At The University of Alabama, faculty and staff—across academics, administration, and Student Life—play a vital role in cultivating legends. Through REAL Tide (Record of Engagement and Learning), we track and recognize transformative learning experiences outside the classroom that complement a student’s academic work.
By incorporating REAL Tide into your programs, courses, or initiatives, you help students become well-rounded, career-ready, informed citizens, and active leaders, while also giving your own work greater visibility and impact.
Why REAL Tide Matters
Participating in REAL Tide helps you:
- Advance UA’s mission by supporting engaged learning.
- Enhance student interactions by making them more meaningful and intentional.
- Broaden student career readiness through high-impact experiences.
- Improve academic success by connecting involvement to learning outcomes.
- Deepen learning through guided reflection on student experiences.
- Contribute to recognition—students in your programs may qualify for The REAL List.
How to Get Involved
1. Attend an Information Session
A 1-hour introduction to REAL Tide, the five engagement waves, and practical ways to integrate it into your work.
2. Tag Experiences for REAL Tide
Submit events, leadership roles, service projects, or other out-of-class opportunities to be REAL Tide–tagged by:
- Identifying the type (event, role, or self-designed experience).
- Mapping it to up to two engagement waves.
- Selecting a Depth of Learning level (Discovery, Integration, Transformation).
- Including 2–4 measurable learning outcomes.
- Submitting through the REAL Tide Tag Request Form.
Requests are reviewed within 7 business days—submit at least one month before your event whenever possible.
3. Track Attendance
Approved experiences must have attendance tracking for students to receive credit. Options include:
- QR code display for check-in.
- Event Pass scanning.
- Excel form submission.
4. Promote REAL Tide to Students
Encourage students to log into REAL Tide, attend tagged experiences, and reflect on their growth. Highlight the potential to earn The REAL List distinction.
How Students Discover Your Experience
REAL Tide–tagged experiences are:
- Featured on the REAL Tide Opportunities page.
- Searchable by engagement wave, date, and type.
- Promoted through mySOURCE, student newsletters, and social media.
Tagging your programs increases their visibility, helps them stand out to students seeking intentional involvement, and positions your work as part of a larger developmental framework.
The REAL List: Your Role in Student Recognition
The REAL List celebrates top student achievers each semester based on their engagement across the five waves. By tagging your programs and ensuring attendance is tracked, you’re directly contributing to:
- Wave Achievers – top performers in each wave.
- All-Wave Achievers – high engagement in all five waves.
- REAL List Legends – the most engaged students across all categories.
Recognition includes pins, website/social media features, and eligibility for future awards.
How to Get Started
Want to schedule a one-on-one or workshop for you or your team? Email Sherri Sellars at sssellars@ua.edu to request a session led by Dr. Rosalind Moore-Miller.
Have questions? Email Dr. Moore-Miller at rlmoore@ua.edu.