Center for Student Success Page 1 CENTER FOR STUDENT SUCCESS Student Success Newsletter Volume 5 Issue 1, September 2016 Newsletter Editor: Jacinthe Proctor Newsletter Co-Editor: Julie Cruz In This Issue  Executive Director’s Message  Welcome Message  CSS Learning Center Hours  CSS Workshops  Learning Assistant Spotlight  Student Life Article  University Bound Update  Summer Bridge Update  SB Student Reflection  Contact Us UVI - Specializing in Futures - Historically American. Uniquely Caribbean. Globally Interactive. Center for Student Success Page 2 The University of the Virgin Islands is one of more than 200 institutions of higher education participating in the Student Success Collaborative – an initiative developed by the Education Advisory Board (EAB) that combines technology, research, process improvement, and predictive analytics to help institutions positively inflect outcomes among students across campus. UVI joined SSC Campus as part of our ongoing efforts to enhance the student experience and improve retention and graduation rates of our students. EAB is a data collection and analytics team who will assist us in examining the impact of all areas of campus on student retention. We will be working together to hardwire student success throughout the University. The consulting team and analytics will assist with strategies for retention and timely graduation. We will also begin a targeted advising campaign in an effort of focused, proactive outreach to a population of students needing specific interventions or actions. We will be working with Access and Enrollment, Financial Aid, Faculty Advisors, Student Success Specialists, and all other areas of campus to create a Coordinated Care Network for students. Student risk analytics is just the first step to building a continuously improving student support infrastructure. We are upgrading student tracking systems to be a comprehensive database of student performance across every student contact point on campus. This will be a single system of record for all notes, alerts, and interactions with students. The system enables proactive outreach and interventions, campus-wide case management, and central reporting and evaluation. The goal of EAB is to enable higher education institutions to optimize their student success efforts, incorporate data-driven insights into advising interactions, and advance a positive culture of student success. Through this work, the EAB-SSC team has helped collabora- tive members to develop proactive, coordinated student support and realize significant retention and persistence gains as well as improve student and advisor satisfaction with academic advising. In the upcoming months each area of campus will work with the Center for Student Success to engage in the development of the student tracking and analytics system. Various individuals and value leaders will be called upon to assist with the rollout and in developing accountability systems to enhance student support and retention. I thank you in advance as we work together on behalf of all UVI students. Regards, Dr. Stephen Moore Executive Director of Student Success Executive Director’s Message Dr. Stephen Moore Executive Director of Student Success and Honors Program Interested in learning more about UVI’s accreditation process… Interested in being involved with reaccreditation… For more information about UVI’s Greatness by Design Moving the Needle or interested in participating Contact Mrs. Tina Koopmans, Vice President for Information Technology Services and Assessment, at GreatnessbyDesign@uvi.edu or (340) 693-1460. Center for Student Success Page 3 Wendy Fedler has been hired as a Student Success Specialist / Academic Advisor II in the Center for Student Success on the Albert A. Sheen Campus, St. Croix. Wendy comes to UVI from Grand View University in Des Moines, Iowa where she served students for 8 years: initially as the Assistant Director of Academic Advising and most recently as the Associate Director of Student Success in charge of Academic Advising and Enrichment. Wendy has experience with student outreach, teaching study skills, time management, and academic planning. She has also worked extensively in faculty / advisor development. Wendy earned her MAE in Postsecondary Education from the University of Northern Iowa and her Bachelor Degree in Social Work from Mount Mercy University. Question of the Issue “How do you get an early start to each day?” Email your answer to the CSS newsletter editor at jprocto@uvi. edu with the subject line “My routine for get- ting an early start each day” for a chance to see your response in our next CSS newslet- ter. Welcome to CSS team!!! St. Thomas Campus CSS Learning Center Mondays - 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Tuesdays - 9:00 a.m.– 7:00 p.m. Wednesdays - 9:00 a.m. - 7: 00 p.m. Thursdays - 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Fridays - 9:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Saturdays - 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Albert A. Sheen Campus, St. Croix CSS Learning Center Mondays - 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Tuesdays - 8:00 a.m.