Student Success Program
ALANA Academic Advising & Mentoring Syllabus
Mentoring For Student Success
Prince George’s Community College
Office:
The ALANA Experience
301 Largo Road, Marlboro Hall 2102
Largo, MD 20774
Phone:
301-322-0730
301-322-0181
Email:
alana@pgcc.edu
Office Hours: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM and by appointment.
Advising appointments are scheduled in 30 minute increments and are highly recommended.
THE ALANA EXPERIENCE OVERVIEW:
Vision
The ALANA Experience seeks to become a model program in the region for the successful retention of diverse
student populations through its innovative promotion of academic success through structured mentoring
relationships, increased retention, and improved transfer and graduation rates.
Mission
ALANA is a mentoring and retention learning community designed to improve the academic success, retention,
transfer and graduation rates of the diverse population of students at Prince George's Community College through
structured academic support and mentoring relationships.
Services Offered
Annually ALANA serves 250-275 participants, offering a variety of services, including but not limited to:
 Mentoring
 Referrals to other student support services
 Academic advising
 MyPGCC Portal & Facebook Site
 Personal, social and cultural enrichment
 Bi-monthly newsletter
 Monthly college tour visits
 End of the year awards reception
ALANA actively recruits entering students who are enrolled in one or more developmental courses.
Enrollment is limited and contingent upon a prospective participants’ attendance at an ALANA Orientation and
completion of an ALANA Intake Application Packet (and Student Agreement) & Interview.
ALANA EXPERIENCE ADVISING:
The ALANA Experience is committed to developmental academic enrichment. Caring interaction and good
communication is encouraged between participants, mentors, and staff. Advising is broadly defined to include
activities and interactions that will:
 help students clarify educational goals
 inform them of the range and scope of experiences available to them
 help assess strengths, weaknesses and exploration of how decisions affect personal and occupational
goals
PRINCE GEORGE’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE
301 Largo Road| Marlboro Hall, Room 2102 | Largo | MD | 20774 | Phone: (301)322-0730 | Email: ALANA@pgcc.edu
ALANA EXPERIENCE MENTORING:
What is mentoring?
Mentoring is a structured and trusting relationship that brings students together with members of the Prince
George’s Community College who offer guidance, support and encouragement. Mentoring has been proven to
support mentees with developing their competence and character and integrating the mentee into the new and
unfamiliar college environment. Mentors are volunteers, who come from multiple disciplines throughout the
college and are committed to the success of the whole student.
How are mentoring relationships established?
Mentees are paired with their mentor according to a variety of compatibilities factors, including but not limited to
major, availability, and preferred mentor/mentee qualities. Mentees are assigned mentors after the application
process, intake, and ALANA Participant Agreement have been completed.
What are mentoring activities?
Mentors work together with their mentee(s) outside of the classroom in a variety of activities. The most popular
include, but are not limited to:
• Lunch meeting
• Academic progress meetings
• Phone/email contact
• Job shadowing
• Social/cultural activities
• Group sessions
• Goal setting sessions
• College tour visits
EXPECTATIONS OF STUDENTS:
Your advisor and mentor expect you to:
Mentor Connections
 Make contact with your mentor at least four times per semester by phone, social networking, or face-toface contact. If you are unable to meet with your mentor, you should promptly notify the ALANA office.
