麻豆视频

Blueprint Leads to Student Success at 麻豆视频

When Megan Burnett enrolled at 麻豆视频 in 2019, she knew she wanted to major in a field which would give her the opportunity to help people. The university鈥檚 Exploratory Program in University College has given her a blueprint to help her reach her dreams.

Now Burnett will be entering her junior year as a Human Development and Family Studies major. She will be joining other students, staff and faculty for a robust fall 2021 semester fully back on campus following a year of mostly-remote learning during the pandemic.

鈥淚 knew the passion that I wanted to chase, but I had absolutely no idea how to reach my goals,鈥 Burnett said. 鈥淚 credit the (Exploratory Program) and my academic advisor for the whole journey that helped me click with my major.鈥

Whether students are enrolled in 麻豆视频鈥檚 Exploratory Program in University College, are the first in their families to attend college or are students in a single-parent learning community, 麻豆视频 offers a plethora of programs that promote student success. For instance, University College has a tradition of offering students innovative, award-winning programs. University College has won eight national awards, earned three internationally certified programs, and received more than $7.5 million in grant funding in the last 6 years.

Burnett credits the Exploratory Program advisors and mentors for bringing out skills that she didn鈥檛 know she possessed.

鈥淲ithout the support of someone to lean on and someone to count on who has my best interest at heart, I honestly would not have found my major or minor without their guidance,鈥 Burnett said. 鈥淭he people are so hardworking. They connect with students.鈥

Award-winning Programs Make a Difference

Recently the University College Exploration Plan鈥檚 Major Action Plan (MAP) was selected as the 2021 Outstanding Advising Program Award Winner from NACADA: The Global Community for Academic Advising as part of the 2021 Global Awards Program for Academic Advising.

The award recognizes advising programs that are innovative and/or offer exemplary practices resulting in improvement of academic advising services. The Outstanding Advising Program Award application was judged on the following criteria: innovative quality, creativity, currency, institutional commitment, impact evident by assessment, and transferability.

The goal of the MAP is to assist 麻豆视频鈥檚 Exploratory students with confidently declaring their major based on their career readiness via the exploration of majors that align with their strengths and career interests. In addition, the Center for First-generation Student Success recently recognized 麻豆视频鈥檚 commitment to improving the experiences and advancing outcomes for first-generation students by designating the university as a 2021-22 First-gen Forward Institution.

鈥淭hrough the application process, it was evident that 麻豆视频 is not only taking steps to serve first-generation students, but also is prepared to make a long-term commitment and employ strategies that foster an environment of success for this important population,鈥 said Sarah E. Whitley, Ph.D., vice president of the . The center is an initiative of NASPA鈥揝tudent Affairs Administrators in Higher Education and The Suder Foundation.

In making its decision, the center considered 麻豆视频鈥檚 I Am First campaign, an initiative launched two years ago to celebrate first-generation students during a week of events and activities meant to increase campus awareness and engagement. The university鈥檚 application also demonstrated that senior leadership is committed to the success of first-generation students.

Leadership Emphasis in Student Success

Many will recall that President Todd Diacon highlighted first-gen students in his 2019 inaugural address.

鈥淚t is an honor to be named a leading First-gen Forward university,鈥 Diacon said. 鈥淭his award demonstrates our deep commitment to helping all first-generation students successfully navigate the college experience and earn their degree.鈥

For those who work on the frontlines in helping first-gen students to thrive, each student's success is a personal victory for all involved.

鈥淪tudents who are first in their families to earn a bachelor鈥檚 degree are really resilient students who bring a lot to our university and campus life, and we want to make sure they graduate,鈥 said Liz Piatt, Ph.D., assistant dean of academic diversity success, who worked on 麻豆视频鈥檚 application for the First-gen Forward designation. 鈥淥ur philosophy is based on the strengths and talents that make them invaluable to our university. We want to celebrate them.鈥

For more information about University College go to /universitycollege.

POSTED: Tuesday, July 27, 2021 02:40 PM
UPDATED: Friday, December 09, 2022 03:24 PM
WRITTEN BY:
April McClellan-Copeland