Freshmen looking to succeed can now turn to over $1.8 million worth of resources provided by the Student Success Center. The center is largely funded by a Title III grant awarded by the U.S. Department of Education to be used over the next five years.

The transition from high school to college is not easy for everyone. Many students come on campus not sure of what they want to major in and others have difficulty with academic performance. This year, if students need assistance or want to achieve, then they should know that the Student Success Center is there to help them reach their potential.

“Our mission is to help students obtain their academic goals,” director George Daniel says. “We’re going to do our best to provide help every step of the way at UTM.”

Daniel says that the purpose of the grant is also for retention. When students are provided the tools for success, they will want to continue to be a part of what UTM has to offer.

The center offers programs dealing with academic counseling, career counseling, testing services, academic diagnostics, and national student exchange. The center will be working with students during Freshman Welcome Week and throughout the semester during general studies courses. By the end of this year, Daniel says that as many as 3,000 students could be affected by what the success center has to offer.

Programs for academic counseling include advising undeclared students and working with students on conditional admission and nontraditional students. Career counseling services include career inventory assessment and Myers-Briggs testing.

Academic success is also obtainable through programs such as study skill workshops and a learning styles inventory. The Supplemental Instruction (SI) program will provide students with one hour of study with a classroom peer for every hour of academic instruction in that class. The SI program is open to all students, not just freshmen.

Students can also find assistance through the math labs, writing labs and reading labs that are supported by the Student Success Center.

To contact the Student Success Center, students can call 881-1689 or 881-7744. They can also stop by 202 or 210 Clement Hall. The center can be reached by e-mail at success@utm.edu.