– 7:00 p.m. Wednesdays - 8:00 a.m. - 7: 00 p.m. Thursdays - 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m. Fridays - 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Saturdays - 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. Writing Center Mondays - 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Tuesdays - 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Wednesdays - 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Thursdays - 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. Fridays - 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Sundays - 2:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. CSS Academic Learning Assistance Service Hours Mrs. Wendy Fedler Academic Advisor II / Student Success Specialist Albert A. Sheen Campus, St. Croix Center for Student Success Page 4 Freshman Development Seminar Workshop Upcoming CSS Workshops Center for Student Success Workshops CSS facilitated a Freshman Development Seminar In- structor workshop on May 24, 2016. The workshop was conducted by Dr. Stephen Moore, and David Capriola. Other FDS 100 instructors also presented. The Freshman Development Seminar (FDS)100 workshop was created as a learning and sharing environment for current and future FDS 100 instructors. The workshop intent was to create a faculty learning community to work on pedagogy and best practices in teaching and learning. Connecting freshmen to the University of the Virgin Islands enhances the overall academic mission of the University by providing a quality education to our students and increasing faculty-student engagement. Study Skills Workshops Dates: September 14, 2016 and October 13, 2016 Times: 2:00 p.m.-3:00 p.m. and 11:00 a.m.– 12:00 noon Locations: Sports and Fitness Center, room 222 and West Hall Gain tips and learn strategies on a variety of learning and study habits Time Management Workshops Dates: September 28, 2016 and October 27, 2016 Times: 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. and 11:00 - 12:00 noon Location: West Hall Learn how to increase productivity, reduce stress and improve your overall academic results Causes and Consequences of Failure in College Workshop Date: October 17, 2016 Time: 3:00-4:00p.m. Location: Sports and Fitness Center, room 222 Identify reasons for students failing college and what students can do to avoid falling into these traps. EPE Workshops Dates: October 24, 2016 and October 25, 2016 Times: 1:00 - 2:15p.m. and 12:00 – 1:15p.m Location: CSS Learning Center Gain tips on how to be successful on the EPE.  The Neuro Science of Learning Date: November 2, 2016 Time: 11:00-12:00noon Location: Teachers Education Building, room 216 Neuro science has uncovered the key to how your brain learns. Find out how to study smarter! Center for Student Success Page 5 Learning Assistant Spotlight Chanice J. Williams was born and raised on the beautiful island of St. Thomas. Because of her love for reading, literature, and the fine arts, she chose to major in English at the prestigious University of the Virgin Islands. Currently, she is a senior, and is one step closer to fulfilling her dream- becoming a lawyer. While at UVI, Chanice has been involved in two clubs on campus. The first, the National Society of Black Engineers has helped her to identify with all types of people, regardless of their age, ethnicity, and major. In the second organization, UVIDEA, which she helped founded, Chanice served as the secretary for 2 academic years, and helped to inspire students on campus to adopt a more innovative, entrepreneurial mindset. Chanice is also a University Innovation Fellow, which is a global organization geared towards developing strong young minds that make an impact on college campuses around the world. After being involved in such powerful organizations, Chanice felt the need to help students on her very own campus. Aside from assisting in the start-up of UVI’s very own Hack-a-thon, and playing a role in the founding of the innovation space in the back of the library, Chanice felt as though she could make more of a difference. Thus, she decided to become a tutor. Chanice’s love of the English language combined with her love of helping others motivated her to aid her fellow student to have, at least, a better understanding of the subject she loves so dearly. Currently, Ms. Williams tutors English 120 and 201 at UVI’s Center for Student Success (CSS). She is very passionate about helping students strengthening their weaknesses and hopes to make a change big enough to inspire a love of English in others. For more information about CSS Learning Center on STT Contact Dr. Cindy Mercer #2 John Brewer’s Bay St. Thomas, USVI 00802-9990 (340) 693-1196 cindy.mercer@live.uvi.edu For more information about CSS Learning Center or Writing Center on STX contact Maria Fleming CSS Learning Center RR1 Box 10000 Kingshill, St. Croix, USVI 00850-9990 (340) 692-4183 mflemin@live.uvi.edu