Mission
“To recruit, to retain, to graduate”
The mission of the Office for Student Retention is to retain students through
the completion of their baccalaureate degree by providing programs that
assist them in their academic success. This is accomplished by coordinating
retention activities; supporting and monitoring students' academic progress;
coordinating with academic advisement units; providing referrals to campus
resources and support services; and coordinating programs that foster the
academic success of GSU students.
Supplemental Instruction
Supplemental Instruction (SI) is an academic assistance program that utilizes peer-assisted collaborative group study sessions. The SI Program targets traditionally difficult academic courses that have a high failure and withdrawal rate. SI sessions are regularly-scheduled, informal review sessions in which students compare notes, discuss readings, develop organizational tools, and predict test items. Students learn how to integrate course content and study skills while working together.
The purposes of SI are:
- to reduce rates of attrition within targeted historically difficult courses
- to improve student grades in targeted historically difficult courses
- to increase the graduation rates of students.
SI is currently offered in Mathematics and English.
Early Alert Program
Grambling State University is committed to the success of its students
by providing an environment conducive to teaching and learning. To ensure
that every student takes full advantage of the educational opportunities,
the University has implemented an Early Alert Retention Program, coordinated
by the Office of Retention. The Office of Retention professional staff utilizes
a systematic and comprehensive approach to improve the quality of students’
personal growth and development and to enhance their learning.
The Early Alert program was developed as a retention tool to improve students’
persistence and promote survival skills. The Program is based on the model
that the faculty will be proactive, supportive, and involved in facilitating
the academic components of student retention. Faculty awareness of potential
student problems constitutes the backbone of this retention program. Through
Early Alert, faculty contributes directly to retention by assisting with
the early detection and intervention of students who are doing poorly in
class, chronically absent from class, or experiencing other kinds of problems
that affect academic performance.
The Early Alert Program provide faculty with a tool early (four weeks into the semester) to identify at risk students and address problems that interfere with their success.
- Faculty will complete the online Early Alert Referral Form and submit it to the Office of Retention via e-mail.
Peer Mentoring Program
The Student Mentorship Program was implemented during the 1998-99 school year as a proactive approach to student retention. This program was developed to help first-time, full-time freshmen in their adjustment to college life. All mentees are required to attend the Academic Skills Computers Lab three hours per week. Upperclassmen serve as student mentors to ease into the bonding transition from high school to college. Mentees (first-time, full-time freshmen) are selected from First Year Experience Classes and are paired with student mentors based on common interests such as—-academic majors, interests, states, etc. The Student Mentorship Program helps in-coming students to become connected to the University.
Peer Tutoring Program
The Peer Tutoring program offers free tutorial assistance in select freshman and sophomore level courses. Students with ACT scores 15 or less will automatically be contacted by the Office of Retention and required to report for tutoring and assigned to a faculty advisor in their major. Students with high school GPAs of 2.0 or less will also be required to report to the Office of Retention for the tutoring.
Academic Skills Center
The mission of the Academic Skills Center is to provide a learning environment that allows students the opportunity to develop the skills and knowledge necessary to achieve academic success.
The Academic Computer labs offers free academic support, such as tutoring and study skills seminars, writing labs and math labs to all undergraduate students at Grambling State University. There are programs and activities for students who experience academic difficulties, as well as, those who are already succeeding academically, but simply want to enrich their educational experiences. Academic Skills Computer labs are constantly updated to meet the needs of students.
A total of five computer laboratories are available for student use. Each laboratory serves a specific function and has an on-site student monitor. (more)
Staff
Mrs. Veterine Simpson, Director
Office of Retention
Grambling State University
Campus Box 4308
Grambling, LA 71245
Brown Hall, Office 108
Office: (318) 274-2770
Fax: (318) 274-3253
Email: simpsonv@gram.edu
Mrs. Linda C. Butler
Administrative Assistant
Brown Hall, Office 132
Office: (318) 274-2556
Fax: (318) 274-3253
Email: bulterl@gram.edu
Ms. Kemmerly Brice
Administrative Assistant
Brown Hall, Office 108
Office: (318) 274-6225
Fax: (318) 274-3253
Email: bricek@gram.edu
