A CRITICAL REFLECTION ON CENTRING STUDENTS: INTENTIONALLY INTEGRATING ACADEMIC PROFESSIONAL LEARNING AND STUDENT SUCCESS PRACTICES

Abstract

Academic Learning Professionals (ALPs) and Student Success Professionals (SSPs) play a key part in the way higher education responds to and grapples with complex contexts and disruptions to learning and teaching.In this chapter, the authors argue for a more intentional and structured integration of the work done by ALPs and SSPs, drawing on their insights and reflections from working in these areas over several years.They contend that to make a meaningful shift to studentcentredness as the South African higher education sector transitions to blended learning and teaching, the work of ALPs and SSPs must be made to intersect.Through critical reflection and by drawing on Gibbs' (1988) cyclical reflective model, the authors explore how integrating the work of ALPs and SSPs, through the intentional centring of students' holistic needs, is key to equipping academics with the insight and awareness required for student-centredness, with the aim of enhancing students' prospects of success.