Dr. Mark Changizi
Theoretical Neurobiologist
The Residential Learning Community
The Residential Learning Community program is the center of how Sigma Phi Epsilon is reshaping academics in fraternity life, and our chapter is the first among Rensselaer's Greek system to develop this type of program. The idea behind a Residential Learning Community, or RLC, is that students perform better when a member of school faculty is active in their day to day lives. Sigma Phi Epsilon strongly supports this idea, and chapters nationwide are encouraged to seek out a faculty fellow who will spend time at their house and take specific interest in the students of the chapter. Another important aspect of this program involves devoting a space of the house solely to academics. Our RLC room is made available to Rensselaer for professors and TAs to use for office hours, and we intend to hold classes for credit through RPI as well.
Our Faculty Fellow and Volunteers
Sigma Phi Epsilon is proud to work with Dr. Mark Changizi of Rensselaer's Cognitive Science department. Changizi's second book The Vision Revolution was released in 2009, and others of his recent publications include articles in Perception and Journal of Theoretical Biology. As our faculty fellow, he now gives presentations at our house on subjects relating to professional development.
We also greatly appreciate assistance from other volunteers in expanding and bettering our RLC program. Dean Nieusma, assistant professor of Science and Technology Studies at Rensselaer, has helped to better our RLC program and led a workshop on entrepreneurship for our brothers.
An Academic Support System
Members of our fraternity receive a great amount of academic support from their brotherhood. But Sigma Phi Epsilon believes that our entire campus can benefit from the classroom experience and the expertise of our members in their own areas of study. For that reason, we have compiled a list of subjects and skills in which members of the chapter can provide guidance. If you would like to meet with one of our brothers for help in any of your classes, you may contact Bradley Mitchell at rlc@sigepnyd.org.