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Last Updated: 10/13/2006
Pages are maintained by: Assessment and Planning
Web Master:
jpardo@mail.ucf.edu

The SDES Connection
May 2006

Building Successful Collaboration

The Student Success Center (SSC) embodies the ideals of the SDES mission by forming successful collaborations on all levels. To assist in firstyear transition, the SSC provides articulation and support to motivate and encourage firstyear students to move effectively into their new UCF environment, while minimizing challenges to their success. The SSC is committed to “Creating Opportunities for Success” for UCF students, and works diligently to develop collaborative partnerships that can assist in this quest, according to DeLaine Priest, assistant vice president for the Student Success Center.

Conveniently located in Howard Phillips Hall, the SSC formally connects five student support services: Student Academic Resource Center (SARC), Multicultural Academic and Support Services (MASS), University Testing Center (UTC), First Year Advising and Exploration (FYAE), and Transfer and Transition Services (TTS).

Student Academic Resource Center

SARC, formed in 1988, strives to be the place for students, faculty, and the surrounding community to access academic success both inside and outside of the classroom. To expand and develop its programs and services, SARC is committed to forming partnerships with key departments and units on campus and in the community.

One of SARC’s most successful collaborations includes the relationship among SARC’s Supplemental Instruction (SI) program and Tutorial Services and the UCF faculty. Over 40 subject areas are supported by SI and tutoring each semester, and through aggressive partnerships, specifically in the areas of Biology, Chemistry, Astronomy and Human Physiology, SARC served over 30,000 (duplicated headcount) students during the 2005-06 academic year. (See below.)

UCF faculty, academic departments and student organizations have also formed a strong working relationship with SARC in partnering with our outreach programming. LEAD Scholars, Minority Association of Pre-Professional Students, Greek Societies, and SLS 1501 instructors have all used SARC’s semester Academic Success Workshop Series as a means for students to fulfill program and class requirements. SARC has also collaborated intensely with the LINK First Year Experience program, as well as Housing and Residential Life.

SARC’s two academic advising programs, the Pegasus Success Program and College Achievement Program, benefit freshmen students through partnerships developed to assist with their transition from high school to college. Over 400 students participate each academic year in one or both of these programs, and retention rates for students in these programs from summer to fall are on average 95 percent or better.

* * * * * *AWARDS AND RECOGNITION * * * * * *

SARC:

• 2005 Outstanding Institutional Advising Program Certificate of Merit-Probation Intervention Program (NACADA)
• 2005 Web Site Excellence Award (NCLCA and LSCHE)
• 2002 Outstanding Institutional Advising Program–Pegasus Success Program (NACADA)

TTS:

• 2006 Bronze Program Excellence Award (NASPA)
• 2006 Advising Technology Innovation Award (NACADA)

UTC:

• 
  2006 Top 100 CLEP Exam Centers in Country (CLEP)
• 2006 Most Spanish CLEP Exams in the Country (CLEP)
• 2005 Top 100 CLEP Exam Centers in Country (CLEP)

FYAE–academic advisors have received the following awards:

• 2006 Region IV Certificate of Merit (NACADA)
• 2005 Outstanding FY Student Advocate (UCF)
• 2005 Excellence in Professional Advising Award (UCF)
  2004 Certificate of Merit in Professional Advising (NACADA)

Multicultural Academic and Support Services

MASS provides transition and support services for currently enrolled multicultural students. In addition, two MASS staff members support UCF student organizations (UCF Gospel and Cultural Choir and the National Council of Negro Women) by assisting in the planning and coordination of yearly programs and activities.

The Reclaiming Educational Achievement through Communication and Hard Work (REACH) program assists students (freshmen to seniors) in academic difficulty. These students are either on probation, disqualified, or excluded from the university.

The Seizing Opportunities for Achievement and Retention (SOAR) Program is a six-week residential summer program that provides students access to UCF upon successful completion of the program. Students have an opportunity to connect with faculty, develop study skills and make a smooth transition to college. This program also works with UCF’s Housing and Residential Life to provide the opportunity for students to familiarize themselves with the UCF community by living on campus. Since 1980, the program has served approximately 1,500 students and has achieved an overall retention rate of 98 percent.

University Testing Center

UTC strives to meet the needs of UCF students, prospective students, alumni and the greater Orlando Metropolitan area by providing a wide variety of testing services, such as ACT, CLAST, CLEP, FTCE, LSAT, MCAT and many others in order to foster excellence in higher education and create opportunities for success. Annually, UTC administers over 20,000 standardized examinations.

UTC is closely involved with UCF colleges to assist with their testing needs. For example, UTC works with the College of Education to help education majors meet their CLAST and General Knowledge Test requirements, which in turn enables students to be admitted to upper-level courses.

First Year Advising and Exploration

Celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, FYAE provides academic advising to firstyear students at the university through innovative advising programs. FYAE has numerous outreach programs that they coordinate and execute throughout the academic year to help connect with freshmen. In addition, the office collaborates with other university departments and faculty, to develop various programming events and initiatives.

Several initiatives new to the office in fall 2005 include the Advisor in Residence (AIR) program and the Knight Success Program. In 2006, the office will provide advising for firstyear students admitted to the EXCEL program, a National Science Foundation (NSF) funded grant program targeting underrepresented students pursuing STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) majors.

A major event and outreach program from FYAE is the Welcome Expo, a UCF tradition to introduce students to university departments and student organizations.

The office also coordinates the Grad On Track (GOT) program, which is an Academic Affairs initiative that guarantees graduation in four years, provided students comply with all the requirements of the program.

Transfer and Transition Services

The Office of TTS provides advising and programming for students to ensure a successful transition into the University of Central Florida. By providing a connection to resources and critical information, TTS is able to assist students with their preparation, transition and progression toward graduation at UCF.

TTS advises current and potential transfer students, accelerated freshmen (admitted with 45+ hours), students not admitted to limited or restricted access majors and students who want to change majors. TTS collaboration facilitates Orientation advising and registration, and major and career exploration for undeclared and undecided students. TTS also provides potential students with pre-admission advising, including program prerequisites, the General Education Program and specific degree requirements.

Under a new state initiative, TTS connects with students and staff at UCF and at community colleges classes and events to increase the number of graduates in the targeted majors identified by the Florida Board of Governors. Many of these majors have prerequisites and special admission requirements that limit or restrict access. Additionally, TTS serves as the liaison with community colleges and other schools to collaborate on programming and to develop articulation agreements.