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 are 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 donations from Chevron, Halliburton, and Marathon; the program's current sustaining sponsor is Chevron.

Applications from all first-year engineering majors are welcome, but priority is given to applications from

  • First-generation students
  • Students with financial need
  • Underrepresented minorities in engineering

In this program, we aim to

  • Solidify a strong foundation in STEM courses to best help students EXCEL their engineering courses
  • Increase the retention of students in underrepresented groups in engineering at LSU
  • Help students who might struggle in STEM courses in their first year
  • 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.
  • Increased 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. 

  • 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.

Spring 2025 Application

  • Tutoring program requirements:
    • You must complete the application
    • You must be a first-year student*
      • A student is eligible to continue receiving tutoring in their sophomore year if they are still taking first-year STEM courses in their third semester at LSU and actively participated in EXCELD tutoring for at least one semester during their freshman year.
  • Spring application is open until February 10, 2025
  • Tutor appointments will begin on January 27, 2025
    • You will be notified via email if you are accepted into the program

Chevron Corporation logoChevron 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

 

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 1422  
1551    
1552    
1553    

 

 

Are you interested in joining our team? Applications are currently open for Spring 2025 tutoring positions.

EXCELD tutors help first-year students with their STEM courses through one-on-one tutoring. EXCELD tutors will be assigned to one or two courses based on preference and tutoring demand. Tutors schedule their own availability for session times using our online scheduling system and are required to attend trainings and regular staff meetings.

  • Qualifications:
    • Full-time student in the College of Engineering
    • Earned a B+ or better in the tutoring course
    • 2.8 minimum overall GPA

Apply to Become an EXCELD Tutor

Outside view of Patrick F Taylor

 

Contact Us

If you have questions about the program or application, please contact [email protected].