Center for Access and Academic Success

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www.umes.edu/CAAS

Ms. Kimberly Clark-Shaw, Director

The Center for Access and Academic Success (CAAS) is designed to promote holistic academic and personal student development, providing assistance primarily to first and second year students and transfer students with less than 30 credits, with access to comprehensive academic support services which strengthen their performance and promote student success and retention. The Center offers academic support through the following services: Academic Advising and Coaching, Tutoring, Peer Mentoring, Supplemental Instruction (SI), and English as a Second Language (ESL). The center also encompasses student enrichment programs such as, “Future Outstanding Cohort of University Students” (FOCUS), “Dare to be Resilient, Accountable & Motivated” (DREAM) summer bridge program, and the First-year Experience-Hawk Mentor Partnership. CAAS partners with personnel from each of the divisions on campus—Academic Affairs, Administrative Affairs, Student Affairs and Institutional Advancement to support, and in some instances, creates initiatives that will assist in the retention of every student. The staff is comprised of highly trained and caring professionals who are dedicated to helping students achieve academic and personal success at UMES.

As a part of the Division of Enrollment Management and Student Experience, the Center for Access and Academic Success (CAAS) is designed to promote holistic academic and personal student development. Providing assistance primarily to first and second year students as well as transfer students with less than 30 credits, CAAS offers students’ access to comprehensive academic support services which strengthen their performance and promote student success and retention. The Center houses a team of Professional Academic Advisors who are committed to inclusivity while advising, and to empowering their students to achieve their goals while supporting them to overcome any challenges along the way. Academic Advising consists of the advisor building a relationship with the student to promote their active engagement with their academic journey in addition to focusing on the student and their needs in order to grow–academically and as individuals.

In addition to advising, CAAS provides student enrichment programs such as, “Future Outstanding Cohort of University Students” (FOCUS), the Step Beyond summer bridge program, and the Student Success Workshop series. Other academic support services include: Peer Tutoring and Mentoring certified under the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) and teaching all First-Year Experience courses as part of the First-Year Experience (FYE) program. CAAS is funded to deliver and manage Title III programming for the FYE program as well as the Hawk Mentoring Partnership, called “Comprehensive Retention Initiatives for Student Success” (C.R.I.S.S).

New student onboarding is a primary function of CAAS. This orientation experience managed by CAAS, is called “UMES Hawk Flight School” which includes an introduction to all campus resources and services as well as academic advising and scheduling. CAAS offers both an on-campus and a virtual online orientation (VOO) program for incoming first-year, transfer, and international students. The virtual experience resembles all aspects of traditional orientation and includes live chat and assistance for students and families who need additional support before arriving on campus. Another major effort by the CAAS team is specifically designed for first-year students; CAAS works with academic departments to prepare and pre-load their first semester academic schedules. Also, as part of the onboarding process, all first-year students participate in “Freshmen Week” which provides an opportunity for first-year students to get acclimated to college life before classes begin. 

The CAAS team partners with personnel from each divisions on campus—Academic Affairs, Administrative Affairs, Student Affairs and Institutional Advancement to support and create initiatives that will assist in student retention. In a continuous effort to support student progress and success, CAAS uses the Hobson Starfish Retention Solutions platform for Early Alert, coordinating and scheduling services, and to communicate with students and faculty. Overall, the team is comprised of highly trained and caring professionals who are dedicated to helping students achieve academic and personal success at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore. 

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