Getting through college takes many skills. It also requires building relationships with university resources and communities that support student discovery and provide a sense of direction for those who may need a little guidance along the way. SSS offers a variety of resources and services that are tailored to address the individual needs of students such as:
Academic Coaching & Development: Receive ongoing academic support from SSS Academic Skills Coaches. SC’s are outstanding UA students who work with participants on study skills development, successful classroom behaviors, problem solving skills, and test-taking strategies. SC’s help students develop plans for addressing academic weaknesses and increasing their academic success.
Personal Support: Learn about balancing the demands of college life at UA with SSS Peer Advisors. PA’s are well-trained student professionals who meet regularly with participants to ensure that students are supported and encouraged to succeed. Additionally, SSS Retention Specialists provide confidential personal support, crisis intervention, and information and referral services, including campus health and counseling services.
Success & Leadership Courses: Two instructional courses are offered specifically for SSS participants. LRC 297b, “Connections” is a 3 unit course for freshmen that explores topics that help students successfully transition to the U of A. EDL 282, “Leadership in Student Support Services” is a 2 unit course for sophomores and juniors that promotes career and academic leadership skills, critical thinking, and community engagement.
Major/Career Exploration: In conjunction with Career Services and Tucson community partners, participants explore academic majors and career options through interest inventories, job shadowing, community service projects and technical assistance with job and internship applications.
Success Plans: Individualized Success Plans are developed with each participant during the first month of every fall semester. The plan is a mutually created “contract” that designed to address academic and transitional issues facing the new student; or academic and personal development issues specific to returning students.
Monthly Workshops: Attend interactive workshops that focus on academic, financial, and career issues of interest and concern to program participants in a timely manner. A monthly theme is utilized to create workshop topics that are offered twice in the month.
Mid-Term Progress Reports: Approximately 6 weeks into fall and spring semesters, all SSS participants will be provided “progress reports” to complete with their course instructors. Students often use the progress reports to initiate discussion with faculty about their progress in the class. Students with less than a "C" in any course can with their Retention Specialist to create a plan for improvement and arrange additional tutoring support for the course.
Connect 2 Culture Activities: Participate free of charge in a variety of events designed to expand and enrich UA experience for students. Attend plays, museums, sporting events, holiday parties, hiking trips, and on-campus events which provide opportunities for learning and socializing together.
Summer Tuition Scholarship: For qualifying students, receive supplemental financial assistance toward timely progress in completing their college degree. Scholarships are reserved for actively participating students who will take at least one summer course at the U of A.
