CENTER FOR STUDENT EXCELLENCE
Lorett Swank, Director
The mission of the Center for Student Excellence is to work in partnership with the
university academic departments and campus community to assist students in becoming
active, responsible, and successful learners. The center is committed to creating
an environment which fosters student development and retention.
To fulfill this mission, the Center for Student Excellence provides freshman advising
and academic coaching, the Southeastern (SE) 101: Freshman Academic Success course,
and tutoring in select subjects for all Southeastern students.
Professional academic advisors/coaches are assigned to assist all incoming freshmen
(new and transfer students with less than 30 hours). These students are advised in
the center until they complete two full semesters or 30 hours, whichever comes first.
First-year students meet individually with their professional advisor/coach throughout
the semester to discuss academic and career goals, grade progress, obstacles, and
other concerns. Advisors also help freshman students learn about and understand academic
plans, curriculum and/or program requirements, general education requirements, prerequisites,
and course selection.
SE 101, the university’s required academic success course for beginning freshmen,
is a two-hour credit graded success course which aims to provide freshman with the
tools needed to manage the emotional, social, and academic transition to the university.
It is designed to help cultivate effective and adaptable behaviors, develop successful
academic strategies, and to connect with professional advisors to explore career options,
academic plans, and target the skills needed to be a successful college student.
For first-year students that experience academic challenges, the CSE offers an Academic
Recovery Program where students can participate in counselor-led groups and/or individual
meetings with their assigned CSE advisor/coach. The Academic Recovery Program is designed
to help students identify and develop the tools, skills, and support necessary to
recover their grade point average and to regain "good" academic standing with the
university as quickly as possible. As an added resource, students are also eligible
to enroll in the SE 102: Freshman Academic Coaching Seminar, which is a one-credit
hour course that provides student-focused academic coaching by engaging and encouraging
freshman students on probation to identify the personal and academic strategies necessary
to succeed as college students.
Tutoring services are offered on the main campus, on-line via NetTutor, and at the
library for all Southeastern students. Qualified peer and professional tutors provide
one-on-one and small group tutoring with emphasis placed on the student’s responsibility
to actively engage in the learning process.
