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Center for Student Success CENTER FOR STUDENT SUCCESS Executive Director’s Message We invite the entire University community: faculty, staff, administrators, alumni, and students to work together as we embark on the development of a university-wide student support and retention plan. Everyone and every function connected with UVI has a role in supporting and retaining students. Retention includes both academic and student life support services and requires a university-wide team effort to achieve. In addition to faculty instruction and advisement, quality of life services such as student employment, financial aid, dining, housing, information technology services, campus facilities maintenance, and various other departments make a very positive impact for the UVI student experience. All of our University’s departments and constituents make it possible for students to enjoy their time here at UVI. As we work toward university-wide initiatives that impact student success and retention, every UVI constituent will be invited to participate in collaborative efforts that enhance student support and retention developments. Center for Student Success staff are here to help students. They are dedicated and make student success their priority. Faculty can refer students to us through their personal communication, Early Alerts, and mid-term reports. Students can take advantage of our help in writing, math, Spanish, French, or any of our other subject areas by meeting with their Student Success Specialist or visiting our Learning Center in Classroom Administration Building (CAB) 101 or Writing Center in the Modular Building (MOD) 104 and the Math and Science Enrichment Center in the Learning Center EVC 716-A. Center for Student Success Newsletter Volume 4 Issue 3, March 2016 Newsletter Editor: Jacinthe Proctor Newsletter Co-Editor: Julie Cruz In This Issue  Executive Director’s Message  CSS Summer Opportunities  CSS Success Stories  Learning Assistant Spotlight  UVI Graduate Success Story  Upcoming CSS workshops and reminders  Welcome message and Congratulations  Professor Article  Center Hours UVI —Dedicated to Student Success and Committed to Excellence—Go BUCS!!! Center for Student Success We also want to make you aware of our exciting student support program and partnership with the Educational Advisory Board – Student Success Collaborative. We are transitioning to a new student tracking system called Grades First that will roll-out in July, 2016. This software will enable faculty to alert CSS of any student who is not attending class or not doing well on assignments. Faculty reporting is essential to identifying students who need assistance and improving retention at UVI. The University strategic plan calls for an increased focus on retention. Additionally, retention of students and the additional tuition these students contribute to the University positively impacts the operational aspects of faculty and staff. As such, I ask all faculty and staff to join CSS in any and all efforts to improve retention. Regards, Dr. Stephen Moore Executive Director of Student Success and Honors Program Executive Director’s Message continued Dr. Stephen Moore Executive Director of Student Success and Honors Program Interested in learning more about UVI’s accreditation process… Interested in being involved with reaccreditation… For more information about UVI’s Greatness by Design Moving the Needle or interested in participating Contact Mrs. Tina Koopmans, Vice President for Information Technology Services and Assessment, at GreatnessbyDesign@uvi.edu or (340) 693-1460. Proving the Standards...Let’s make this happen…GO BUCS!!! Standard I: Mission & Goals Standard II: Ethics & Integrity Standard III: Design & Delivery of the Student Learning Experience Standard IV: Support of the Student Experience Standard V: Educational Effectiveness Assessment Standard VI: Planning Resources & Institutional Improvement Standard VII: Governance, Leadership, & Administration Center for Student Success The Center for Student Success (CSS) is inviting applications from high school seniors for the 2016 Summer Bridge Program. The program, is offered at no cost to participants. It is designed to assist students in making the high school to college transi- tion. This year’s program is scheduled to run from June 26 to July 29. During the five weeks, students will reside on campus and take the equivalent of 13 credits. Classes in critical reading, writing, mathematics, and college success will prepare students to take the UVI placement tests and allow them to move directly into college-level, credit-bearing courses instead of spending time taking college preparatory courses in their freshman year. Students also learn about campus resources and campus life while they form important relationships with faculty, staff, and students at the University. Application forms can be obtained from the schools’ guidance counsellors or from CSS on the St. Thomas Campus and the Albert A. Sheen Campus, St. Croix. For further information, please call Dr. Cindy Mercer at 340-693-1196 or Maria Fleming at 340-692-4183. Do You Know CSS Student Success Specialist / Academic Advisor services are available Mondays through Fridays from 8:30am-7:00pm. (On the St. Thomas Campus, services from 4:30pm-7:00pm are located at the CSS Learning Center - CAB 101). Question of the Issue “How do you learn material the very first time it’s presented?” Email your answer to the CSS newsletter editor at jprocto@uvi.edu with the subject line “Learning new material” for a chance to see your response in