Western Carolina University
Program Assessment Plan
Student Support Services
Assessment Plan for 2006-2007
Primary Contact Name/Info:
Carol M. Mellen, Director, Student Support Services
Western Carolina University, Phone (828) 227-7127
137 Killian Annex, Cullowhee, NC 28723
Program Mission Statement:
The mission of Student Support Services is to retain and graduate a targeted group of students who are
first generation college student, low income and/or individual with disabilities by providing an
educational climate and services that will be supportive of their success. It is the philosophy and
strong belief of the SSS program that academic, social, and financial barriers can be reduced or
eliminated by helping to develop stronger academic skills, increasing motivation, and building self
confidence to strengthen their likelihood of success. To accomplish this goal, Student Support
Services takes a developmental, comprehensive, holistic approach in the delivery of services which
include tutoring, counseling, mentoring and teaching.
Statement on Alignment of Program Mission w/University and/or Division Mission:
The goals and objectives of the Student Support Services program are very much in line with the over
all mission of Western Carolina University. The program assists students in choosing and working
toward their academic, career and personal goals by providing services tailored to meet their specific
needs. Student Support Services helps program participants make a successful transition into Western
Carolina University, assists them to achieve good academic standing and persist to graduation. This is
same goal that WCU has for all students.
Program Goals/Objectives:
¾ Coordinate effective case management of program participants and utilize university resources
as needed.
¾ Provide academic advisement to our targeted student population.
¾ Provide tutoring that will facilitate mastery of subject matter.
¾ Assist students in determining and declaring a major course of study.
¾ Provide academic counseling on an ongoing and as needed basis.
1
Intended Outcomes
1. Students receiving case
management will develop the
ability to work toward their
academic, career and personal
goals by choosing appropriate
resources and utilizing available
services.
2. Students receiving tutoring
will be able to increase their
knowledge of the subject as they
utilize appropriate academic
resources.
3. Students who receive
academic advisement will be
able to stay on course, plan their
semester schedules, and work
toward degree completion in a
timely manner.
4. Students receiving career
counseling will have knowledge
of the scope of the discipline and
the classes needed to complete
their course of study and other
requirements in their career
development process.
5. Students receiving academic
counseling will develop
appropriate college level study
techniques.
Curricular and/or CoCurricular Experiences
1. Students will attend regular
conferences with SSS advisor and
will participate in discussions of
barriers to success and utilization of
available services.
2. Students receiving academic
advisement will become familiar with
courses for chosen major and with
assistance from their advisor plan
each semester to complete degree
requirements in a timely manner.
3. Student will be assigned a tutor and
will meet with that tutor on a regular
basis and participate fully in the
tutoring sessions.
4. Students receiving career
counseling will participate in self
exploration through interest and,
aptitude inventories as well as
researching specific disciplines
identified by these methods.
5. Students receiving academic
counseling will learn and study
techniques by participating in
discussions, with advisors, working in
study groups and/or attending study
skills classes or workshops.
2
Methods of Assessment
All assessments will consist of:
• Identifying how often
students met with their
advisors.
• Collecting grades.
• Determining number of
students who declared
majors.
• Analyzing retention
and graduation rates
and comparing these
rates with overall
student body.
• Surveys of program
participants for over all
feedback on a semester
basis.