Dr. Valerie Combie Writing Center RR1 Box 10000 Kingshill, St. Croix, USVI 00850-9990 (340) 692-4126 vcombie@uvi.edu Visit us on the web at www.css.uvi.edu Center for Student Success Page 6 The most important factor that affects the student life is the value of time. Being a student we should do everything on time as it never waits for anyone. There are different stages in our life. One of these stages is student days. Student life is considered as the most important period of our life. Our future dreams, desires and hopes depend upon it. Student life is a period of preparations. It is a period of education. At this time, our mind is like clay. Clay is a soft thing and the potter designs various things out of the clay. Like clay, our mind can also be shaped in different ways. Once the pots are made their shape cannot be changed. Likewise, once our character is formed in one way, it cannot be changed easily. If we make right use and receive good education during our student life, we shall be successful in future. On the other hand, if we aren’t serious at this time, we can’t achieve our goals. Students, therefore, should be very careful. We must think seriously before every step we take. We must learn new things as much as possible at this period. Students are the future leaders of a nation. The prosperity of a nation depends on its students. We have a responsibility to acquire proper education, maintain good character and live a respectable social life. Obedience, diligence, regularity and forbearance are the important parts of student life. We must learn perseverance; it is the root of all success. If we are idle and cannot move on according to time, we can achieve nothing. The most important factor that affects the student life is the value of time. Being a student we should do everything on time as it never waits for anyone. Obeying one’s parents and teachers and respecting and loving one’s elders are the great virtues of a student. Another important part of a student’s life is his/her social life. A student must have good discipline and he/she must be co-operative with everyone. Social life influences our character in many ways. Many students enter college expecting good times, friendship and a good sense of direction. They soon find out that colleges come with challenges and struggles because of the great demands and expectations that are put on the importance of education. Students experience a great deal of stress many times. Thus, it is very important for them to manage a proper routine and stick to it. Student life is the best part of an individual’s life. At this time our main task is to study. We should stop thinking of anything else and concentrate on education. Education must be given the top priority. Student Life by Prabriti Lamichhane Center for Student Success Page 7 University Bound Update The Center for Student Success University Bound 2016 Summer Program. For further information contact Rosalia Rhymer- Rohan at (340) 693-1133 or rrohan@live.uvi.edu University Bound’s 2016 Summer Session took place from June 26 to July 23, 2016 on the St. Thomas Campus and Albert A. Sheen Campus, St. Croix of the University of the Virgin Islands. During this four week program, 59 students participated and gained exposure to a typical college experience. They were enrolled in courses that mimicked their class schedules from their respective schools, for the upcoming school year. These classes included Geometry, Algebra II, Trigonometry, Calculus, Biology, Physics, and Writing. SAT preparation and college/career readiness courses were also incorporated into the students’ schedules. Classes were taught by qualified teachers and professors who did their best to simulate a college course. The students were assigned homework and projects, in addition to being given tests, midterms, and final exams. Outside of the classroom setting, students spent ample time at the libraries developing healthy study habits. Between classes and study hall, students participated in a wide range of fun and engaging activities including: learning how to tie-dye clothes, going swimming with the sea turtles, and learning how to make Johnny Cakes. The students were constantly entertained with creative, cultural, team building, and bonding activities. One of the larger activities was our very first Spirit Week. Students were required to dress according to a predetermined theme in order to gain points for their dorms. They also received points from winning different challenges and competitions during the week. At the end of the week the points determined which dorm would win an ice-cream party. The week brought students together and fostered great camaraderie through friendly competition. The purpose of the University Bound Program is to guide students to find the joys of learning with and from one another, motivate them to excel, along with the exposure that will nurture a college-ready mindset. The core goal of University Bound is to increase the number of Virgin Islands students that not only enroll but graduate from