EXCELD
The EXCELD (EXcellence in Calculus/STEM for Engineering Leadership and Diversity) program is a tutoring initiative aimed at helping first-year engineering students excel in math, chemistry, and physics. Freshmen engineering students will be paired with engineering upperclassmen and required to meet with their tutors at least once a week per subject to get much needed help in their STEM courses. The program was started in 2020 with a generous donation from Chevron, Halliburton, and Marathon.
All applications from first-year engineering students are welcome, but priority will be given to applications from:
- Underrepresented minorities in engineering.
- Women.
- First-generation students.
- Students with financial need.
In this program, we aim to:
- Increase the retention of underrepresented groups in engineering at LSU.
- Help students who might struggle in STEM courses in their first year.
- Solidify an academic foundation in college-level STEM courses that will lay a solid foundation upon which students can build their knowledge base in their core engineering courses.
- Introduce freshmen to other engineering students and establish meaningful connections with the College of Engineering.
- Provide advice and direction on healthy and effective study habits that students will use through their entire college career.
- Improved academic performance
- The program will help students prepare for tests and exams, equipping them with test-taking strategies and time-management skills. Tutors will provide help to students in understanding specific problem areas.
- Improved work and study habits
- Students will be equipped with work and study habits that can be used throughout their college career to ace their exams and make them successful in college and in their professional careers.
- Freedom to ask questions
- During lectures, students who are not comfortable asking questions in class settings are more likely to communicate these questions to their tutors without being self-conscious.
- Encourages independence and responsibility
- The tutoring program encourages students to be more independent and equips them with problem-solving skills. It will also help them with personal growth and development.
- Positive workspace
- One-on-one tutoring provides students with an environment free of distractions.
- Access to engineering academic resources
- First-year students in engineering typically have little direct interaction with engineering academic advisors. Along the way, students might experience unique issues with choosing courses or even keeping up in STEM courses. EXCELD students will have access to an academic advisor, career coach, and engineering education expert to help them navigate these issues.
- Extending program to sophomore year
- For students who take MATH 1021 or 1022 their first semester at LSU, they will still be taking first-year STEM courses in their third semester at LSU. If a student is enrolled in the EXCELD program and actively participates in at least one semester of their freshman year, they are eligible to continue in the program in their third semester.
- Students must apply each semester and will be notified of program acceptance via email.
- Students will schedule their own appointments with tutors using an online scheduling system.
- Students commit to attend to 1 tutoring session per week for each course.
- Students will be added to a Moodle course to access tutoring resources and materials.
- For new EXCELD applicants:
- Tutor appointment booking will start on September 2, 2024
- Applications for fall 2024 have closed. Please check back in November to apply for the spring semester.
- For returning EXCELD participants:
- You will be emailed a separate application link for returning students only
- TracCloud tutor appointment booking will start on September 2.
- Applications will close September 30.
- Questions?
- Contact the EXCELD Program Staff: exceld@lsu.edu
Chevron Corporation is an American national energy corporation headquartered in San
Ramon, California, that is actively engaged in oil, gas, and geothermal energy industries.
Chevron endorses the empowerment of human ingenuity to pave the road to a brighter
future and a better life; achieved by providing access to energy, which drives human
progress and enables the benefits to a modern society. Chevron is an active donor
to programs at LSU, including, but not limited to, the Chevron Energy Leaders Scholarship,
the Chevron Leadership Academy, Engineering Ambassadors, as well as many learning
and research spaces in Patrick F. Taylor Hall. Learn more about Chevron
Marathon Petroleum Corporation is a leading, incorporated, downstream energy company,
marketing, and pipeline transport company. MPC is committed to creating a concept
of shared value, which means holding a wide range of affiliates to accountability
for their actions. Marathon supports College of Engineering efforts and is a contributor
to its Big Siblings mentoring program and Engineering Tiger Connections, as well as
a number of diversity scholarships. Learn more about Marathon Petroleum.
Halliburton Company is an American multinational corporation and currently one of
the world's largest providers of products and services for the growing needs of the
energy industry. With the aim of achieving a culture of continuous improvement, Halliburton
places in high esteem values such as integrity, safety, collaboration, competition,
creativity, and respect. Halliburton funds one of the largest scholarships in the
College of Engineering, the Halliburton Scholars program, and holds an annual “Halliburton
Day” to introduce LSU Engineering students to the vast number of opportunities at
the company. Learn more about Halliburton.
Main Course Offerings
You must attend one tutoring session per week for these courses.
| MATH | CHEM | PHYS |
|---|---|---|
| 1021 | 1001 | 2001 |
| 1022 |
1002 |
2002 |
| 1431 | 1201 | 2110 |
| 1530 | 1202 | 2112 |
| 1540 | 1421 | 2113 |
| 1550 | ||
| 1551 | ||
| 1552 | ||
| 1553 |
Are you interested in joining our team? EXCELD tutors help first-year students with their STEM courses through one-on-one tutoring. EXCELD tutors will be assigned to one discipline based on preference and tutoring demand. Tutors schedule their own availability for session times.
- Qualifications:
- Full-time student in the College of Engineering
- Earned a B+ or better in the tutoring course
- 2.8 minimum overall GPA
Contact Us
If you have questions about the program or application, please contact exceld@lsu.edu.