our next CSS newsletter. Stay the path...Determination is the Key to Success! Summer Bridge—Getting Ready for College University Bound—Preparing for Academic Rigor University Bound (UB) is accepting applications from high school students to attend the 2016 UB summer program. This year’s program is scheduled to operate from June 26 to July 23. The program will accept 25 students on each campus on a first come first serve basis. This intense 6-week residential preparatory program will expose students to cultural enrichment, social engagement, and recreational activities. The students will attend daily classes including: composition, literature, math, laboratory sciences, and foreign language. Students also will be engaged in non-curricular offerings such as steel pan, concert choir, drama, dance, and beginning swimming. For further information or to get an application, please contact Rosalia Rohan on the St. Thomas Campus at 340-693-1133 or Michelle Albany on the Albert A. Sheen Campus, St. Croix at 340-692-4182. CSS Summer Opportunities Center for Student Success When I first came to UVI, I was almost completely unsure as to who to go to in order to get my schedule together for upcoming semesters. I felt as if I didn't have time to go through the catalog without any professional assistance to see what classes I would need to take. However, after walking into my freshman development seminar course, my instructor explained her other responsibilities around the campus. I realized how excellent the opportunity was and I took advantage of the situation. Ms. Jacinthe Proctor has been without a doubt one of my favorite staff members at the University. Putting my paradigm as well as my schedules together have been especially easy experiences. Also, whenever I needed assistance in a particular class, the CSS has provided the help that I needed without trouble. On a regular basis, I recommend that students go to the CSS in subjects where they know that they will have trouble. If the CSS supported me, it can do the same for you. CSS Student’s Experience Academic Advisors/ Student Success Specialists play an integral role in promoting student success by assisting students in ways that encourage them to engage in the right kinds of activities inside and outside the classroom. UVI Sophomore Edwin Joseph has taken full advantage of the Math & Science Enrichment Center on the Albert A. Sheen Campus, St. Croix. He shares that from his first visit to the Math Lab he has been respected and cared for. He also shares that the “Math Lab” is welcoming and the tutors are friendly and always ready to help. “I love the Math Lab! It’s one of the best places on campus where you can go to and learn something new and get help with math and science related subjects.” UVI Freshman Mr. Edwin Joseph Kaunda Williams CSS Success Story An Albert A. Sheen Campus, St. Croix student shares his CSS experience and his academic success. Center for Student Success Computer Science Major Shamoi Garcia is a computer science major who is knowledgeable across varied math and science subjects. A reserved young man, generally perceived as shy, Shamoi is always in a hurry to arrive at the Center. Indeed, he is known to hurry often, racing himself across campus to his next class or appointment. He has stated often that the Center is his comfort zone and, correspondingly, he has worked to make it a comfort zone for his clients. Shamoi goes to the outer limits with respect to the extent he goes in giving of his time and talents to ensure his clients reach real understanding of elusive concepts. Shamoi has been a steadfast tutor of UVI students and he takes his job seriously. Impressively, the students he has offered assistance to include students on both the St. Thomas and St. Croix campuses, thus making his services available to a broad swath of the UVI student population. We at the Center on St. Croix are very grateful to have him on board. Big ups to Shamoi! For more information about CSS Learning Center Contact Cindy Mercer #2 John Brewer’s Bay St. Thomas, USVI 00802-9990 (340) 693-1196 cindy.mercer@live.uvi.edu For more information about CSS Math & Science Lab or Writing Center contact Maria Fleming (Math & Science Lab) RR1 Box 10000 Kingshill, St. Croix, USVI 00850-9990 (340) 692-4140 mflemin@live.uvi.edu Dr. Valerie Combie (Writing Center) RR1 Box 10000 Kingshill, St. Croix, USVI 00850-9990 (340) 692-4126 vcombie@uvi.edu Visit us on the web at www.css.uvi.edu Learning Assistant Spotlight Mr. Shamoi Garcia Center for Student Success The Virgin Islands Department of Education (VIDE) has promoted Charlesworth M. McCarty as the new Director of Maintenance and Plant Operations. Charlesworth M. McCarty is a proud graduate of the University of the Virgin Islands. Charlesworth M. McCarty previously held leadership positions at the University of the Virgin Islands, and was previously the Student activities Graduate Assistant. Mr. McCarty also held the position as the Warehouse Manager for the Property, Procurement, and Auxiliary services at the VIDE. “I am convinced that the University of the Virgin Islands (UVI) gave me the pathway I needed towards my leadership and management skills.” “I am pleased to be a part of the Department of Education team.” “My experience working with the Director of Student Activities (Mr. Leon Lafond) at UVI shaped me into the leader and director I am today.” Special thanks to the University of the Virgin Islands for your love and support.” Congratulations UVI Graduate! Mr. Charlesworth M. McCarty Director of Maintenance and Plant Operations “Your present circumstances don’t determine where you can go; they merely determine where you start” - Unkown Center for Student Success  English Proficiency Exam Workshop Date: March 28, 2016 Times: 02:00 - 02:45 p.m. Location: CSS Learning Center (CAB 101) Need tips on how to be successful on the EPE?  