Eastern's New PASS Program Offers 'Academic Reset'
Willimantic, CT (01/17/2019) — Eastern Connecticut State University is going the extra mile to ensure that African American and Hispanic students who end up on academic probation are provided the support they need to succeed. The new PASS (Promoting Academically Successful Students) program is funded through a $75,000 grant from the Connecticut State Office of Higher Education.
PASS recognizes that African American and Hispanic college students are often first-generation college students without college-educated parents to provide support and personal knowledge of what it is like to attend college. Trying to juggle supporting a family, working to pay for tuition, books, room and board, and studying can be stressful. Adjusting to campus life is also a challenge. The result can be academic probation and can even lead to dropping out.
PASS is managed by Eastern's Office of Continuing Studies and Enhanced Learning (CSEL) in collaboration with the Center for Internships and Career Development (CICD) and Eastern's Advising Center. The program uses a hands-on advising model and an active career development program to inform students of available support services.
"While the PASS Program's immediate goal is to return participants to good academic standing by the end of the semester, its ultimate goal is to reset how students perceive themselves academically and professionally so they put in place learning practices that will sustain them through to graduation," said June Dunn, assistant dean in the Office of Continuing Studies and Enhanced Learning.
Dunn says PASS helps students take charge of their own learning. "This is particularly crucial for first-generation students on probation who may not have family members or mentors who are college graduates to prepare them for college success. They have repeatedly heard it's important to get good grades, and they will tell anyone who asks that their intention is to get good grades. What's unique about Eastern's PASS program is that we are putting in place the infrastructure that helps students internalize the connection between their education and career goals," said Dunn.
PASS requires weekly mandatory advising sessions, skill development workshops, and group meetings for all participating students to review their schedules and make any necessary adjustments. Academic advisors and study skills specialists help students develop individualized action plans that may include more appropriate course selection and/or majors. Students must show how they plan to keep up with coursework and meet professor expectations.
The CICD also has an important role. "Participating students have to take the FOCUS 2 assessment, and then come into the office to meet with a career advisor to assess results," said Cliff Marrett, CIDC director. "The assessment helps each student identify a major and explore career clusters that align with their interests. Students work with their career advisor and check in weekly after they complete their career development assigned tasks."
Participating students also attend workshops on resume development, interviewing skills and dressing for success, and use interactive online job search tools and mentoring programs to connect to potential employers and alumni mentors. "We believe this rigorous academic/career routine will ensure the motivation needed for students to come off and remain off academic probation," said Dunn.
Written by Dwight Bachman
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Eastern Connecticut State University is the state of Connecticut's public liberal arts university, serving more than 5,300 students annually at its Willimantic campus and satellite locations. In addition to attracting students from 163 of Connecticut's 169 towns, Eastern also draws students from 26 other states and 20 other countries. A residential campus offering 40 majors and 65 minors, Eastern offers students a strong liberal art foundation grounded in an array of applied learning opportunities. Ranked the 25th top public university in the North Region by U.S. News and World Report in its 2018 Best College ratings, Eastern has also been awarded 'Green Campus' status by the Princeton Review eight years in a row. For more information, visit www.easternct.edu.
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Academic advisors and study-skills specialists in Easterm’s Advising Center help students develop individualized action plans.