Academic Support Services
designed for student success
University College’s uniquely student-centered focus extends beyond its nationally recognized academic programs. This academic college also houses five distinct student resources: Supplemental Instruction, the SMART Center, the ESL Study and Tutorial Center, the Senior Seminar and the Learning Support Program.
1. Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a free academic assistance program offered to all students in select courses with high DFW rates. “SI targets high-risk courses, not at-risk students,” said Nancy Burney, the SI program director.
The purpose of SI is threefold: to increase retention within targeted historically difficult courses, to improve student grades in those courses, and to increase the graduation rate of students.
Burney states that all students in the targeted class are encouraged to attend two SI sessions a week, which are led by a student who has previously made an A in the course.
The program’s mission is to provide an environment that increases the learning and retention of all students enrolled in those courses supported by the SI program. The program consists of student academic facilitators (SI Leaders) whose purpose is to provide structure to the study sessions.
The following link presents a two-minute video of an SI session:
2. The Science and Math Academic Resource and Tutoring (SMART) Center offers free tutoring and support services for all KSU students. With centers on both the Kennesaw and Marietta campuses,
the SMART Center offers support for all mathematics, chemistry, physics, and
engineering courses that are part of the general education curriculum.
"The SMART Center gives students an opportunity to ask questions in a semi-one-on-one environment that they may not be able to get answered during a class period. The variety of tutors on staff also gives students exposure to many different teaching styles that they
may not normally see,” shared
Robert Jordan, the center’s director.
3. According to Director David
Schmidt, the ESL Study
and Tutorial Center offers all
international students at KSU
English tutoring, general
education academic advising,
and mentoring. They can also receive assistance with ESL grammar and oral communication as well as tutoring in the areas of writing, reading, pronunciation, and presentation skills.
The center also houses Conversation Partners, a fun program that is free and open to all international and native English-speaking students, faculty, and staff at KSU. Schmidt was proud to share the participation statistics, noting that “in fall 2014, the Conversation Partners Program had record participation: 286 native English speakers and international students from 39 countries.” As described on the college's website, the program launches at the start of each fall and spring semester by pairing international students with native English-speaking partners in a mutual exchange of languages, cultures, and friendship.
by Loretta Daniels