2011-2012 INDEPENDENT COLLEGE ACCESS NETWORK (ICAN) PROGRAM DESCRIPTIONS
Institution & Program Type
Barton College
Blended College Access & Success Program
Belmont Abbey College
Blended College Access & Success Program
Bennett College
Blended College Access & Success Program
Cabarrus College of Health Sciences
College Success Program
Campbell University
College Success Program
Catawba College
College Success Program
Chowan University
College Success Program
Davidson College
College Success Program
Duke University
College Success Program
2011-2012 ICAN Program Descriptions, Page 1 of 4
Program Description
The Inspire Campus Visit program is a college access initiative that targets middle and high school students in GEAR UP, AVID
and similar College Access programs. The Believe Undergraduate Scholars Day and the Achieve Alumni Program target
currently enrolled students. Students from underrepresented groups, including first-generation, low income and minority
students, will be identified, selected, and compensated to collaborate with faculty on undergraduate research projects.
The goal of the BAC-to-Life program is to provide a series of focused workshops, seminars, personal guidance and academic
support for adult degree program students focusing on first generation college students who are academically at-risk. The
programs are open to the public and will focus on building the student’s knowledge and skill level in areas such as test-taking,
studying, note-taking, stress management, health issues, and wellness projects. Additionally historical earned income statistics
measuring degree vs. non-degree status of employees will be presented to address employment at the national, state and local
level and how obtaining a college degree can increase the likelihood of employment.
The Academic Success Academy (ASA) is an initiative aimed at increasing the overall retention rate by targeting the academic
performance of at-risk first year students. This initiative includes a five-week summer program that assists 50 emerging scholars
through tutorial services, student success life skills seminars, and math and writing- intensive courses.
The Associate Science Prepared Informed Ready and Educated (ASPIRE) Camp is a five day program that includes mentor
activities, student success workshops, and career exploration. The goal of this initiative is to assist Associate Science (AS) preprofessional students in achieving their goal of acceptance into a professional associate degree program and, once accepted, to
successfully complete the program.
The Supplemental Instruction (SI) program consists of trained student leaders who attend all classes and facilitate out-of-class
study sessions, where students work collaboratively to review notes, discuss readings, develop organizational tools and prepare
for examinations. All students enrolled in a course that offers an SI session are invited to attend; however, the program places
special emphasis on recruiting low-income and first-generation students.
The NextGen program provides outreach to first generation students and their parents by offering activities designed to meet the
unique academic and social needs of this group. The core of the program is a First Year Seminar (FYS) section of 15-20 students
taught by a First Generation faculty member assisted by two undergraduate first generation teaching fellows.
The First Flight program targets at-risk minority and first-generation students who demonstrate potential for academic success.
These students are invited to participate in a five-day, academic-oriented residential program introducing them to the cores of
various academic disciplines and providing discipline-specific, practical strategies for academic success.
The Research In Science Experience (RISE) is a program for rising sophomores from groups historically underrepresented in
science, designed to engage them in science early in their undergraduate careers with a long-term goal of increasing the number
and diversity of research and medical scientists.
The 1G Network is a group of undergraduate first-generation college students who meet regularly for mutual support and
knowledge development. The program activities will be enhanced to include faculty interaction and group participation in dinner
workshops on relevant topics, as well as the development of a parent guide and a one-day pre-orientation workshop for incoming
low-income, first-generation students.
Institution & Program Type
Elon University
Blended College Access & Success Program
Guilford College
College Success Program
Johnson C. Smith University
College Success Program
Lees-McRae College
College Success Program
Lenoir-Rhyne University
College Success Program
Livingstone College
Blended College Access & Success Program
Louisburg College
Blended College Access & Success Program
Mars Hill College
College Success Program
Meredith College
College Access Program
2011-2012 ICAN Program Descriptions, Page 2 of 4
Program Description
Successful Transitions is comprised of three programs that prepare low-income, first-generation students to succeed both in and
after college. The Life after College Program is a four-day retreat for college students in their junior year that explores topics
ranging from preparing for a career or graduate school to financial planning. The Peer Leader Program trains students to serve
as peer leaders for first-year college students. The Connections for Success program connects the college students of the College
Access and Success Program from 19 college and university campuses with the high school students currently in the program.
The Getting Prepared for Success (GPS) program is aimed at improving retention by helping both traditional and non-traditional
first-generation students acclimate to their new environment. The program includes opportunities for students to participate in
peer and faculty/staff mentoring, team-building, as well as other activities designed to enhance their academic skills and assist
them in planning for their futures.
The goal of the Johnson C. Smith University program is to gather in-depth qualitative data to enhance current quantitative data to
provide a more holistic view of the experiences of first-year students at JCSU. The intent of this initiative is to provide data that
can be used to enrich current retention efforts.
The Career and Life Planning Program is designed to improve retention by targeting first generation or low income second-year
college students. The program is designed to use career and life planning activities to help strengthen the connection between
students and the college in addition to helping the student to gain a better sense of the value of his/her education.
The purpose of the University Study Hall and Learning Assistance Program is to provide a structured environment for students to
conduct their study activities and to offer complimenting resources that will help them maximize their learning during study hall
times. The program is open to all students, but targets first-year students, minorities, and student athletes.
The Intensive Pre College Access, Success, and Support peer mentoring program (IPASS) is a targeted college access, success,
and support model designed to increase college readiness for local at-risk students with academic and socioeconomic challenges.
