The Academic Assistance and Resource Center (AARC) is committed to improving the academic performance of the individual student at Stephen F. Austin State University. Through the personal attention of our staff, we engage students in a collaborative, learner-centered environment focused on developing the scholarship of clients and the leadership of tutors.
Objective 1:
Enhance excellence in learning, creativity, leadership, and mentorship
Strategies:
- The AARC will demonstrate continued growth in student participation in AARC services.
- The AARC will engage first-time, full-time freshmen in AARC services.
- The AARC will contribute to the retention of first-time, full-time freshman clients in university re-enrollment.
Objective 2:
Increase collaboration between AARC staff and other University professionals working towards the academic success of our students
Strategies:
- AARC staff will serve on committees that partner both Academic Affairs and University Affairs.
- AARC staff will solicit the input of faculty in developing and improving AARC services.
- staff will partner with SFA 101 in teaching study skills to freshmen.
Objective 3:
Increase the AARC’s success in achieving its learning outcomes for both clients and tutors
Strategies:
AARC staff will train our tutors to:
- create responsive, supportive interpersonal communication,
- motivate the student to engage in learning,
- facilitate interactive learning, and
- suggest or model specific ideas for the client to better prepare for assignments and tests.
Objective 4:
Focus our personal attention on our clients, faculty, staff, and tutors
Strategies:
AARC staff will train our Welcome Desk staff to:
- direct and inform students,
- diffuse frustrated clients, and
- create an empathetic and enthusiastic first impression.
Objective 5:
Create new services and improve current services to support more students
Strategies:
AARC staff will review the following guidelines each semester to determine new and improved services:
- courses with high enrollment of freshmen with high failure rate of freshmen,
- courses with high enrollment and high failure rate regardless of classification,
- courses with most frequency on the Waiting List, and
- core courses.
Objective 6:
Increase the visibility of the AARC to students and faculty
Strategies:
AARC staff will maintain a presence on campus via:
- poster campaigns in residence halls,
- web venues such as a homepage, social network page, articles in the University electronic newsletter, emails, and Early Alert communications,
- shirts for students, faculty, and staff, and
- presentations at Freshmen Orientations, New Faculty Orientation, Knock and Knows in residence halls, and tutor "pitches" in classes.