This story appeared in the 2023-24 Annual Report issue of Onyx Anneau.
According to Sara Boyer ’02, ‘13G, executive director for student success, successful colleges are adjusting to serve the needs of today’s college students. Adjustments include an attitude shift institutionally to be ready for all students that come to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College. “We have embraced this idea of being a student-ready college rather than expecting every student to be college-ready. Early interventions and collaborative services will help us meet students where they are,” Boyer explained.
Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College was awarded $1.35 million from Lilly Endowment Inc. along with Anderson University, Indiana Institute of Technology, Martin University and lead applicant, University of Indianapolis in 2021. The grant was part of the Endowment’s Phase 3 Charting the Future of Indiana’s Colleges and Universities Initiative. The initiative was designed to help Indiana institutions assess and prioritize the most significant challenges and opportunities and develop strategies to address them. As a part of the initiative, Boyer and Amy Houser ’02, director of financial aid, participated in the Lean Six Sigma training, earning their Green Belts. The training will allow them to help SMWC identify barriers to the success and retention of campus students and assist in establishing new and innovative initiatives to help overcome challenges.
From this, the concept of the Student Success Center emerged. The Lilly grant, along with a $250,000 grant from the Hollie and Anna Oakley Foundation, funded renovations to the second floor of the Rooney Center to combine the Learning Resource Center (LRC) with the newly added professional advisors/retention navigators with the relocation of the Career Center. The Student Success Center opened in January 2023. “The neat thing about the Student Success Center is that it is a one-stop shop for students. The retention navigators are helping students by working in tandem with the LRC or the Career Center,” said Boyer.
Learning Resource Center
- Enhance academic and life skills
- Enroll in college success courses
- Receive assistance from the writing center
- Secure individual, group or online tutoring services
- Receive one-on-one support from the Academic Support Team
- Prepare for and take (CLEP – Colleg-Level Examination Program) tests
- Register for assistance through Disability Support Services
Professional Advisors
- Develop a 4-year plan
- Discuss a change in major
- Connect to update plan
- Ensure a successful path is taken toward graduation
Career Center
- Explore career opportunities
- Build and refine resumes
- Search for internships and jobs
- Find study abroad options
- Gain assistance with graduate school applications
- Build a network of alumni partners
- Identify professional partners and resources
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