Access for Underserved Populations

Redesign content and format to improve transition experience for students and increase student success and retention

Research the possibilities of instituting inclusive textbook access – the idea that students would receive all digital course materials at a discounted rate, directly billed as part of their tuition. This model supports student academic success and retention efforts by ensuring every student is prepared on or before the first day of class.

An alternative presented by our textbook provider is branded as “equitable” access – the idea that students could pay a flat rate each semester for all course materials, print or digital.

The Summer Success Academy is a 6-week residential learning opportunity that provides incoming freshmen with the ability to get a jump start on their ASU experience. Student participants are enrolled in 7-9 hours depending on their cohort. Working closely with expert faculty and supported by a network of peer advisors, learning specialists, and tutors, Academy scholars learn together as a community within and beyond the classroom.

The Learning Communities (LCs) in which two or more courses are linked thematically with collaborative instruction and co-curricular activities. These courses, and their faculty, focus on core areas as well as areas of academic performance, retention, student mindset, and degree progression. LCs at ASU will provide an easier platform of transition to ASU students while providing a supportive network of peers, mentors, professors, success services, and more.

Lead tutors, professionals within the community, play a crucial role in the Writing and Math Centers, providing expert assistance to students. Peer Tutors, currently enrolled students who have excelled in their subjects with an A or B+, are well-equipped to confidently assist students in various subject areas. The goal of Lead and Peer Tutors is to help build confidence with the student learners and equip them with learning strategies that will enable them to complete a class assignment, test, mid or final exams.

Study table is an opportunity for students to have access to our faculty for assistance in various academic subjects. This is designed to help students clarify subject questions and enhance their understanding of course materials. This is offered to students 3 nights a week from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. During this time learning may be provided to students in a group or one on one sessions. Different learning strategies are introduced to help aid students in the learning process.

Consistent, reliable pipelines are important in sustaining program quality, viability, and productivity. This project seeks to increase the pipelines of student at all levels of AMSC certificates and degree programs. Historically, more effort has been dedicated to increasing the traditional student pipelines, the adult learner population provides a great opportunity for a new pipeline of students.  This is especially true given that the student population for traditional and adult learners is essential equal at 50%.  

This project focuses on increasing student admission (access), increasing semester-to-semester persistence, reducing time to graduation, increasing course pass rates, and ultimately increasing the number of completions.

Tutoring On-Demand (TOD) and Study Table services are available to students to aid in increasing academic support either in person or online.  The modality for this instruction may include one-on-one or group sessions in person or the integration of virtual tutoring via TOD.  These different modalities provide student access to academic resources that will help to increase their ability to engage in classroom learning and retain the content of the subject matter. 

The Freshman Residence Hall Tutoring activity aims to expand and strengthen academic and student services and resources while improving Freshman student persistence and success by way of implementing embedded in-hall residence learning and engagement opportunities.  The purpose of in-hall tutoring is to more efficiently respond to the needs of ASU’s Freshman student body by housing, in Freshman residence halls, crucial academic and student support services.  ASU currently provides academic support services for students that include Math and Writing Centers, tutoring services, and student su