IPASS activities include utilizing Livingstone college students as peer mentors for local high school and middle school students
who attend a mini-conference sponsored by the campus for students at risk of not going to or succeeding in college. Livingstone
students will also serve as hosts and moderators at the conference.
The Access and Advising for Success program is effort to foster access to 250 GEAR UP and AVID students from central and
eastern North Carolina. Campus personnel work with academic life, student life, and admissions to offer high school and middle
school students the opportunity to take a campus tour, attend classes, and interact with faculty, staff, and students.
The Skills of Scholarship (SOS) is program that targets first generation and other students, who enter the institution either
academically or affectively underprepared for college. The program focuses on intense individual and group mentoring,
specialized peer tutoring (Peer Assisted Study Sessions), and general information workshops regarding issues related to college
success both in terms of academics and the skills needed to navigate college life.
The College Planning Toolkit Family Workshops is a program that works in conjunction with a comprehensive, 64-page bilingual
College Planning Toolkit for Families, in which staff members present the content of the toolkit in 10 workshops throughout the
local community. The toolkit and workshops help establish familial support for prospective first-generation and Spanish
speaking college students throughout the college planning process.
Institution & Program Type
Methodist University
College Success Program
Montreat College
College Success Program
Mount Olive College
College Success Program
North Carolina Wesleyan College
College Success Program
Pfeiffer University
Blended College Access & Success Program
St. Andrews University
College Success Program
Saint Augustine's College
College Success Program
Salem College
Blended College Access & Success Program
Shaw University
College Success Program
2011-2012 ICAN Program Descriptions, Page 3 of 4
Program Description
This Summer Academy III program allows 30 incoming freshmen, identified as "at-risk", to receive conditional admittance to the
university and to attend a summer session that focuses on helping them build the academic and social skills needed to make a
successful transition from high school to college. A key component of the Academy is the integration of a leadership
development program designed for at-risk students.
The Peer Assistance/Mentoring Program is a component of a Student Success program that provides students enrolled in firstyear courses with supplemental instruction. Peer mentors assist instructors with the presentation of materials, class review
sessions, individual and group tutoring, as well as providing peer advising on issues pertinent to academic and student success.
The Writing Center provides minority, first generation, and low-income students with writing “coaches,” who have specialized
training to help them develop the written communication skills necessary to succeed in college and the workplace. This program
is available to all students, but priority is given to students enrolled in a developmental composition course and/or students
admitted on a conditional basis.
The Extended Orientation Program provides incoming at-risk students with the opportunity to attend a two-day orientation
program focused on preparing them for a successful transition to college. During these sessions students take part in writing and
math assessments, and learn about campus policies and procedures. Information is also provided about resources for academic
and personal success, and students interact with faculty, staff, and their peers in small group settings.
The Keys to Success in College program is a part of a nine-month program designed to train emerging peer leaders to take part in
mentoring first generation and low income junior high school students. After receiving formal instruction, these students go on to
help plan and implement the colleges Overnight College Experience (OCE), as well as other activities that help introduce
underserved groups to college and life and help integrate them into their respective campus communities.
Cornerstone is a program focused on assisting incoming first-year students who have shown some evidence of being at risk of
not completing their undergraduate degree programs. A key component of this program is targeted professional development
activities for university faculty and staff to more effectively engage, inspire, and motivate first-generation college students.
The Access to Success Summer Bridge Program provides recent high school graduates with the opportunity to participate in a sixweek residential program to further their education and position to gain entry to a college or university of their choice. T his
program includes sessions on academic preparation, time management, study and test taking skills in addition to other programs
designed to help at-risk students develop the personal and social skills to succeed in college.
Leadership Connection is a program in which college students from underrepresented backgrounds are trained to facilitate
information sessions for high school students and to mentor subsequent first-generation students. This is a single-sex institution,
thus the target audience is young women from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. The program also includes a
one-day girls’ conference in which students are able to network and gain additional skills to aid in persistence.
Shaw University's Freshmen Summer Bridge Program assists first generation, minority, and/or low-income students in the
development of the skills, outlook, and acquisition of knowledge necessary for successfully transitioning from high school to
college. The program provides classroom instruction, support services, and social activities, in addition to experiential learning
opportunities.
Institution & Program Type
Wake Forest University
College Success Program
William Peace University
College Success Program
Wingate University
College Access Program
2011-2012 ICAN Program Descriptions, Page 4 of 4
Program Description
The Summer Bridge Program is a transition program targeted to low income, minority, and/or first generation students, with a
specific focus in college level writing. During the summer, students are enrolled in specially designed courses and participate in
other activities designed to help them build relationships with their peers as well as institutional decision makers.
The Peer Mentor program is a means to help first-year, first-generation, and/or minority students create strong foundations in
their academic performance and become more engaged in the campus community. At its core is a peer mentoring program to
assist new students during summer orientation as well as during their transition to the institution during their first semester.
“The Wingate Leadership Institute (WLI) is a summer bridge program that targets first generation students with low academic
profiles and low financial “estimated family contribution.” The institute offers an integrated learning experience during the
summer prior to fall matriculation that provides a three credit English 100 course, campus orientation, and leadership
development. To successfully complete the year-long program, the students participate together in seven credit hours for the fall
semester (English 110, GPS 110- Global Perspectives in Scriptures, and Gate101 - Gateway 101 first year experience class.
During the spring semester, the group takes an additional communications course - COMM 101 which results in the opportunity
to showcase their leadership skills and speaking abilities to spread positive messages about the benefits of college and the
importance of education to local high school students”.