After researching the program, Neshay Sanders thought it was too good to be true, and while she was nervous about leaving home, the Chicago native knew she could not pass up a chance to be part of Southern Illinois University Edwardsville’s inaugural Summer Success Program.
“This is such a great program. You get six credit hours for free,” exclaimed Sanders. “SIUE has put $3,411.00 into me, and I’m so appreciative.”
Sanders is one of 24 incoming SIUE freshmen taking part in the University’s residential Summer Success Program that runs from July 7-Aug. 9. The freshmen are housed in Bluff Hall.
“The goal of the program is to help first-generation college students be successful in the transition from high school to college,” said Fannie Acoff, program coordinator for Pre-Collegiate Programs in the Office of Retention and Student Success. “We are here to introduce students to campus resources and provide an early start to life as a college student.”
Makesha Lee Harris, EdD, assistant director for Pre-Collegiate Programs, devised and designed the program.
The students attend two classes Monday-Friday. All students take Applied Communication Studies 101: Public Speaking in the morning. Afterwards, students participate in Lunch and Learn seminars that bring in speakers from across campus to introduce such services as the Career Development Center, Counseling Services and Accessible Campus Community & Equitable Student Support (ACCESS).
During the afternoon, students are enrolled in either English or Quantitative Reasoning 101, depending on their intended major. Weekends are reserved for community building activities such as hiking at Cahokia Mounds, attending the SIUE Theater production of “Mamma Mia!” and community service projects.
“The program is very difficult and stressful. It’s a lot of work,” said Emma Jane (E.J.) Davis, of Kansas City, Mo. “There is a lot of content in a short amount of time. We complete a semester in five weeks, but the faculty is really helpful, and we do have mandatory tutoring.”
“I questioned whether I should spend my last 1 ½ months of summer away from home, doing school work,” recalled Davis. “But I realized it was an opportunity to which I couldn’t say no.”
“By participating in this intensive five-week program, the students not only play an important role in their personal development,” said Harris, “but they play a vital role in the continuous development of the program and success of the University.”
“This program was a great way for me to start my college career. If it weren’t for this program, starting classes this fall would have been very confusing,” said Allen Williams, of East St. Louis. “I’ve learned a lot about the campus. I am keeping pace with the program’s schedule. It’s long and difficult, but I can manage it.
Getting to know each other is another plus many students agreed on.
“Bonding with my peers has gone well. I think they chose a very good group of people,” said Sanders. “Everyone is well mannered and approachable, and the staff has been wonderful.”
“We are here to be an advocate for the students and promote the whole-being concept of spiritual, intellectual, social, occupational, physical and psychological development,” remarked Harris. “With the support of many different campus constituents, we are able to provide efficient delivery of services and help the students obtain their educational goals.”
Photos:
SIUE Summer Success Program students and staff enjoy a day on campus.
Dr. Tyler Phelps, interim director for the Office of Retention and Student Success, gives the presentation, “Why Am I Here?” to Summer Success students.