 In consultation with your mentor, as soon as possible but no later than October 1st (or February 18th for
spring admission), identify short— and long— term S.M.A.R.T. goals
Academic Connections
 Be familiar with your PGCC student handbook, student requirements and FERPA
 Read the ALANA Academic Advising and Mentoring Syllabus
 Schedule and attend advising appointments at least twice per semester
 Complete PAS 1010 with a grade of “C” or better (recommended)
 Learn to interpret your Academic Program Evaluation and create your Education Plan
 Promptly inform your advisor of changes to your major or academic plans or any academic concerns
 Submit to your advisor timely notifications of transfer, graduation and/or academic achievements
 Observe the academic deadlines and know the requirements for maintaining good academic standing
 Complete the Mid-Year and End-of-Year Advising and Mentoring Assessments
Personal, Social & Cultural Connections
 Participate in at least three (3) ALANA workshops or ALANA recommended activities per semester, one
(1) must include an ALANA Chat & Chew Session (preferably with your mentor)
 Check your PGCC Owl Mail (email), ALANA Blackboard and My PGCC Portal daily
 Think critically, make sound decisions and be responsible for your holistic success as a student
 Willingly follow through on the mutually agreed upon individual priorities established during advising
and/or mentoring appointments
EXPECTATIONS OF MENTORS:
You can expect your mentor to:
 Make contact with you at least four (4) times per semester
 Provide assistance in your development and attainment of S.M.A.R.T. academic and professional goals
 Inform you of the range and scope of experiences available to you professionally and socially
 Assist you with developing your critical thinking and decision making skills
 Provide and be open to feedback. When providing feedback, be honest, yet tactful
 Initiate a continuing evaluation of the mentor-mentee relationship
PRINCE GEORGE’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE
301 Largo Road| Marlboro Hall, Room 2102 | Largo | MD | 20774 | Phone: (301)322-0730 | Email: ALANA@pgcc.edu
EXPECTATIONS OF ADVISERS:
You can expect your adviser to:
 Help you clarify your educational goals
 Inform you of the range and scope of experiences available to you academically
 Help you assess your strengths and weaknesses and help you explore the ramifications of your decisions
for your future occupational goal(s)
 Familiarize you with policies and regulations which might influence your holistic academic success
 Initiate a continuing evaluation of the adviser-advisee relationship
KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR ACADEMIC SUCCESS:
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Go to class everyday. Get to know your professors. Seek assistance during office hours.
Balance school with the rest of your life. Plan enough study time to do well in your classes.
Have good study habits and get academic assistance early, if needed.
Understand the impact of dropping classes-academically and financially.
Make a plan for graduation and/or transferring early. You can graduate and transfer!
RECOMMENDED ADVISING RESOURCES TO REVIEW:
College Academic Catalog- Available at the Bookstore or online
http://www.pgcc.edu/current/academicResources/academicCatalog.aspx
Academic Program Evaluation – available via Owl Link
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES RECOMMENDED TO YOU:
Prince George’s Community College Services (You are encouraged to visit these services for more info):
____ Academic Advising (Bladen Hall 124)
____ Financial Aid (Bladen Hall 121)
____ Career Center (Marlboro Hall 2102)
____ International Advising (Bladen Hall 124)
____ Child Care (Child Time Daycare)
____ Student Support Services (Marlboro 2087)
____ College Life Services (Largo Student Ctr 149)
____ Transfer Advising (Bladen Hall 124)
____ Counseling Services (Bladen Hall 122)
____ Tutoring and Writing Centers (Bladen 107)
____ Disability Support Services (Bladen 124)
____ Vocational Support Services (Marlboro 2102)
ALANA ADVISING & MENTORING CALENDAR (Suggested timeline for ALANA participants)
June-August
 Register for fall.
If you have not scheduled your courses for the
semester, you are encouraged to do so as soon as
possible for best availability.
 Touch base with your mentor.
October-November
 Touch base with your mentor.
 Meet with your adviser to plan for spring semester.
 Meet with your adviser if you received academic alerts.
 Submit college applications (Spring Transfers only)
 Attend two (2) ALANA events.
January-March
 Complete FAFSA online.
 Consult your adviser with academic questions or
concerns prior to amending your class schedule.
 Be aware of drop/add dates and other deadlines.
 Attend two (2) ALANA events.
 Complete graduation application (Spring graduates only)
 Submit college applications (Fall Transfers only)
September
 Complete ALANA Syllabi quiz on BB (New students only).
 Reconnect with your adviser (Returning students).
 Touch base with their mentor.
 Be aware of drop/add dates and other deadlines.
 Attend the Retention Services Open House.
 Attend the ALANA Orientation & Social.
 Complete the graduation application (Fall graduates only).
 Attend one (1) ALANA event.
December
 Touch base with your mentor.
 Register during your assigned registration period.
 Attend the ALANA End of Semester Social.
 All students must complete the Mid-Year Advising &
Mentoring Assessment.
April-May
 Touch base with your mentor.
 Meet with your adviser to plan fall semester.
 Register during your assigned registration period.
 Attend the ALANA End-of-the-Year Awards Reception.
 Complete the End-of-Year Advising & Mentoring Survey
PRINCE GEORGE’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE
301 Largo Road| Marlboro Hall, Room 2102 | Largo | MD | 20774 | Phone: (301)322-0730 | Email: ALANA@pgcc.edu