New Academic Success Center and Office of Academic Advocacy

Fri, 17 May 2019 10:52:41 -0400

The Division of Undergraduate Academic Affairs is pleased to announce, beginning in fall 2019, an expansion of the Division’s ongoing effort to support the success of our students in alignment with our strategic plan and university goals.

Several existing division offices will be brought together to establish the Academic Success Center. The Learning Resources Center, Office of Academic Standards and Policy Administration, and the newly created Office of Academic Advocacy will be co-located in Sherman Hall, B Wing, Room 345, as the Academic Success Center. The Center will have a unifying mission to support all undergraduate students through the delivery of a robust array of academic support services that enhance and empower students to successfully reach their educational goals. Through a coordinated approach with campus partners, the new center will provide opportunities for students to access academic skills support, tutoring, supplemental instruction, academic policy/petition information, and academic advocacy in one location. In collaboration with colleges and other campus offices, the Center will assist all students in their transition to college and help support their academic endeavors throughout their UMBC undergraduate career. The Center welcomes questions and inquiries from all students, faculty, and staff.

Under the leadership of Associate Vice Provost Amanda Knapp, Ph.D., the Division's Office of Academic Advocacy will initially provide an enhanced array of academic support services for entering freshmen and continuing students who entered UMBC as Freshmen. In collaboration with its campus partners, the Office will coordinate outreach to those undergraduate students experiencing academic challenges and provide individual support to promote undergraduate student persistence, academic progression, and timely graduation. The Office will house UMBC’s academic advocates, each of whom will be affiliated with an academic college. Together, they will work closely with the college's academic support services, advising, and departments to provide a coordinated approach to improve academic progression to graduation. The Office will also act as a campus resource for faculty and staff who wish to refer freshmen cohort students in need of additional academic support.

Katharine H. Cole, Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Academic Affairs