ATTN: Students IMPORTANT!!

Want a Co-Op?

If you are thinking about completing a Co-op this summer, that is a good idea. Most companies require that you register with Career Development Services (CDS) before you can engage in a Co-op.  Co-ops are meaningful career-building experiences that help you gain relevant workplace experience and build professional networking contacts and mentoring relationships. They also help you to explore a variety of professional fields and increase the likelihood of job offers prior to graduation.

Make sure you sign up to receive information and also help for finding the best Co-op for you in Career Development Services (CDS). All students are encouraged to complete, at least, one internship or co-op before graduation. Do it today!! CDS staff is available to assist you with résumé development, interview skills, job searches, and other career related topics. To learn more, visit the CDS Office which is located in 101 Patton Hall or call 256.372.5692.

Jasmine, OASiS GSA

Academic Support Available for Students

The Office of Academic Support Services (OASiS), formerly known as the Office of Retention & Academic Support (ORAS),  is a multi-faceted, comprehensive department designed to facilitate and improve student success, retention, and graduation rates. Whether you need a tutor, a mentor, or academic advising, our office is available to any AAMU student who needs our help.

Don’t wait until your grades are irreparable, get help now! We take time to listen, learn about your goals and dreams, access your academic status, and develop a plan of success.

We are located on the first floor (Rooms 101 -109, 112) in Buchanan Hall. Individualized programs can be set up to help you achieve all of your academic goals at Alabama A&M University.

If you need help understanding your course material, sign up for tutoring.  Tutoring and SI are offered through the Tutorial Assistance Network, known around campus as TAN. Students can take advantage of being tutored in a one-on-one or group session. SI is proven academic approach that can help students increase their grade in the course by 20 points of more by attending the SI study sessions with an SI Leader. Ms. Linda Skeete McClellan is the TAN/SI Coordinator and can be reached at 256.372.5487.

First-Time Freshmen can also find support with advising and academic support in OASiS. The Academic Specialist/Adviser can help any first-time freshman with course registration, developing study skills strategies, choosing a major, understanding university policies and procedures, and connecting the student with appropriate campus resources.

ASAP was created specifically for conditionally admitted first-time freshman. Its mission is to help assist freshmen in their pursuit of achieving their highest potential by navigating them through an array of academic support services based on individual need such as academic advising and registration, first-year academic progress monitoring, tutoring, SI, mentoring, and major/career exploration. For more information, call Ms. Cynthia Benion at 256.372.8087.

Mentors can also be found in the Office of  Academic Support Services. The Changing Lanes Mentoring Program (CLMP) is a program that has been specifically designed to benefit you. CLMP is open to any first-time freshman who wants to increase his or her chances of being successful by developing a positive relationship with a trained mentor. Special events and activities scheduled during the academic year provide mentors and first-time freshmen opportunities to interact and get to know each other. Students are encouraged to initiate meetings with their mentors as often as necessary. To become a part of this program, please contact Dr. Howard Wright by calling 256.372.5493.

The Office of Academic Support Services also serves students on Probation. The University requires ALL students on academic probation to register with OASiS's Bulldog Academic Resource Connection (BARC) program. Please call Ms. Dawn Miles or Ms. Janet Jones at 256.372.5494 or 256.372.8089 for more information on ways to get off probation. The Academic Specialists will thoroughly review your academic record, compute your semester needed GPA to achieve the GPA required for your classification, work with you to develop an Academic Success Plan that will help you to return to good academic standing, and provide continuous support throughout your journey to graduation.

Dr. Leatha M. Bennett, the OASiS Director, provides leadership for OASiS. She can assist students with any academic issue or concern. She conducts Academic Record Checks which gives students a thorough understanding of their transcripts. She also offers advice to students on ways to clean up their transcripts, including advising students on the University’s Academic Bankruptcy policy. She also helps students to look for errors on their transcripts and works closely with the Registrar to correct the errors. She teaches them to take responsibility for their own records. Dr. Bennett feels that students can make more informed decisions when they have the essential information available to them. She can be reached at 256.372.5491. Her office is located in 105 Buchanan Hall and she encourages students to drop by anytime.

For more information about the academic support programs offered, please call 256.372.5491.

Jasmine, OASiS GSA

Get Involved!!

While academics is important and plays a key role in successfully finding employment, receiving scholarships, internships, and acceptance into graduate school, student involvement on campus is often desired.  Many employers and scholarship/internship committees value your commitment to the university through volunteerism and participation in student activities. Lack of involvement could be the determining factor of whether you receive that dream job or internship. Those students that do participate and are leaders of various organizations on campus are thought to be well rounded and disciplined, so get involved today!!

