Laurel Whisler

laurel whisler headshot

Laurel Whisler

Director | J. Drake Edens Library

Edens Library | 217

803.786.3337

803.786.3700

Biography

Laurel brings to Columbia College 15 years of experience as a librarian, nearly 10 years of experience in academic support, and 2 years of administrative experience at the dean level. She has worked in a variety of institutions: Bristol Community College, Clemson University, Cornell College, Southern Wesleyan University, Furman University, and Hanover College. Supporting students to become agile, independent learners is a passion, particularly in the context of peer-to-peer learning. Her work with colleague Paul Treuer on Entangled Learning, a framework for self-directed peer learning is an outgrowth of that passion (http://www.EntangledLearning.org). Laurel holds an M.L.S. from Indiana University, an M.A. in Music from the Pennsylvania State University, and B.A. in Music from Earlham College. She has participated in numerous workshops with social learning theorists Etienne and Beverly Wenger-Trayner and has published and given presentations on 21st Century learning capabilities and peer-to-peer learning. A native Hoosier, Laurel has lived in the Upstate for most of the last 25 years. Her husband, Bruce, is Director of Audio Technology at Clemson University, and her daughter, Katherine, is a nursing student at the University of South Carolina. Hobbies include biking, gardening, quilting, and photography. Laurel's spiritual home is with the Quakers though she is a member of a Presbyterian (USA) congregation.

Awards & Accomplishments

  • Paper selected to compete as one of top five in the First Year Programs Division, ASEE Annual Conference: Whisler, Stephan, & Stephan. (2020, June 24). Continuing to promote metacognitive awareness in a first-year learning strategies course.
  • Invited participant for the Developing a National Research Agenda for STEM Academic Support Conference, funded by the National Science Foundation under Grant No. DUE-1836657, Evanson, IL, May 30-31, 2019.
  • Boyd Foundation ($1.25 million) award to support General Engineering Learning Community, 2019-2020, a program I supported with program, curriculum, and faculty development.

Publications

  • Stephan, Harcum, Whisler, & Stephan (2021). Using the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI) to track students’ growth and evaluate the effectiveness of a learning strategies course. Proceedings of the ASEE Annual Conference.
  • Whisler, L., Stephan, A., & Stephan, E. A. (2020). Continuing to promote metacognitive awareness in a first-year learning strategies course. Proceedings of the ASEE Annual Conference.
  • Stephan, A. T., Stephan, E. A., Whisler, L., Neptune, A. I. (2020). Peer sharing presentations in a first-year engineering learning strategies course. Proceedings of the ASEE Annual Conference.
  • Stephan, A., Whisler, L., Stephan, E. A., & Trogden, B. (2019). Using exam wrappers in a self-directed first-year learning strategies course. Proceedings of the ASEE Annual Conference.
  • Whisler, L., Stephan, A., & Stephan, E. A. (2019). Promoting metacognitive awareness in a first-year learning strategies course for cohorted general engineering students. Proceedings of the ASEE Annual Conference.
  • Whisler, L., Makos, M., & Anderson, R. K. (2019): Engendering learning: Experiences of peer educators trained as Entangled Learners, Journal of College Reading and Learning, 49(1), 19-34.
  • Stephan, E. A., Whisler, L., & Stephan, A. (2018). Work in progress: Strategic, translational retention initiatives to promote engineering success. Proceedings of the ASEE Annual Conference.
  • Brown, J. K., Stringer, N., Anderson, R. K. & Whisler, L. (2018). Supporting student learning through peer-led course support initiatives. Proceedings of the ASEE Annual Conference.
  • Whisler, L., Anderson, R., & Brown, J. (2017). Planning for program design and assessment using value creation frameworks. The Learning Assistance Review 22(2), 59-74.
  • Whisler, L. & Treuer, P. (2017). How to entangle peer educators. Synergy 10.
  • Whisler, L. A. (2004). Résumés, curricula vitae, and cover letters for music librarians: Suggestions for librarians in job searches or compiling annual review documents. Music Reference Services Quarterly 8(4), 1-48.
  • Carter, L. A. (1998). Building a better reference interface. Internet Reference Services Quarterly 3(4), 57-85.

What’s your favorite thing about the Columbia College campus?

I love the variety of landscaping! The live oak trees offer such grace, and there is something to look at everywhere I walk. Each place to sit has a different character. I look forward to having walking meetings and to finding my favorite spot for doing some work outside.