ACADEMICS

Student Success and Retention

Overview

Student Success and Retention provides academic support and career guidance to new and continuing students through Advising, the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) and Accommodations and Testing, Career Support, and the Warriors Thrive program.

Student Success Advising

From the initial registration appointment, staff advisors work with students to establish an educational plan, define career goals, understand vocational aspirations, and connect them to co-curricular opportunities that will enhance their education and prepare them for life beyond the university experience. All new undergraduate First Time in College (FTIC) and transfer students are advised through the Student Success & Advising department regarding course selection and registration for their first year. Traditional students are subsequently transferred to a full-time faculty member with expertise in their field of study. Accelerated students continue to work with the Student Success & Advising throughout their program. Graduate students are advised by the director of their program.

Academic Center for Excellence (ACE)

Rochester Christian University’s Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) offers free peer tutoring sessions, study resources, computer and printer stations, and much more. At the ACE you will have access to student-centered programs, resources, and services to help you develop and grow as a student. It’s a great resource for printing your paper, checking your email, finding a textbook, checking out a calculator, working with a tutor, improving your study skills, or working independently. All services and resources are free to RCU students.

Career Support

Career Support maintains the University’s online postings for internships and full and part-time employment opportunities, works with academic departments to help connect students with internship opportunities and provides a variety of resources to students seeking to explore career options.

Warriors Thrive

Welcome to WarriorsThrive! This program has been designed to support conditionally admitted students as they transition from high school to college. WarriorsThrive launched in Fall 2022 and we saw excellent results.

Through this program, you will have support through:

Academic Coaching: You will meet with your academic coach virtually before your classes are scheduled and will have at least three in-person meetings throughout the fall semester. Your academic coach is there to support you by helping you navigate the university system, providing encouragement and accountability, and connecting you to campus resources when needed. Students entering with a high school GPA below 2.25 will automatically be assigned an Academic Coach. Students with a high school GPA between 2.25 and 2.5 may request an academic coaching assignment.
Warriors Thrive: Preparing for College Success Seminar – Conditionally admitted students are automatically registered for this seminar that is offered to all first time students during the month of August. The seminar is self paced and takes 10-15 hours to complete over the course of the month of August.
ENG1011 Composition Workshop: All conditionally admitted first time in college students will be automatically enrolled in this 1 credit workshop that provides supplemental instruction and support for composition. Students will be concurrently enrolled in ENG1113 Composition A.
IDS1003 Practical Application of Learning Strategies: All conditionally admitted first time in college students will be automatically enrolled in this course that meets twice a week throughout the Fall semester. The course covers strategies for college success in areas such as time management, studying, test-taking, note-taking, health, and more.

Our Fall 2022 Warriors Thrive program had a significant positive impact on first semester college grade point average (GPA) for students who completed the program.

Conditionally admitted students who completed all three academic coaching meetings had an average first term GPA of 3.0. Additionally, 100% of the students who completed all three coaching sessions returned for the Spring semester and only 7.69% of those students were on academic action after the fall semester.