Improving student success remains one of the University's top priorities. A number of initiatives are being implemented this academic year to provide comprehensive support for students to succeed. Beginning this fall, there will be a phase-in of an automated early identification system to help at-risk students stay on track in their courses and programs of study. A new advising and degree audit tool, DegreeWorks, will be implemented to improve the advising experience for students and faculty. An integrated and collaborative strategy for academic and career advising will be developed between Student Life and Academic Affairs during this academic year to ensure that students are guided through career exploration and purpose.
To support the diversity and success of Pacific students, two academic support areas have been expanded this year - English as a Second Language (ESL) support for international students and general academic tutoring:
- Faculty can direct students to Rebekah McCormack, the new Assistant Director of the Intensive English Program, to learn about a variety of ESL courses as well as workshops to develop language skills. She will also offer faculty and staff ESL workshops to help them assist with international students' needs.
- Faculty and students can contact Martin Gonzales, the new General Academic Tutoring Manager, to organize tutoring for undergraduate courses, including the coordination of supplemental instruction in several gateway courses in the Departments of Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Economics.
The implementation of Student Success Initiative is the result of the collaborative and cross-institutional work of the Student Success Committee, established by President Eibeck in Fall 2014, consisting of 35 members including faculty, students, staff and administration from across Pacific. The results of the Committee's work over the past academic year is available in their year-end report, found here. |
