Summer 2015 Newsletter - University of Alaska Anchorage

UNIVERSITY OF ALASKA ANCHORAGE
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Summer 2015 Edition
OUR MISSION: IMPROVE THE RATES OF STUDENT RETENTION RESULTING IN
DEGREE COMPLETION.
Student Connect
What’s Inside:
A publication of UAA Student Support Services
Director’s Text
1
Connie’s Corner
Welcome Class of
2019!
2
Cat’s Corner
2
Did You Know?
Program Highlights
3
Student Spotlight
4
Summer Events
Dr. Kim Patterson,
Director
Director’s Text: “Opportunity”
Milton Berle is credited with the saying “If opportunity doesn’t knock, build a door”;
however, a more contemporary version of this quote notes If opportunity doesn’t
knock, tear the hinges off the door and tackle it in the street. The stark difference
in the second adage is rooted in the fact that many students of color (SOC) are
playing by an old set of rules relative to academic opportunity. In this rite, whereas
many wait to be noticed for their interests, regarding academic disciplines; and recognized for their skills, and potential, relative to academic achievement; others
have discovered that the new rules of engagement demand that in order to enter
and compete within certain academic and career arenas, they must first create
opportunities where few, if any, exist.
In a newly released American College Testing report on “Understanding the Underserved Learner: the Condition of STEM 2014” researchers report that the achievement gap between SOC and the overall student population, relative to Science,
Technology, Engineering, and Math, was attributed to disproportionate access to
resources, failed affirmation of interest, and meager opportunities to strengthen
skills.
What does this imply? Educators must be intentional in providing opportunities
from which SOC can enhance their skills, while SOC must create opportunities to
enhance skills where opportunities are not existent or readily accessible. Volunteering to be a research assistance for a faculty research project, practicing online
tests to sharpen your STEM skills, and seeking out STEM conferences and meetings to stay abreast of new trends are some ways to tackle evasive opportunities.
Waiting for opportunities is noble; however, competitive learners hunt them down.
Dr. Kim Patterson, Director
Connie’s Corner
Greetings, Students:
Catherine “Cat” Adkinson
Office Manager
The Summer semester is winding down and next month marks the start of Fall
2015 classes.
Please remember that if you need help with registration, financial aid questions, or
other services, my office is located in the Rasmuson Hall, Multicultural Center, and
I am in the office generally from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday. If I am
elsewhere on campus, I usually post a sign on the door indicating when I will return.
Connie Carlisle, BSW
Student Success Coordinator
We are planning a variety of great services for Fall 2015, and I would like to see all
SSS students in high attendance. Each service is designed with student success in
mind so continue to register for, and lend insight toward, the types of workshops
that will best aid your success at UAA. Enjoy the rest of the Summer!
Student Connect
Page 2
Welcome SSS Class
Did You
Know?
of 2019!
Student Support Services welcomes all of our new participants that have joined us
this summer. In particular, we extend a warm welcome to the first-year freshmen
Class of 2019:

Sunday Dak

Marioma Ismael

Sonna Marenah

Daisy Duarte

Tiffany Kentaro

Hanaa Omar

Miranda Evon

Annie Lee

Isabel Perez-Gomez

Sahal Hares Bin Zubaeir

John Lee

Lucia Reed

Bao Her

Ka Lee

Tammalivis Salanoa

Kang Her

Kong Lee

Pang Xiong

Ying Her

Mai Lee

Buasai Yang

Najma Hussein

Kia Lor
The Class of 2019 will start their academic journey in the Student Support Services
Learning Community that begins with the August 3rd and 4th Transition program
followed by completion of the SSS Creating Success in College course this Fall.
That 71% of all Student
Support Services participants are female.
That the largest segment of
Student Support Services
participants (34%) are majoring in a Health Science
field.
Again: Welcome Class of 2019 to UAA and Student Support Services!
Cat’s Corner
Office Manager, Catherine (“Cat”) Adkinson joined
Student Support Services in March of this year to
help provide support to SSS staff and students.
Cat’s office is located in the 1901 SSS Bragaw
Street building; however, she is always available to:

