University of Wisconsin Oshkosh’s Jessica Spanbauer knows about the power of persistence.
“It’s so important for students to learn how to get through something hard like a tough class or test and to gain confidence in themselves. It’s huge,” she said.
As the director of UW Oshkosh’s Center for Academic Resources (CAR), Spanbauer works to provide students with the support necessary to succeed academically, including free tutoring and supplemental instruction (SI) services provided by trained peers. In fall 2021, she received an Outstanding Service Award for her efforts.
Jessica Spanbauer
Spanbauer said she knows of students who may try to pass a class or get into a program a second or even third time yet end up reaching their goal by being persistent. “Every course you take, you can benefit from in some way. Every class helps to expand your mind,” she said.
CAR staff recruit, hire and train a large contingent of student employees every year to provide the tutoring and SI services. Spanbauer said the biggest bonus for these students is they become even more confident in their own study skills and knowledge in their major.
“Teaching or facilitating learning enhances their own learning experience,” she said.
That’s just what senior kinesiology major Rachel Blatz, of Kiel, discovered during her time serving as a math tutor for CAR.
“Tutoring was built to help reinforce course teachings, but it ended up teaching me some valuable lessons when it came to study skills, interpersonal communication and professionalism,” Blatz explained. “My time as a tutor slowly progressed into new opportunities through CAR.”
Blatz later was hired as an office assistant for CAR and most recently began leading SI sessions.
“As an SI leader, I have acquired skills like public speaking, reading nonverbal cues and presenting professionally,” she said.
Navigating success
Spanbauer also has played a significant role at UWO in implementing the student success management system known as Navigate. The comprehensive communication tool, which has been in use at the University for the past five years, brings administrators, faculty and advisers together to holistically track each student’s academic journey.
The Navigate platform also informs Spanbauer’s efforts to reach out to students who have received multiple early alert emails at the five-week mark each semester, indicating they are at risk for failing a class. She lets the students know about the resources available through CARS and other offices that can help them get back on track.
Spanbauer demonstrates her own ability to be persistent in her efforts to share information about all the ways students can get help academically at UWO. She gives presentations to students in Quest I courses, academic recovery and study skill classes, as well as to parents and families at Titan Takeoff and other events.
“I take as many opportunities as I can to provide information and training to others about the valuable resources on our campus and the benefits to students who utilize them,” she said.
CAR is located in Suite 102 of UWO’s Student Success Center, 750 Elmwood Ave.
Spanbauer has a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s in counseling. She was the associate director of Student Support Services and the McNair Scholars Program at Ripon College for nearly 10 years prior to joining UWO in 2012.
Top photo: UWO senior Rachel Blatz works in the Center for Academic Resources with director Jessica Spanbauer to provide the support students need to succeed.
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