Center for Student Engagement and Success

The Center for Student Engagement and Success is a first-stop resource for students who need help. CSES staff can answer everyday questions about academics, personal life and professional success, as well as coordinate services as complex as helping students map an individual success plan for their four years at Mount St. Mary’s University. CSES’s unique position is intended to help integrate campus resources to enhance the student experience.

Vision

The Center for Student Engagement and Success aspires to provide an increased learning environment and quality experience that engages all students to become nation’s most promising ethical global leaders.

Mission

The Center for Student Engagement and Success is a first-stop resource to empower students to reach personal, academic and professional success.

Goals

1. To increase student persistence and academic achievement by providing appropriate academic support.
2. To provide personal support for students through a holistic approach to their development.
3. To link students with professional content and resources to support educational attainment and advancement.

Student retention has always been an important goal at the Mount. In the spring of 2016, the Board of Trustees identified the need for all students to feel engaged and successful to increase retention, persistence and four-year graduation rates. In meeting these goals, the Mount will align with nationwide trends and best practices.

CSES is here to help all students. CSES can also help departments advertise their events, news and programs. It can also help strategize solutions based on changing student needs. In time, CSES aims to provide training and workshops for faculty, staff and administration to mobilize the Mount community to provide unique help and guidance for our students.

CSES exists as a resource to help students access campus services. When students have questions about any personal, academic or professional need, they are encouraged to contact CSES. If CSES cannot provide direct support, a staff member will direct students to an office or department on campus that can help with specialized knowledge, services and skills. In the future, CSES will help the university identify gaps in student services from a student perspective, and then offer solutions and resources to fill the gaps to enhance student success at the Mount.

Questions that can be directed to CSES staff vary, but include things like:

• What resources are available to help me balance athletics and school?
• Where do I go if I need tutoring or writing services?
• Who do I talk to about getting a job or internship?
• I think I want to transfer/drop out – what do I do now?
• What kinds of clubs/activities are happening at the Mount?
• Which major should I choose?
• I’m having trouble with a friend/relationship/family – who can I talk to?

While CSES will be able to provide direct support for some of these inquiries, often the goal of the CSES is to operate as a clearinghouse by connecting students with offices or departments on campus that specialize in student services.

In the immediate future, the CSES office administrator and staff, student intern/mentor, or a volunteer from the Student, Faculty, or Administrator/Staff Advisory Council will staff the desk at CSES. All CSES desk staff will be trained with resources to direct students to appropriate campus resources.

Engagement is two-fold. It refers to the effort, time and energy a student spends in educational purposeful activities both inside and outside of the classroom (student behaviors) and the policies and practices that institutions use to induce students to participate (institutional conditions). Success includes graduating in four years with a quality education and a positive campus experience.

Early retention offices operated independently with a single focus on retention strategies. Today, vibrant retention programs support constructing strong and effective connections among the various components of a campus community. CSES coordinates institution-wide approaches that support strategic objectives, connects students with different campus resources, and identifies practices to help students succeed at the Mount.

CSES is growing steadily and offering limited services as resources permit. In the future, CSES plans to achieve the following goals:

• Train 15-20 Peer Leaders (student mentors) to assist in operating CSES.
• Train Success Coaches who will work closely with students to help define, plan, and execute their roadmap to success through academic, personal, and professional goals.
• Find a larger space for extended lounge and study areas, small private meeting rooms/work spaces, and additional computers and device charging stations.

CSES is located in the 24-hour pod in Phillips Library. You are welcome to use the space throughout the day and night. Peer Leaders will staff the center Monday through Thursday from 2pm to 5pm and 7pm to 10pm and Sunday 7pm-10pm. A vending machine is available 24 hours a day. The best ways to connect with CSES is dropping by during business hours, scheduling an appointment with our Success Coaches or emailing success@msmary.edu.