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Jill Simons, Ed.D., Dean and Associate Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs
Nikesha Nesbitt, Ed.D., Associate Dean of University College

University College provides campus-wide academic retention and student success initiatives with primary oversight of the following areas:

• Provide comprehensive academic advising and mentoring support services for all first-year students, exploratory majors and special student populations to help clarify academic and personal strengths.
• Provide academic skills instruction to instill personal responsibility and prepare students for a successful transition into and through higher education.
• Provide a comprehensive academic support structure to enhance student success toward degree attainment.
• Provide alternative degree options to meet unique interests and goals of students.
• Provide campus-wide academic retention oversight including planning reporting and assessing initiatives.
• Provide a dynamic work environment that encourages collaboration, professional development and meaningful assessment.

Flexible Degree Opportunities

University College offers students who are seeking innovative custom degrees or degree completion alternatives several options. These include the En Route Associate of Arts or Associate of Science, the Associate of General Studies, the Bachelor of Applied Science, the Bachelor of General Studies, and the Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies degree. A Minor in Leadership Studies is also offered. University College also coordinates the awarding of college credit for out-of-classroom experiences. For more information, see the Nontraditional Studies section of this bulletin.

Student Outreach Services

University College sponsors the campus-wide, early alert, academic referral program which provides faculty the opportunity to communicate with students about issues related to academic performance. Students are referred to student services for assistance, as appropriate. Typical referrals include absenteeism, poor test performance, missing coursework and/or excessive tardiness. Faculty participate in the program voluntarily, but it is highly encouraged.

FIRST YEAR EXPERIENCE

Kelli Listenbee, Coordinator

All first-year students are required to take a First Year Experience (FYE) Seminar called Making Connections during their first semester of enrollment at A-State regardless of the number of concurrent, AP and other college credits earned while in high school, or the summer directly following high school. This course is an integral part of the overall first year experience and is designed to assist students to make a smooth transition to the university experience. There are a variety of FYE courses offered, including numerous discipline-specific sections as well as sections for undecided majors and Transition Studies students. All courses have a common core curriculum that includes academic performance skills, time management, research skills, problem solving and understanding university policies and expectations. University College also supports the First-year Advisor Board and First-year Honor Societies.

Students who complete 13 or more credited, transferable hours following high school completion and the summer immediately following high school completion are exempt from this requirement unless the course is required by students’ majors.

EMERGING SCHOLARS PROGRAM

Jennifer Salo, Director

The Emerging Scholars Program provides individualized support for every Red Wolf to develop as a scholar and leader through transformative, high-impact opportunities locally, nationally, and around the world.

Competitive Fellowships & Scholarships

Competitive Fellowships and Scholarships are prestigious national awards available to undergraduates, grad students, and alumni. We provide coaching and application development assistance for a variety of nationally competitive programs for study abroad, service and leadership, and education in STEM research. A-State can help you find and prepare for competitive opportunities that fit your interests and goals. If you have passion and commitment to a cause, well-defined goals for your future, research experience, or interest in cultural experiences, this program has opportunities for you.

Chancellor’s Leadership Class

The Chancellor’s Leadership Class is designed to provide opportunities for first-year students interested in leadership to develop their academic, career, and personal goals through networking with and learning from distinguished community leaders on campus, around northeast Arkansas, and across the state. CLC meets once a week and focuses on topics including academics, leadership, campus involvement, service, professional development, and cultural engagement. Students put their leadership skills into practice by working together on at least one community service project.

Red Wolf Works

Red Wolf Works provides a platform for faculty and students to work collaboratively in an interdisciplinary setting on real-world projects that assist students in the development of an employability framework, community and global relationships, and service-minded thinking. Signature Experiences allow students to have real-world educational opportunities that challenge them to go above and beyond a traditional class or leadership role. Signature Courses are interdisciplinary and experiential-based, and provide opportunities to thoughtfully integrate academic knowledge, demonstrate service-minded thinking, and foster practical solutions.

TRANSITION STUDIES

Toccara Carter, Director
Instructors: Ferrell, Seaton
Advisors: Beaver, Everett, Hamilton, Vivar, Williams

Transition Studies is the academic home for students entering the university through the Transition Studies Admissions program. The department also houses developmental courses in math, reading and writing as well as academic coaching services.

Admitted freshmen who require remediation (based on entrance exam scores) or who have less than a 3.00 cumulative high school GPA are required to participate in the Transition Studies leadership based support group throughout their enrollment at Arkansas State University. Students admitted through Transition Studies participate in a required comprehensive four year program that utilizes intrusive advising, tutoring, workshops, and strict class attendance regulations. Students whose ACT or other equivalent scores in reading, writing and mathematics are below a 19 are required by Arkansas law to take developmental courses in those areas during the first two periods of enrollment. While in Transition Studies, students complete developmental courses (if required), general education courses and a success lab curriculum that includes UC 1013, Making Connections. Students must meet the Transition Studies program and grade point average requirements to continue at A-State. Additional Information about admission through Transition Studies is available at the University College website.

Academic Success Coaches are the primary point of contact for a select group of students admitted through the TS program. The Academic Success Coach will motivate, provide individualized planning to students admitted through Transition Studies, and assist with retention efforts from enrollment through graduation.

LEARNING SUPPORT

Kelli Listenbee, Director

Located on the 3rd floor of the Dean B Ellis Library, Learning Support provides A-State students with the knowledge and skills to develop into successful, independent learners. Services offered include individual and group tutoring, course-based support through learning groups, specialized workshops and academic coaching for individual student success. Students may request assistance through the scheduling app, Penji. All services provided through Learning Support are free to students. Other tutoring services are available across campus. More information can be found on the A-State website.

HONORS COLLEGE

Rebecca Oliver, Director

University College is home to A-State’s prestigious Honors College. For more information, refer to the Honors College section of this bulletin.

STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Jerrod Lockhart, Director
Staff: Confer, Scaife

Student Support Services (SSS), located on the A-State campus, report to the Office of the Vice Chancellor of Research and Academic Affairs through University College. SSS is housed on the first floor of the Dean B. Ellis Library in the Learning Commons. The program is funded through grants from the United States Department of Education.

SSS provides a variety of services to eligible A-State students to help them be successful college students. Services include group and individual tutoring, counseling and advising, assistance with financial aid applications, career planning, workshops on study skills, time and stress management and test taking skills, use of SSS notebook computers, use of the University College computer lab and cultural and social activities. Students may be accepted into this program after acceptance at A-State and are encouraged to make application at orientation. In addition, students with disabilities may be eligible for Student Support Services.

WILSON CENTER FOR ACADEMIC ADVISING

Melissa Jackson, Director
Advisors: Bevly Curbo, Henderson, Ott, Singleton

The Wilson Advising Center works collaboratively with the campus community to provide a quality academic advising experience for both the students and faculty of Arkansas State University. The center promotes the academic development of college students through advising, mentoring, and instructional opportunities

The Wilson Advising Center is the primary home for advisement of exploratory students at Arkansas State University. This office offers walk-in style services Monday through Friday from 8:00am-5:00pm. Any student, regardless of their major, is encouraged to contact this office with general advising questions or concerns at 972-3001.

The Advising Center also provides services for students placed on academic probation or suspension. See Restart@state under academic standing policies in the bulletin for more information on academic standing programs. The Advising Center is the first stop for students who need to withdraw from A-State. The Advising Center provides faculty advisor trainings, and promotes continual professional development of academic advisors at A-State.

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