The Academic Development Program is designed to provide an opportunity for college education at WCU to selected students who do not meet current admission requirements but who, nevertheless, show evidence of having the ability to succeed in college. Students admitted to the program get a head start on their college study, because they will already have completed some required courses during the summer session. More important, students have the opportunity to enhance skills in writing, reading, mathematics, and speaking, which are crucial for college success. In addition to receiving specialized services, students are able to enter in the fall not only with increased academic confidence, but also with the feeling they have made meaningful friends. Students from the summer are also familiar with the campus and with University procedures. All of these advantages, and more, aid students in the transition from high school to college.

Features of the Academic Development Program include:
ADP COMPONENTS
ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM COURSES
SPECIAL ACTIVITIES

ADP COMPONENTS: ADVISING, MENTORING, TUTORING, COUNSELING, REFERRALS

ADVISING

Academic Development Program Advising:

• Is a significant component within the support network established for ADP students.
• Promotes an holistic approach advising, which is concerned not only with course selection but also with facilitating each student’s individual academic, social and cultural growth.
• ADP advisors embrace this perspective in their advising practices, and are also particularly adept in executing this approach to student development and success.

As part of the ADP summer program, students participate in a week-long advising seminar that addresses a host of issues including:

• information about the general education courses
• strategies for first year success
• selecting a major
• pre-requisites for various programs
• developing and achieving career, professional, and personal goals.

During the academic year students meet with advisors:

• To discuss their academic performance,
• Plan for the following semesters
• Address other issues related to their college experience, professional goals, and personal development.
• At least once during each semester’s registration period in order to schedule classes for the next semester.
• To plan for Priority Scheduling, which allows first year ADP students the advantage of selecting classes before other students in the university.  

Advisors and Contact Information:

Dr. Allan Hill
226 Lawrence Center
610-436-3507
ahill@wcupa.edu

Dr. Eleanor F. Shevlin
226 Lawrence Center (or 551 Main Hall, Dept. of English)
610-436-2833 (Main Hall office: 610-738-0499)
eshevlin@wcupa.edu

MENTORING

Each student will be assigned to a Peer Assistant, who will establish and maintain a close relationship with each student of the floor/wing. The Peer Assistant will advise students within the limits of his/her capabilities on academic, social and personal matters. The Peer Assistant should become aware of student problems and concerns including adjustment, homesickness, roommate conflicts, etc., and refer students who need assistance to the appropriate campus agencies and/or staff member.

TUTORING

Each additional ADP student will receive tutoring in the following courses: ENG-Q20, WRT-120, MAT-Q00, SPK 208. Additionally, depending on placement test scores, some students will receive tutoring in EDR-Q20 and/or MAT-Q01.

Learning Assistance & Resource Center

COUNSELING

Within the Counseling Component, licensed psychologists, dedicated to the success of developmental education students in college and as life-long learners:

Consider the whole person
Support the growth of each individual
Address personal, social, emotional and educational concerns

And, as faculty in The Department of Counseling and Psychological Services, utilize all the resources of its Counseling Center.

REFERRALS

The following offices are available to assist and support all incoming ADP students:

Office of the Registrar

Office of Financial Aid

Office of the Bursar

Health and Wellness Center

Counseling Center

Career Development Center

Division of Student Affairs

Learning Assistance and Resource Center

Office for Services for Student with Disabilities

Office of Social Equity

Academic Computing Center

Francis Harvey Green Library

Public Safety

<top>

ACADEMIC DEVELOPMENT PROGRAM COURSES

The ADP students are block scheduled into the following courses. All courses, except EDR100 include integrated tutoring sessions.

ENG Q20: Basic Writing (3 credits) English Q20 emphasizes the process of producing writing and focuses on the critical study of Academic Written English (AWE). Students will compose writing in various genres using revision and draft editing. Students will critically study AWE grammar and syntax through work with instructors and/or tutors. Finally, students will engage with texts through reading, analysis, and discussion. Students should complete the course with a greater understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses as writers, especially but not only with regard to producing college-level essays. NOTE: This course is a prerequisite to WRT 120 for students who have been placed in ENG Q20. Credits earned in Q00-level courses do not count toward the 120 hours of credit needed for graduation.

WRT 120: Effective Writing I (3 credits) An intensive course in writing that emphasizes skill in organization and awareness of styles of writing and levels of usage as ways of expressing and communicating experiences.

MAT Q01: Fundamental Skills in Arithmetic (3 credits) A course designed to strengthen basic arithmetic skills and to introduce the elements of algebra. Students, in general, are placed in MAT Q01 if their math SAT is less than 440. A student (other than an early childhood, elementary, or special education major) must complete this course and the subsequent course MAT Q00 with a grade of C- before enrolling in a 100-level mathematics course. An early childhood, elementary, or special education major with a math SAT score less than 480 must complete this course with a grade of at least C- before enrolling in MAT 101.

MAT Q00: Fundamentals of Algebra (3 credits) This course aims at strengthening basic algebraic skills. A student (other than an early childhood, elementary, and special education major) with a math SAT score greater than or equal to 440 and less than 480 must successfully complete this course with a grade of at least C- before enrolling in a 100-level mathematics course. Credits earned in Q00-level courses do not count toward the 120 hours of credit needed for graduation.

EDR Q20: Intermediate Level Reading (3 credits) This intermediate level workshop will emphasize the development and improvement of college-level reading competencies. The course is designed to help the students improve their reading comprehension as well as effective study techniques and strategies. Additionally, vocabulary development, flexible reading rate, and critical reading will be taught in this course.

EDR 100: College Reading and Study Skills (3 credits) A course to develop reading and study skills such as comprehension, vocabulary, speed, remembering, concentration, taking notes, mastering a text assignment, and preparing for and taking examinations.

SPK 208: Public Speaking (3credits) Development of skills necessary to understand the theory of communication as a problem-solving tool in the community. Special emphasis is on the student's performance as a sender and receiver of messages directed at social action.

<top>

SPECIAL ACTIVITIES

Mentoring: Each student will be assigned to a Peer Assistant, who will establish and maintain a close relationship with each student of the floor/wing.  The Peer Assistant will advise students within the limits of his/her capabilities on academic, social and personal matters.  The Peer Assistant should become aware of student problems and concerns including adjustment, homesickness, roommate conflicts, etc., and refer students who need assistance to the appropriate campus agencies and/or staff member.

Tutoring: Each additional ADP student will receive tutoring in the following courses: ENG-Q20, WRT-120, MAT-Q00, SPK 208.  Additionally, depending on placement test scores, some students will receive tutoring in EDR-Q20 and/or MAT-Q01.

Academic Advising: Each ADP student will participate in individualized and group advising activities during the summer and academic year.

Cultural Activities: Each ADP student will participate in several activities during the summer session: opening banquet, Frederick Douglass Theater presentation, social activities in the residence halls, recreational activity, and closing ceremony.

<top>