The College of Charleston this fall offered a program to help ensure the success of incoming first-generation students and students who were accepted provisionally. These students often need extra support as they make the transition to college, but may not be able to take part in the longer summer programs that are offered.

Operation College Success is a three-day program that connects students with academic resources, faculty members, and cultural opportunities. The program is funded through the ROAR (Reach – Overcome – Achieve Results) Scholars program and sponsored by Multicultural Student Programs & Services and will continue for the next five years.

“We really want these students to build a relationship with faculty and staff members, as well as each other, prior to the start of classes,” says Tom Holcomb, director of the ROAR Scholars program. “By developing these connections, they have the support system in place, which we believe gives them a greater chance of success. It is far less intimidating to go to your first class if you’ve already had conversations with faculty.”

During Operation College Success, held August 15-18, students discussed foreign languages and expectations with the chair of the Hispanic studies department, and learned about assigned writing prompts and syllabi from an English faculty member. They also toured the Center for Student Learning, attended a workshop on test taking and interacted with a panel of current students.

The College of Charleston’s ROAR Scholars program assists first generation, low income or disabled students by offering free help in the areas of study skills, advising, and group study, exposure to cultural events, personal financial education, career counseling and mentoring. The program is funded through a five-year, $1.1 million TRiO grant ($220,000 per year).

The Office of Multicultural Student Programs and Services provides an opportunity for students to develop connections with other students, as well as providing advocacy, support services, and culturally based programs that educate the community about diversity and multiculturalism and empower them to be agents of social change in an increasingly diverse and global community.

For more information, contact Tom Holcomb at 843.953.6435 or holcombtf@cofc.edu or David Michener at 843.953.1402 or michenerdg@cofc.edu.