (ELM) program he developed. Dr. Orgel shares his journey in academia, emphasizing the importance of mentorship and the development of durable skills for student success. They also discuss the program's impact on academic performance, graduation rates, and the overall student experience. Lastly, Dr. Orgel highlights the critical role of peer mentorship and the positive effects of creating a supportive and empowering academic culture.

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Key Takeaways

• The Power of Peer Mentorship: ELM enables students to support one another through structured, near-peer mentorship, fostering academic growth and emotional resilience.
• Focus on Durable Skills: Emphasizing skills like emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and rational communication prepares students for academic and professional success.
• Proven Results: The ELM program has led to improved GPAs, higher graduation rates, and reduced disparities for underserved student groups.
• Scalability and Transferability: The model’s success at Illinois Tech has sparked collaborations with Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges of Chicago to extend its impact.

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Episode Summary

What is the ELM Program?

The Empowerment, Leadership, and Mentorship (ELM) program at Illinois Tech is a holistic initiative designed to improve student success by fostering mentorship, community, and durable skills. Founded by Dr. Joseph Orgel, the program is rooted in the belief that empowering students to support one another creates a stronger academic community.

• Core Elements of the ELM Program:
  • Durable Skills Development: Students build competencies like emotional intelligence, empathy, and effective communication.
  • Peer Mentorship: Near-peer mentors guide students, helping them navigate academic challenges and build confidence.
  • Self-Empowerment: Participants learn to set goals, overcome imposter syndrome, and embrace their own potential for success.

The program is both structured and adaptive, allowing students to develop transferable skills while receiving tailored support.

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The Impact of the ELM Program

Since its launch, the ELM program has yielded significant results:

• Improved Graduation Rates: Illinois Tech’s six-year graduation rate rose from 71% to between 74% and 77%.
• Higher GPAs: Participants’ GPAs increased by an average of half a letter grade, with underserved groups seeing even greater improvements.
• Long-Term Benefits: Students continue to demonstrate academic growth in subsequent semesters, underscoring the durability of the program’s impact.

Dr. Orgel highlights how ELM supports underserved populations, such as Pell-eligible students, by addressing barriers to success and fostering equity.

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Durable Skills: The Foundation of Success

A key focus of ELM is the development of durable skills—transferable abilities that serve students throughout their academic and professional lives.

• Why Durable Skills Matter:
  • They enhance self-efficacy and confidence, helping students combat imposter syndrome.
  • They are adaptable, preparing students for a variety of challenges in school and beyond.
  • They foster a sense of community, encouraging students to support one another.

The program’s emphasis on durable skills aligns with modern workforce needs, equipping students with tools to thrive in any context.

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Expanding the ELM Model

ELM’s success at Illinois Tech has inspired partnerships to broaden its reach. Collaborations with Chicago Public Schools and City Colleges of Chicago aim to scale the program, integrating mentorship and durable skills development into high school and community college settings.

• Notable Partnerships:
  • Runway 606: A pathway initiative allowing Chicago high school students to graduate with both a diploma and an associate degree, leveraging the principles of the ELM model.
  • Workforce Alignment: Programs in fields like cybersecurity are being adapted to include mentorship and skill-building components, enhancing career readiness.

These efforts demonstrate the scalability and transferability of the ELM model, ensuring its benefits reach diverse student populations.

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About the Show: The Higher Ed Geek Podcast explores the impact of edtech on the student experience by speaking with diverse leaders from institutions, companies, and nonprofit organizations. Each week we aim to provide an engaging, fun, and relevant dose of professional development that honors the wide range of work happening all across the higher ed ecosystem. Come geek out with us! The Higher Ed Geek Podcast is hosted by Dustin Ramsdell and is a proud member of the Enrollify Podcast Network.

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Connect With Our Host:
Dustin Ramsdell

https://www.linkedin.com/in/dustinramsdell/
https://twitter.com/HigherEd_Geek

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About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
The Higher Ed Geek is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  

Some of our favorites include Generation AI and  I Wanna Work There. 

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