English Proficiency Exam Workshop Dates: March 30, 2016 Time: 12:15 - 1:30 p.m. Locations: CSS Learning Center (CAB 101) Need tips on how to be successful on the EPE?  April 26 - Last day of classes  April 27 - Study Day  April 27-28 - Carnival Recess (No classes)  May 14 - Commencement St. Croix Campus  May 15 - Commencement St. Thomas Campus  Register for the upcoming Computer Literacy Exam (CLE)  Register for the upcoming English Proficiency Exam (EPE)  Visit the Learning Center in the CAB building Upcoming CSS Workshops & Activities UVI Reminders Center for Student Success Welcome to CSS team!!! Cindy Mercer is responsible for Learning Center operations and the Summer Bridge program on St. Thomas. She recruits, hires, trains, and supervises the Learning Assistants (tutors and peer mentors) who work for the Center for Student Success. She is also a Professional Advisor and Student Success Specialist. Before coming to UVI, Cindy supervised academic support services for eight years. Cindy Mercer-Asst Director Learning Ctr & Smr Bridge Congratulations to CSS Staff for your years of service to UVI The Center for Student Success thanks you for all you do! Yvette Richards 35 Years David Capriola 25 Years Leslie Green 10 Years Center for Student Success Through extensive research in the domains of psychology, education, neuroscience, business and athletics, UCF College of Education and Human Performance’s Associate Professor of Educational Psychology, Bobby Hoffman, has determined which motivational elements affect learning and performance. In his book Hoffman uses the engaging technique of describing the triumphs and setbacks of several well-known personalities he interviewed to serve as examples of motivated behavior. He set out on a quest after his students in the Applied Learning & Instruction program at UCF complained about being required to read journal articles that were difficult to understand and didn’t have much applied use or value. They desired a textbook for their Motivation class, a book that didn’t really exist. Based upon student encouragement, Hoffman decided to write the 426-page book “Motivation for Learning and Performance,” which discusses the 50 key motivation principles for learning and performance designed with two primary goals in mind; promoting self-awareness of one’s motives and outlining strategies to mediate motivational challenges. Hoffman wanted to find a way to engage readers as a means to simplify the understanding of motivational science, but he also sought to make the book different and more interesting than a typical textbook. Instead of creating fictional case studies, he identified real-life personalities from sports, business, entertainment, music, and politics to serve as examples of motivated behavior. The book features his interviews with former investment adviser and criminally-convicted financier Bernie Madoff, Emmy-nominated “Curb Your Enthusiasm” actress Cheryl Hines, former NFL superstar Nick Lowery, professional poker expert Alec Torelli, and former Olympic athlete Amanda Boxtel, who lost her mobility during a skiing accident and as a result became the world’s first recipient of a robotic system that allows disabled people to walk unassisted. While writing the book he found three factors that distinguished motivated behavior in his notable subjects from those less motivated: accountability, control and the expectation that life is full of obstacles. “The individuals I interviewed took complete responsibility of their lives,” Hoffman explained. “When you have an internal locus of control, meaning you believe you are accountable for orchestrating your life, then you feel that you can control your destiny. When you make a mistake, you must give yourself the opportunity to improve, and learn from that mistake.” He also found through his research that having a bad day wasn’t part of each successful person’s M.O., as universally the motivational leaders in the book expected to and did fail at one point or another. Plus, they all strived to excel and achieve personal and professional growth, while indicating spirituality, even though it wasn’t always directly expressed. For more information about Hoffman and his book, visit findingmo.com. Education Professor Helps Solve Mystery of Motivation by Sandra Carr, UCF College of Education and Human Performance Center for Student Success CSS Learning Center Mondays - 9:00a.m.-7:00p.m. Tuesdays - 9:00a.m.-7:00p.m. Wednesdays - 9:00a.m.-7:00p.m. Thursdays - 9:00a.m.-7:00p.m. Fridays - 9:00a.m.-7:00p.m. Saturdays - 10:00a.m.-4:00p.m. Writing Center Mondays - 12:30p.m.-5:00p.m. Tuesdays - 10:00a.m.-5:00p.m. Wednesdays - 12:30p.m.-5:00p.m. Thursdays - 12:30p.m.-5:00p.m. Fridays - 1:00p.m.-5:00p.m. Saturdays - 1:00p.m.-4:00p.m. Sundays - 12:00p.m.-3:00p.m. Science & Math Enrichment Center Mondays - 9:00a.m.-6:00p.m. Tuesdays - 9:00a.m.-7:00p.m. Wednesdays - 9:00a.m.-6:00p.m. Thursdays - 9:00a.m.-7:00p.m. Fridays - 9:00a.m.-6:00p.m. St. Thomas Campus Albert A. Sheen Campus, St. Croix Academic Centers Hours Contact Us Give us a call or send an email for more information about our services and products Center for Student Success #2 John Brewer’s Bay St. Thomas, USVI 00802-9990 (340) 693-1583 ijames@live.uvi.edu RR1 Box 10000 Kingshill, St. Croix, USVI 00850-9990 (340) 692-4140 mflemin@uvi.edu Visit us on the web at www.css.uvi.edu