Student Success Center

The Bridge Program provides incoming first year students with an opportunity to come on campus five days before their first semester begins to learn skills and techniques to help them build a "bridge" between their high school and college experiences. The Bridge Program provides both academic and personal motivational support through a series of workshops that address note-taking, academic organizing, time management, text book reading, goal development, stress management, peer pressure, and positive thinking. Students are assessed in the areas of study skills, personality/learning style and self-esteem. They are then provided with techniques to strengthen areas of weakness and are affirmed in their areas of strength. In addition, students have an opportunity to get to know other students before the formal semester begins and to develop the staff, student and faculty support networks that can assist them in making a smooth transition to college. Student participation in the Bridge Program is by invitation and is strictly voluntary.

The First Year Experience Program (FYE) is designed to orient first year students to the institution and help them integrate themselves into the College community. Through a special introductory session at orientation class during the first semester, all first year students have the opportunity to become familiar with key offices, services and resource on campus and to explore issues related to college life, i.e., diversity, wellness, critical thinking, learning and communication skills.

Misericordia University's Choice Program consists of a series of workshops designed to assist Undeclared students explore their interests, values and skills as well as the various Misericordia major curricula and world of work. During the Choice program, students meet with their advisor and will complete a series of informal assessments, engage in individual and group reflection experiences, interact with area employers representing student's fields of interest, explore the Misericordia catalogue and meet with Misericordia professors to explore career options in the various major fields. The Choice Program offers Undeclared students an opportunity to interact with other students who are exploring their futures and provides them with a support system as they adjust to college and make decisions about their major and career choices. This workshop is co-developed by the Student Success Center and the Insalaco Center for Career Development.

The Student Success Center closely monitors first year student grades. During the first semester, students who are struggling academically at midterm are invited to attend a voluntary academic support program called G.P.S. (Guided Practices for Success). The program consists of a workshop series that assists students in developing time management skills, study skills, learning strategies and behaviors associated with success in college.

For students who are placed on academic probation after the first semester, The Student Success Center provides a required academic intervention program called M.A.P.S. (Misericordia Academic Planning for Success). This program consists of a semester long intervention program that helps students develop time management skills, study skills, learning strategies and behaviors associated with success in college. The Student Success Center staff maintain close contact with the faculty and sports coaches of students involved in the program for the purpose of monitoring student progress. Students are also placed in tutoring groups that addresses the course work where the student needs the most assistance.