It is a very good idea for students to develop outside interests through participation in a wide range of activities, so long as academic performance is not sacrificed. If you are looking for the student organization that best fits you, visit the Office of Student Activities & Leadership Development (OSALD). With over 115 registered student organizations, the office serves as the nucleus for social, recreational, cultural and individualized interests. The Office of Student Activities provides the resources, guidance, and support to enhance student achievements and activities while serving the interests of the college community. For a list of departmental, scholastic, service, and other student groups at the University, please visit the Office of Student Activities or visit the office in 311 Patton Hall.

For more information, call 256.372.5615.

Jasmine OASiS, GSA

Thinking about Studying Abroad?

The Office of International Programs allows you the opportunity to expand your knowledge by expanding your experiences in the US and abroad. The University offers a number of international academic programs that can benefit students. Some of their programs offered are: the student exchange programs in the US and Canada, the Semester at Sea, and study abroad programs for language and intercultural training. Taking advantage of the Study Abroad programs will enhance your academic goals and provides you with more than an international tourist experience. Your financial aid at AAMU can help support your study at another participating university. Studying abroad is the optimal way to learn a language, expand your worldview, and enhance your employment opportunities.

If you are interested in participating in the Studying Abroad program, you should visit the Office of International Programs or stop by Office 104 in the Bonner Wing of Carver Complex. The staff will help you to create an online account to connect you with a Study Abroad advisor.  S/he will assist you in finding a program that is relevant to your academic goals and appropriate to your individual characteristics.

Start packing! For more information, call 256.372.5418.

Jasmine OASiS, GSA

Office of Financial Aid

The Office of Financial Aid is here to provide you with information on ways to finance your education. Financial Aid is offered in the form of scholarships, grants, work study, and loans. Many financial aid questions can be answered by simply visiting the Office of Financial Aid’s webpage or by calling 256.372.5400 including financial aid for Summer school, unclaimed scholarship funds, and instructions for how to complete the 2012-2013 FAFSA.

At the beginning of each semester the wait-time to visit an analyst in the Financial Aid Office can take from a few minutes to a few hours. However, there is good news!!! You are not required to visit the Office of Financial Aid to view your grant, scholarship, or loan award for that semester! All information can be viewed by simply logging into your Banner account on the University’s web page. A student does not have to visit the Office, unless a major problem occurs such as making an adjustment in your award.

If you have not completed your 2012-2012 FAFSA, you are already late! Students who submit their FAFSAs early will be given priority consideration.  For more information about completing your FAFSA can be found at FAFSA.gov. Remember, the sooner taxes are filed, the better.

The Director of the Office of Financial Aid, Mr. Darryl Jackson, is also helping you stay abreast of important financial aid information through his e-financial aid tips via your Bulldog email account. These tips are sent out weekly by the Director and offer relevant information regarding scholarships, President Obama’s Student Loan Debt Initiative, opting out of receiving a book voucher, and other important information. Don’t forget to complete the Customer Satisfaction Survey which gives the Office of Financial Aid information that will help to better serve students. It can be found under Quick Links on the Office of Financial Aid’s webpage.

The Office of Financial Aid is located in 211 Patton Hall. You will be met by a team of professionals who enjoy serving students.

Keeping you informed,

Jasmine, OASiS GSA

Office of the Registrar – It is More Than Just for Registration!

The Registrar’s Office holds every student’s record of academic performance and is located in 214 Patton Hall. It is of extreme importance that you make sure that this Office has your correct and current mailing address on file, since this is the address to which all mail from the University will be sent. Failure to update your current mailing address could result in delayed receipt of important, time-sensitive, University correspondence. The Registrar’s Office also maintains transcripts for all coursework completed by students enrolled at the University. You should routinely monitor your transcript for errors, incomplete grades (I), and other problems which can be identified and corrected well in advance of graduation.

If you need further assistance in understanding how to view your transcript and what errors to look for, please consider receiving an Academic Record Check from Dr. Bennett in the Office of Retention and Academic Support (ORAS). Academic Record Checks help students understand their transcript, identify changes which need to occur, learn how to calculate their GPA, and develop a plan to achieve their academic and professional goals. Throughout the semester Dr. Bennett can be spotted on campus visiting the various residential halls to work one-on-one with students. Take some time in between classes to sit down with her and discuss your transcript. This record holds valuable information that, if overlooked, can be the deciding factor for your future. Students should remember the only official record of a student’s academic progress at the University is a transcript. If you miss Dr. Bennett in the residential halls, drop by her office in 105 Buchanan Hall. She will welcome you with open arms and give you the tools to manage your own transcript.

The Registrar’s office hours are from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. from Monday through Friday. The friendly and knowledgeable staff can help you to find answers to your questions. Take heed to ORAS’s slogan, “The Tassel is Worth the Hassle.”

Jasmine, OASiS GSA