KNOXVILLE — Students, faculty and staff now have hands-on as well as on-line access to academic resources in a one-stop shop: the University of Tennessee’s new Student Success Center.
The resources have been available at the center’s Web site, studentsuccess.tennessee.edu, since early June, but now are accessible at a campus walk-in center, in time for the start of fall semester.
Classes start Wednesday, Aug. 24.
“The mission of the center is to promote student learning and academic success through a comprehensive network of support and referral,” said Dr. Ruth Darling, UT assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs and director of the center.
“I call this the ‘just in time’ center,” Chancellor Loren Crabtree said. “There are crucial moments in every student’s academic career when they need advice and information, and this is the place to find it.”
Located at 1817 Melrose Ave., the center also houses First Year Studies, National Student Exchange, the University Advising Committee, Undergraduate Academic Appeals, and the Volunteer Community.
The African American Academic Scholars Program and the African American Incentive Grant Program are considered part of the center, although they remain at their current location at 812 Volunteer Blvd.
Plans call for the center eventually to move one block east to Melrose Hall, next to Hodges Library, where the Center for International Education and the University Honors Program now are located. Melrose Hall is slated to undergo renovation as part of the campus master plan.
The Student Success Center is a collaborative effort between Academic Affairs and Student Affairs,” Darling said. “The key is to have a seamless approach to student success that looks at offering support in a broad sense.”
Darling said the center has extended operating hours to make it easier for students to take advantage of the services offered. The concept, she said, is to provide a continuum of access for students.
“There are many excellent programs on campus that offer help, but there seems to be a lack of awareness about those programs,” Darling said. “The new center is a one-stop-shop for students.”
The center provides information and resources in academic advising, tutoring and academic support, community service, student life, and the academic review, or academic probation, program.
Students who are at risk for losing lottery scholarships will receive special attention, Darling said.
“These students need to be very strategic in their academic planning,” she said, “so they can keep their scholarships.”
—
Contact:
Dr. Ruth Darling (865-974-3564)