Special Academic Resources

The Center for Academic Success and Engagement (CASE)

The Center for Academic Success and Engagement (CASE) at Saint Peter’s University provides students with the academic advising, programming, tools and resources needed to successfully manage the college experience and achieve their academic goals. In collaboration with the schools and colleges CASE assists students with the transition to college-level work and supports their academic endeavors throughout their entire college career. The following programs and services are provided to students in their first year and beyond:

  • Academic Coaching and Learning Strategy Consulting
  • Disability Services
  • First-Year and Transfer Advising
  • Freshman Common Reading Program
  • Learning Support Programming & Workshops
  • Peer Mentoring Program
  • Testing and Registration
  • Transfer Services
  • Tutoring
  • Study Groups and Study Skills Preparation
  • Supplementary Instruction (SI)
  • Undeclared Advising & Major Exploration Services

Academic Success Program (ASP) and Summer Academy

Tushar Trivedi, Director

Students who are conditionally admitted have access to supplemental academic assistance prior to and during freshman year through the Academic Suc­cess Program (ASP). ASP students are identified by Admissions as having the potential for success but may require extra support to reach that potential. A key component of ASP is the Summer Academy, a three-week intensive program, designed to facilitate the transition from high school to college—in which students take an engaging, interdisciplinary course to sharpen their reading, writing, and math skills, while earning three academic credits towards graduation. Students are placed in ASP learning labs in the fall semester of freshman year to reinforce study skills and time management and receive dedicated faculty advising. The Coordinator of the Program also assists the Dean of Freshmen and Sophomores and freshmen faculty advisors throughout the academic year in monitoring the academic performance of these students and provides students with personalized guidance and support. The ASP program also offers tutoring services, workshops, and community service learning projects. Additional assistance is available through the orientation program, developmental courses, and tutorial assistance provided by the Center for the Advancement in Lan­guage and Learning (CALL).

Developmental Programs

Before registration, entering students take placement tests in composition, read­ing, and mathematics, which determine their enrollment in specific composition and mathematics courses. Based on their placement results, students who need supplemental academic assistance in composition, reading, mathematics, and reasoning ability, may be required to take one or more developmental courses. Tutoring assistance is also provided through the Center for the Advancement of Language and Learning. These developmental courses do not carry academic credit and may not be applied towards degree requirements.

The STEM Engagement Center (STEMEC)

The STEM Engagement Center (STEMEC) is a hub for students of biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, chemistry, computer science, health sciences, mathematics, physics, and psychology.  The STEMEC seeks to increase undergraduate retention and graduation rates, as well as empower students to achieve their academic and career goals, using a holistic approach that addresses the unique needs of our student population. Students are provided with free academic support such as tutoring, supplemental instruction, and academic coaching, while also having access to free laptops, textbooks, and graphic calculators. In addition to its academic support for students, the STEMEC provides students with one-on-one career coaching and career workshops, as well as opportunities to connect with graduate schools and potential employers.

TRiO Student Support Services

The term “TRiO” was coined in the late 1970’s when the first three programs were established. These three programs include Upward Bound (1964), Educational Talent Search (1965) and Student Support Services Program (1965). Over the years, TRiO programs have expanded and now include several additional programs.

E.D.G.E. Program

(Engage, Discover, Gain experience, Excel) Student Support Services helps low-income and first generational students to stay in college until they earn their baccalaureate degrees. Participants also include disabled college students, who receive tutoring, counseling and remedial instruction. The Student Support Services (SSS) at Saint Peter’s offers participants a comprehensive four-year program, entitled the EDGE (Engage, Discover, Gain Experience, Excel), that features result- oriented support services, rather than a series of non-connected activities. The goal of SSS is to increase retention and graduation rates of participants through quality interactions, clear expectations and pathways to academic preparedness.

Engage

  • Addresses many issues associated with transitioning from high school to college through the New Student Orientation Program, a Summer Bridge Program and Learning Communities.
  • Academic Advising, Academic Assistance and Tutoring by GEMS (Getting Engaged in Mentoring Students) who are existing peer mentors, will also be provided.

Discover

  • Continues critical support services and interventions, but begins to focus more specifically on distinct pathways to success
  • Guidance on choosing a major, exploring experiential learning, leadership, and service opportunities; and career exploration.

Gain experience

  • Emphasizes four areas:
    • Degree completion strategies
    • Experiential learning
    • Graduate/professional school exploration/preparation
    • Preparing to enter the work force

Excel

  • Addresses degree completion, implementation of postgraduate plans and assimilation of the academic, experiential learning, social and leadership growth as seen in the Life Portfolio.

Center for English Language Acquisition and Culture (CELAC)

Alicia D'Amato, Director

Created to address the needs of our culturally and linguistically diverse student population, CELAC offers a wide range of resources to support and promote academic success for students whose first or strongest language is not English. Along with having a variety of undergraduate writing and reading classes, we also offer courses in English as a Second Language for students and community members who are seeking to improve their English skills.