institutions of higher learning. Ultimately, the summer program is geared toward boosting students’ confidence socially, emotionally, and academically to foster brighter futures. Center for Student Success Page 8 The Center for Student Success Summer Bridge 2016 Program is a program that is designed to assist students better transition from high school to college. The program was held June 26 - July 29, 2016. Summer Bridge Update Albert A. Sheen Campus, St. Croix Summer Bridge The Center for Student Success 6th annual Summer Bridge Program on the Albert A. Sheen and the St. Thomas campuses were a success. The 2016 program attracted 69 college bound high school graduates on the two campuses. As in the past, the students met and interacted with UVI faculty; administrators and staff; completed tasks related to UVI admission; enrolment and financial aid; learned about various campus resources; met with academic advisors; took placement tests and had the opportunity to register for classes early. St. Thomas Campus Summer Bridge Faculty Albert A. Sheen Campus, St. Croix Summer Bridge Faculty Instructors Sharon Charles—Writing, Maria Edwards—Critical Reading Kodzo Ekpe—Mathematics, and Maria Fleming—FDS 100 Resident and Teacher Assistants Felicia Hanley, Rodney Harris, Fabian Tobiere, and Estica Caesar Instructors Dr. Patricia Harkins Pierre—Writing, Prof. Linda Wymer— Critical Reading, Prof. Glen Monticeux—Mathematics, and Dr. Cindy Mercer—College Success Resident and Teacher Assistants Oldaine Claxton– RA, Juan Carlos Martinez - RA, Nyeka Martin– RA, Tonecia Rogers - TA, Krystal Singh - TA, and Marvin Shelford -TA St. Thomas Campus Summer Bridge students Center for Student Success Page 9 Summer Bridge Student Reflection My name is Hilrianna Chooran; I attended the Summer Bridge Program at the University of the Virgin Islands (St. Thomas Campus). It was truly an educational and fun experience! I learned how to strengthen my weaknesses in Writing, Reading and Math. Summer Bridge has not only prepared me for the Placement Test but it also prepared me for college life with a class called College Success. The College Success class helped me discover who I am academically; I also learned about the staff and faculty and the program educated me about the different resources that are on the campus. I would encourage every student to attend Summer Bridge especially if your SAT scores are not the best. This program was very beneficial to me when I first entered UVI. One of my experiences in this program that really influenced me greatly was Math. Professor Monty’s class was my biggest weakness because I struggle with Math. I am a student who has a test anxiety problem but that never stopped me from trying and giving my all. With Professor Monty’s nurturing and guidance, I was able to build just enough confidence to lock my Math skills and pass the Placement Test. Summer Bridge is a great program; everyone who is in charge of the students cares and wants to see every student do great things in life. The leaders of the program even made sure we had time for fun; we had water balloon fights, movie nights, bingo night and marshmallow bridge building. The fun activities had an educational theory behind it with Physics, Reading, Writing and observing how the world changes from the past until now. Summer Bridge is not all about work or restrictions, it is about every student having fun while learning and being placed in the right class so they can be successful in college and in life itself. Ms. Hilrianna Chooran Summer Bridge 2016 Congratulations CSS Writing Center The Center for Student Success receives CRLA re-certification for the Writing Center on the Albert A. Sheen Campus, St. Croix The Center for Student Success (CSS) Writing Center on the Albert A. Sheen Campus on St. Croix has been approved for Stage 2, Level 1 certification from August 4, 2016 to August 3, 2019 by the College Reading and Learning Association’s (CRLA) International Tutor Training Program Certification (ITTPC). This re-certification authorizes CSS Writing Center to certify all tutors trained within this period. Dr. Valerie Combie, Writing Center Coordinator, was very instrumental in achieving the re-certification. CSS has been and is continually striving to improve services for all students. We expect great progress with exciting changes and innovations in the coming year. Center for Student Success Page 10 Contact Us Give us a call or send an email for more information about our services and products Center for Student Success #2 John Brewer’s Bay St. Thomas, USVI 00802-9990 (340) 693-1583 Ikysha James ijames@live.uvi.edu RR1 Box 10000 Kingshill, St. Croix, USVI 00850- 9990 (340) 692-4140 Maria Fleming mflemin@live.uvi.edu Visit us on the web at tt Thank You!!! The Center for Student Success expresses a heartfelt appreciation for the generosity and support of the following individuals and companies to the Summer Bridge program:  Department of Labor donated $30,000  Economic Development Authority donated $2000  Valence Co. Inc. donated $250