Take student calls @ 786-1380,

Schedule SSS students for tutoring,

Assist SSS students with FAFSA completion,

Assist with technology check-outs, and

Meet with SSS peer mentors.
Cat’s email is [email protected].
Over 75% of 2015 first-time,
first-year Student Support
Services freshmen are the
first in their family to attend
college.
On average, 20% of Student
Support Services students
enroll in summer courses
each year.
Summer 2015 Edition
Page 3
Spring 2015 - Summer 2015 Program Highlights
1901 Bragaw Street Move
Student Support Services completed the
move of its administrative office to the 1901
Bragaw Street building (Intersection of E.
20th and Bragaw near East High). Whereas
commuter students may find the Bragaw office a convenient stop-off on the way home;
most students can receive services from
Connie at our campus office located within
the Rasmuson Hall Multicultural Center.
Professional Mentoring:
Nursing Majors
Nursing majors comprise
a large percentage of SSS
students. In April SSS
hosted Alaska Regional
RN Jennifer Hazen, in the
Student Union. Jenniferpresented best-preparation steps and information
for aspiring UAA SSS Nursing majors.
Bragaw
Rasmuson Hall
Connie Carlisle
Student Leadership
Special appreciation goes out to the 2015
SSS Peer Mentor team: Nyanchor Dak, Reth
Duir, Maria Lee, Atixhe Lena, Lee Vang, and
Judy Vu. With their assistance over 90% of
first-year
UAA
SSS freshman
re-enrolled
in
Spring
2015
courses. Good
job!
Look for
our
men t o r
team to lend
support again in
Fall to our Class of 2019!
Adaptive Learning Project
E– Portfolio
In partnership with Academic Innovations
and eLearning, and UAA Advising and Testing, Student Support Services will introduce
first-year students to e-portfolio basics
through the SSS Transition program and the
Creating Success in College course. Students’ performance will be captured through
this electronic medium that will showcase
their learning while serving as a foundation
for future academic opportunities. Students
will be encouraged to add to their portfolios
for the duration of their undergraduate studies as a Seawolf.
In partnership with
the Council for Opportunity in Education, UAA
Student Support Services hosted an Adaptive
Learning Math program for 13 undergraduate participants. Students were assessed for
current proficiency in Math prior to assuming
a tailored regimen to address knowledge
weaknesses. Students completing the
course experienced growth in basic skills.
Page 4
SSS Student Spotlight:
The list can go on.
Yesenia Camarena
Yesenia has been a part of the Student Support Services family since
2010. Now a Senior at UAA majoring
in International Studies she also possesses an interest in Pre-med.
In her own words: I can’t wait to graduate. Fall 2017 should be my last semester, and although this was a tough
year for me, I enjoyed every bit of it.
I’m not that much of a fan of the infamous ‘all nighters’, but I can cope. Once I’m done with all
my pre-requisites for pre-med, I’ll be able to study for the
MCAT, which sadly requires you to say goodbye to your social life. I can’t wait! But in all seriousness, I’m really looking forward to taking the MCAT because it’s just one-step
away from getting into medical school, which is what I’ve
been working hard towards since my Sophomore year.
I was fortunate enough to work along with Dr. Gabriel Garcia, from the Department of Health Sciences, and Dr. Joy
Chavez Mapaye from the Department of Journalism and
Communications, in helping research Smoke/Tobacco-Free
Universities for the past 3 years. Without their mentorship
and tremendous support, I would have never imagined that
our group would help pass a comprehensive smoke and
tobacco-free policy, which will be coming to UAA Nov.19,
2015. This was such a tremendous achievement that,
hopefully, everything I learned from the
smoke/tobacco-free implementation
team will be able to be utilized and make
a significant change in my medical field,
whether it be in tobacco use and prevention, providing medical support in rural
areas, or assessing healthcare needs in
Yesenia’s story first
developing countries.
appeared in the July
2014 Green and Gold.
3211 Providence Drive, Bragaw 120
Anchorage, AK. 99503
Phone: 907.786.1380
Fax: 907.786.1383
Dr. Kim Patterson: [email protected]
Catherine Adkinson: [email protected]
Connie Carlisle: [email protected]
Open: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm; Monday through Friday.
All in all, I’m not sure where I’ll end up, but I do know that
I’ll make a fantastic doctor! So, for all of those who are still
figuring out how to get the best out of your undergraduate
years, know that you don’t have to be involved in so many
things. Just figure out what you like and be really good at
that one thing, and you’ll be surprised with how many
things you can accomplish.
Summer 2015 Calendar of Events
Adaptive Learning, June 15 - July 24
Designed for the student preparing for Math 107 in Fall
2015, this self-paced, six-week electronic tutorial program provides students with video tutorials, practice
tests, and an SSS Math Coach and Instructor to monitor
their progress and success.
1st Year Transition Program, Aug. 3 - 4
In partnership with UAA New Student Orientation incoming freshmen will receive an introduction to the UAA
campus (Day 1) followed by an introduction to Student
Support Services and college success (Day 2). The sessions will occur from 9:00 am - 5:00 pm.
Convocation & Campus Kick-off: August 22
First - year freshmen are encouraged to attend the Convocation in the Wendy Williamson Auditorium, and all
students are encouraged to attend Campus Kick-off in
the Cuddy Quad. SSS will be on site to help welcome all
Seawolves back to campus.
Fall Semester Begins, August 24
Fall semester begins next month. Students are encouraged to see an SSS Advisor for assistance with registration, financial aid questions, and other preparations.
Student Support Services is on Facebook!
Like our page for real time updates on services as
well as deadlines!
https://
www.facebook.comStudentSupportServicesUAA
Student Support Services is a fully-funded Trio program of the U.S. Department of Education in the amount of $216,252.00
annually. SEC. 402 D Higher Education Act of 1965 SEC. 402D 20 U.S.C. 1070a-14.