The University of Lethbridge is launching a Student Success Centre – a new business unit that brings together a number of different resources and services to help students successfully navigate through their university experiences.
"This is a great step for the University of Lethbridge, as we move forward with a co-ordinated approach to student engagement," says Dr. Judith Lapadat, the U of L's Associate Vice-President (Students).
Building on the recommendations of an all-campus recruitment strategy committee, the Student Success Centre will be managed by Trish Jackson, a U of L grad (BASc '03), former SU executive member and international recruitment officer.
Jackson will be joined by campus outreach coordinator Auburn Philips (MA'12) and support personnel drawn from other offices on campus to work with students to ensure they get the most out of their university experience.
A Learning Strategist position and a Tutoring Coordinator position are in the process of being filled, and will add tutoring assistance, time management help and student leadership development to complement of services offered through the centre.
The centre is an extension of activities that the Recruitment & Student Life office and Counselling Services have created over the past seven years to assist high school students with their transition to university life, only it will be extended to all years and levels of study, and to the U of L's campuses in Calgary and Edmonton.
"We are going to take the programming we already operate and make it more obvious to students who may, at any point in their university career, feel they need some extra help in a variety of ways," says Lapadat. "That can include students looking for tutoring assistance, study skill development and general information about how to be a successful student.
"Attending university is a big decision, and we know it is the right decision for a variety of reasons. We are also mindful of how to help students get the most out of this experience so that they successfully complete their programs."
In the start-up phase, the Student Success Centre team will work to increase awareness and understanding of all student services, and increase the quality of the student experience for students (particularly those who do not live on campus), among other projects.
Jackson says that input and collaboration will be two of the key success points for the group as they move forward.
"We are developing the programming by consulting with Faculties, Student Service Units, the Students' Union, and the Graduate Students' Association. Student input will be solicited to ensure we are working for the students, and from a student perspective."
The Student Success Centre will be housed in Anderson Hall near the Career & Co-Op Services and Scholarships & Student Finance offices, and will be open for business in late August.