Eldridge Hall offers services to promote student success

Do you know what kinds of services the Center for Student Success and Engagement (CSSE) provides students?
Advising Services, Career Services, Learning Services and the summer Individual Enrichment Program (IEP) make up CSSE. This group of departments focuses on helping and providing students with the tools and different ways to succeed throughout their college career.

Advising Services, led by Deb Foss and Harris Elder, provides academic support for students. This branch of CSSE helps students to make informed educational, career, and life decisions. This includes everything from general college information, undeclared student advising, registering for classes, issues regarding academic probation and suspension, and prior learning credits from other institutions. Advising Services can also help students who need information on graduation and what requirements that may entail, as well as provide adult learning student services for those who are considered ‘non-traditional’ students and non-matriculated students.

If you are a student who needs referrals to academic support services such as tutoring, writing assistance, non-traditional student programs, counseling, career services, and support services for students with learning disabilities, Deb Foss or Harris Elder can help do so in Advising Services. They are located in Eldridge Hall, top level. Advising Services hours are Monday through Friday, 8:30 – 4:45; evening hours by appointment. Walk-in hours are also available most days. Do not hesitate to contact Foss or Elder through First Class.

Another department located on the top floor of Eldridge Hall is Learning Services. Here, students can find an abundance of information on “major flow sheets so students know what is ahead on the path of their chosen major and a staff that can basically answer any question about MCLA,” says Kate Heekin, Assistant Director of CSSE. One of the most commonly accessed services of CSSE is the tutoring network. During most times of the year, students can come to CSSE to sign up for a tutor. Signing up for a tutor can also be online for convenience. A tutor will assigned to a student based on which course they sign up for and their schedule. These tutors are students who have proven to be successful in a specific course. “This is one of the best ways to improve understanding of and grades in a class,” says Heekin.

Not sure which math course best suits your abilities? Learning Services also runs placement testing at MCLA to see which course a student best fits into. If a student needs to take the modern language or CCCL 100 placement test, they should visit CSSE. The CSSE/Learning Services staff also has conversations with students who have expressed test anxiety or need time management advice. Heekin says, “I would recommend any student who needs academic support to make the short trip to the top floor of Eldridge!”

Wendy Guerra, Learning Services, works in the Individual Enrichment Program, IEP. She says “The Individual Enrichment Program (I.E. Program) at MCLA is a Student Support Services TRiO program, funded by a federal grant from the U.S. Department of Education, that supports first-generation, low-income students and students receiving learning accommodations.” The main goal of this program is to offer academic assistance to students at a college level to ensure persistence and graduation rates.

Another component of the program is the Summer Session, a four-week residential bridge program for freshmen specifically designed to help students make the transition from high school to college and to increase their likelihood of persisting and graduating from MCLA. “During the Summer Session, students also participate in workshops that address study skills, strategies for time management, and the importance of taking advantage of college resources,” says Guerra. As the coordinator of the IEP, Wendy Guerra serves as an academic advisor to undeclared students and students in the Summer Session.

If you have questions regarding CSSE or any of the departments feel free to introduce yourself to better yourself as a student. FirstClass and phone calls are welcome.

by Amy Cubello
Staff Writer

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