Helping students succeed academically captures the essence of the mission of the University Center for Academic Excellence (UCAE).
Swann Jejati, a senior majoring in marketing with an international management minor, stated the UCAE provided her with much-needed assistance when she was struggling in a Managerial Economics class.
“When I attended my first drop-in tutoring session, I was immediately impressed by how well the peer tutor explained things and how quickly I was improving in my studies,” said Jejati. “I decided to attend drop-in tutoring every Friday for the rest of the semester, and my letter grade improved exponentially.”
Resources offered through UCAE demonstrate UNC Charlotte’s commitment to providing students with the necessary support to increase their learning potential, said Brett Strahm, assistant director for tutorial services.
Currently, UCAE provides free peer tutoring for more than 100 courses to any enrolled undergraduate student who needs academic assistance. Appointment-based tutoring is facilitated in a one-on-one or group setting, and drop-in tutoring is offered for many courses. Students may schedule up to three appointments per course, per week and may attend an unlimited number of drop-in hours each week.
“Personal academic consultations (PACs) and academic and personal development workshops are designed to provide students with specific strategies to enhance their academic success,” said Strahm. PACs are one-one-one sessions; workshops are conducted for groups of students. Both are highly interactive and led by specifically trained staff and graduate students. During each semester, 25 different workshops are offered at multiple times. Also, the center facilitates more than 110 workshops.
Another service that the center provides is supplemental instruction. This free program utilizes peer-led group study to promote student success.
“Sessions are designed to help students apply course concepts and work with the course material in a comfortable, supportive atmosphere,” Strahm explained. “The sessions also integrate study skills and exam-taking techniques.”
The Supplemental Instruction (SI) Program targets courses with high rates of D/F grades and withdrawals; often these courses have proven to be challenging for many students; however, students who attend SI sessions consistently achieve higher final course grades than students who don’t attend, said Strahm.
Students Obtaining Success (SOS) is another center offering; it is a peer mentoring program for students who are on academic probation.
“Unsatisfactory academic performance can have many different contributing factors. The SOS program is designed to help students identify their unique challenges and develop an action plan to improve academic performance and return to good academic standing,” Strahm stated.
UCAE peer mentors help students develop strategies to resolve barriers to academic success, develop effective study and time management skills and connect with campus resources.
Jejati, the one-time struggling student, realized how impactful her UCAE experience was to her academic success and decided to help promote the center as a marketing intern.
“Without the UCAE, I would have withdrawn from that Managerial Economics class,” said Jejati. “I was extremely lucky to have discovered the resources offered by the center. Now, I work hard to raise awareness of the center among my fellow 49ers. The UCAE helped me in every way possible, and it is ready to help other struggling students achieve their academic success, too.”
The University Center for Academic Excellence constantly seeks opportunities to collaborate with faculty and staff across campus to provide better ways to support UNC Charlotte students, Strahm noted. “The goal of the UCAE is to encourage UNC Charlotte students to achieve their fullest potential, both academically and personally toward their professional development.”
UCAE is located in Colvard Building, Room 2300; learn more on the web.
Photo: Brett Strahm (center) discusses UCAE offerings with Tommy Roache and Swann Jejati