UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Learning named students Alexander Dietz and Dylan Marchese the recipients of the Outstanding Guided Study Group Leader Award for the fall 2022 academic semester. Each have received a certificate of recognition and a stipend of $500.
The award recognizes study group leaders’ commitment to creating and sustaining a welcoming and academically supportive learning community for their assigned course. Working closely with course instructors and routinely attending class sessions, study group leaders’ efforts include hosting drop-in study sessions in which they review course materials, help students hone their problem-solving skills and stimulate a challenging and collaborative learning environment. Both of this semester’s recipients exemplify the award criteria, and their dedication is noted in the following comments from their nominators.
Dave Brown, instructor for ECON 102, nominated Alex Dietz for his willingness to go above and beyond expectations. Dietz, a junior studying mechanical engineering, has shown exemplary skills in leading ECON 102 study groups for two semesters. Brown wrote that he was impressed with how Dietz, when leading exam review sessions with more than 300 students, created his own materials and fielded student questions without needing guidance or supervision.
Brown also noted that Dietz arrived early to every class and sat near the front to allow students to recognize him and feel comfortable approaching him in GSG sessions later. Students have said that they enjoy Dietz’s enthusiasm and humor when leading sessions.
Dietz said that being a study group leader has shaped his professional ambitions and inspired him to want to facilitate environments in science and business that empower people to perform to the best of their abilities.
Dylan Marchese received multiple nominations for this award. All nominators described him as a model study group leader who builds a good rapport with students and motivates teamwork and problem solving. Marchese is a junior majoring in finance and has led Math 140B (and previously Math 141B) study groups for three semesters.
Nominators said Marchese routinely learns students’ names and makes them feel comfortable. Eric Simring, instructor for Math 140B and 141B, described Dylan as an exceptionally gifted teacher. He stated that Dylan’s deep understanding of the material allows him to creatively explain it to students and that his patience with student questions encourages open communication. As one nominator mentioned, students enjoy coming to Marchese’s sessions. Marchese said that he will use many of the strategies he learned as a GSG leader, listing public speaking, mentoring and learning from others as a few, as he begins a career in finance and business.
Additional information about the award, which is funded by philanthropy, is available at pennstatelearning.psu.edu.
Penn State Learning is part of Penn State Undergraduate Education. In addition to providing no-charge Guided Study Groups supporting a wide range of courses, Penn State Learning also provides tutoring in mathematics, world languages, public speaking and writing.