Director: Pease
Academic Advisor/Counselors: Cosper-Hughs, Correa
Early Alert Coordinator: Stevens

The Academic Support Center provides a variety of services leading to the academic success of WNMU students including workshops, academic advising, academic and peer mentoring and other related services.

Academic Advisement

Academic Advisors assist students in defining academic goals and career planning. They provide guidance with appropriate class scheduling to meet desired goals.

We also provide individual and group instruction in study habits and techniques, time management skills, reducing test anxiety as well as other areas devoted to student success.

Learning Resource Center

Computer Lab

Computers are available to students for working on class assignments and term papers. Computers are equipped with integrated software packages including word processor, database, spread sheet, and graphics. Several have internet access. Peer mentors are available to assist students using the lab.

Academic Mentoring

Any WNMU student is eligible for free tutoring in many subject areas including mathematics, science, business, accounting, modern languages, and writing. The demand for the subject matter will determine the availability of tutors. Study skills assessment and tutoring are available in the Learning Resource Center.

Walk-in: This service is offered daily, weekends, and evenings as scheduled each semester. The purpose of this service is twofold: 1) to help students with immediate needs, and 2) to identify problems that require long-term tutoring. Tutoring for walk-in students may take only 5 to 10 minutes. If the student needs more help, he or she is a good candidate for additional tutoring.

Long-term: Extended tutoring on an appointment basis may be available if students need more help than can be given in the walk-in service. Such appointments may be scheduled based upon a tutor’s availability.

Supplemental Instruction

Some students would best be helped by participating in group sessions. We hold Supplemental Instruction Sessions as needed by the students. Areas covered include those subjects with high dropout and failure rates. Supplemental Instruction Sessions vary from semester to semester depending on courses offered and demand for instruction in certain subjects.

Placement Testing

COMPASS

The COMPASS is an acronym for Computer Adaptive Placement Assessment and Support System. It is used to place students in appropriate math, reading, and writing classes. All incoming undergraduates (freshmen and transfer students) must take this test unless they have a waiver of the test. COMPASS waivers are determined by ASC staff according to the current catalog criteria.

Asset Test

This is the paper version of the COMPASS Test. It is given at both the main branch and campus branches. Four forms accommodate those students with special needs: the hand written version, large font version, Braille version and audio tapes. This test is only administered under special circumstances determined by the Director of the Academic Support Center.

Transcript Evaluation

Transcripts are evaluated for placement purposes and acceptance of transfer course credits for incoming freshmen, transfer students and international students. All transcripts are evaluated to determine the class standing of a student as freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior. The Transcript Evaluator assists in constructing a matrix to aid students in completing their general education requirements on a timely basis. After all transcripts are evaluated, students are provided with a form indicating the courses accepted towards completion of the General Education requirements.

International students wishing to receive credit for courses taken at accredited institutions of post-secondary education outside the U.S. must provide WNMU with original transcripts translated into English and evaluated by an independent credentials evaluator.

Early Alert Program

This academic support program “alerts” students who may be having academic difficulty, and offers tailored solutions to help them succeed. Instructors of 100 and 200 level courses are asked to identify students who might need assistance in their classes. Identified students are contacted suggesting several possibilities for obtaining help. Student mentors and Academic Advisors assist students in developing individualized action plans to improve their class performance. Mentoring, academic advising, personal counseling, computer assistance, and other university services may be part of a student’s action plan. The student’s progress is monitored throughout the semester. Students can be helped with basic skills such as note-taking, stress management, test-taking strategies, and time management.