Tate Flint
For senior biology major Tate Flint, the Learning Assistant (LA) Program at the University of Utah has been far more than a résumé booster—it’s been a defining chapter of his college experience. Over the past seven semesters, Tate has worked as a TA and LA for BIOL 1610, a foundational course for many students entering the sciences. While most LA’s serve for one or two terms, Tate’s extended tenure reflects his commitment to supporting student learning experiences.
Inspired by his high school biology teacher’s stories of being a college TA, Tate joined the LA Program after taking BIOL 1610 himself. The approachable, thoughtful, and welcoming environment created by his own LAs motivated him to try it out. “I wanted to not only master the material,” he says, “but also help my peers overcome the same challenges I faced.”
Since beginning his LA role, Tate has committed himself to improving the learning environment for new science students. His standout achievement is the popular “Review Series” that he developed and leads with a team of other LAs. The series includes weekly sessions and pre-exam workshops that pair peer collaboration with targeted practice problems. “Because BIOL 1610 is often one of their first college science courses, the study habits they develop here carry forward throughout their academic careers,” Tate explains. These resources have helped to boost student exam scores by 7 to 10 percent, but more importantly, they’ve created an environment where students feel confident, supported and excited to learn.
Beyond content review, Tate mentors new LAs, helps lead accessibility-focused course planning meetings, and will soon independently lecture a 300-student introductory biology course in Fall 2025 — a rare opportunity for an undergraduate. His dedication stems from a belief in “lifting where you stand,” a principle he adopted early in his LA role.
Outside the classroom, Tate is equally dedicated, working on pediatric clinical research teams at Primary Children’s Hospital and volunteering as an Hmong interpreter. He’s currently applying to medical school with the goal of becoming a pediatric interventional radiologist.
Reflecting on his time in the LA Program, Tate says, “This experience deepened my passion for teaching, confirmed my commitment to inclusive education and reinforced my belief that all students can succeed when given personalized support.”
By Julia St. Andre