Abby LeBlanc Ranked Top Five for International Supplemental Instruction Award

May 20, 2022

BATON ROUGE –Abby LeBlanc, LSU biological sciences senior from Hammond, Louisiana, ranked top five internationally for the International Center for Supplemental Instruction’s 2021 Exceptional Veteran SI Leader or Mentor award.

Exceptional Veteran SI Leader or Mentor is awarded to an individual who has been with their university’s SI program for more than one academic year and made a significant contribution to the overall program through leadership and mentorship.

LeBlanc dedicated six semesters to the SI program. SI is a series of weekly study sessions led by a student who has previously excelled in the course. As an SI Leader, LeBlanc worked with faculty to reinforce course material and helped students practice new skills, apply course-related content and interact with classmates. She currently works as an observation leader, helping new SI Leaders transition into their role.

LeBlanc said the program has changed her just as much as she has tried changing it.

“I have learned how to get out of my comfort zone,” she said. “I think everything about SI has made me uncomfortable, but I’ve gotten better at organizing for classes, planning documents, public speaking, thinking on my feet [and] telling people ‘I don’t know.’ The program has made me grow, and the fact that I made an impact on the program as well has been very exciting.”

Kade Simar, a chemistry SI Leader who works closely with LeBlanc, said her habits and work ethic are examples of true leadership.

“Abby is someone that I, along with my other student leaders, have looked up to,” Simar wrote in his nomination letter. “When she was leading my SI sessions for organic chemistry, she presented the subject in a clear, understandable manner, making the subject not as daunting as it could have been with someone else. She is patient and thoughtful, but relays information with ease. In her role as observation leader, she continues to pursue excellence and requires the same out of the people she observes.”

LeBlanc graduated in May 2022. She plans to attend graduate school for chemistry.

The LSU Center for Academic Success helps students achieve the higher levels of learning necessary for academic success in college and beyond. CAS offers free services such as tutoring, Supplemental Instruction, Academic Coaching and various academic programs and online services. The LSU CAS is internationally recognized for nearly 30 years of work in student learning and metacognition and is one of only two learning centers in the country twice certified by the National College Learning Center Association as a Center of Excellence.

Media Contact: Olivia Landry and Deborah Layzell
Center for Academic Success
225-578-1968
olandr8@lsu.edu and dlayze1@lsu.edu