University of Nevada, Las Vegas
From its inception with a task force established by then Executive Vice President and Provost Neal Smatresk, the ASC has been engaged with a wide range of campus partners, including a number of Colleges, the UNLV Libraries, CAEO, Student Affairs, Enrollment Services, and, of course, Athletics. They say “it takes a village,” and in our case, it took a wealth of caring and giving colleagues throughout UNLV to help establish a Center that welcomes and supports all students—especially our undergraduate students. With our strength lying in these talented professionals and an outstanding team of administrative faculty, staff and Faculty-in-Residence at the ASC, we have:

2007 - University College transitioned into the Academic Success Center. Today, approximately 57,000 students walk through the doors of our services annually

2009 - Transitioned Supplemental Instruction to the ASC. Today, over 8,800 visits to "SI" are made throughout the academic year

2010 - Academic Success Coaching Program was Launched. 2015 - Coaching Spot opened. Today, over 3,000 visits are recorded each academic yea.

2010 - Opened tutoring in Lied Library. Today, almost 19,000 visits are made during the academic year

Since Fall 2010 , the Exploring major has welcomed well over 10,000 first-time students to UNLV

2011 - The ASC partnered with the College of Liberal Arts to launch COLA 100E. Today, COLA 100E is the largest first-year seminar (COLA 100E) on campus

All 480 UNLV student-athletes receive one-on-one advising from student-athlete advisors

2011 - Launched Early Studies Program

2011 - Held first Academic Success Workshops

2012 - Hixson-Lied Scholarship program was launched

2014 - Held first Expect Success Bridge Programs

2015 - Launched Brainfuse online tutoring program

2017 - Launched first UNLV Pride Conference

2018 - Enrolled first cohort of Advanced Studies Students

UNLV student-athletes currently have a graduation success rate of 76%

186 student-athletes were honored with Academic All-Conference and Conference Scholar-Athlete awards in the 2017-2018 academic year

Over 1130 Exploring and Major Pathways students attended New Student Orientation in Summer 2018

As we look forward to the next ten years, our sights are set on a one-stop building in partnership with CAEO that will be a central hub to provide academic support services and provide the opportunity for every student shine as a successful student and graduate of UNLV.
Jennifer Villalobos and Kimberly Drew represented UNLV at the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals (N4A) Region V Conference in Portland, OR. In this year’s conference they focused on improving the development of “life after sports” to create an environment where student-athletes can take advantage of their skills learned from sports and translate it into life after graduation.

David Wedley represented UNLV at the Mountain West Conference Administrative Meeting in Colorado Springs, CO, where he along with Academic Directors, Faculty Athletic Representatives, and Compliance Directors from each conference institution are all in attendance. This conference provides an opportunity to share best practices among conference universities and discuss rule changes to enhance the academic and competitive profile. This experience allows for more efficient eligibility certification for our student-athletes which brings improvements to UNLV's Student-Athlete Academic Services (SAAS).

GAs Making a Difference
The Graduate Assistants from the SAAS team are also helping strengthen the culture by leading mental-health trainings and furthering their professional development. Rachel Mooers continues to contribute to the whole Rebel Academy where she focuses on total person development for student-athletes. Rachel and Nikki Regalado also helped lead separate sessions for mental health trainings on how technology affects mental health and the stigma on masculinity. Maria Aladjova has completed a mentorship certificate and is in process of completing a teaching certificate as well. Maria is also involved in the Post-Master's Career pathway program designed to help graduate students explore and prepare for a variety of career opportunities.

Fostering Relationships with the UNLV Community
Through these various meetings, trainings and development sessions the SAAS team has connected with several people throughout the UNLV community. Dr. Katherine Hertlein, from the Marriage & Family Therapy department, shared her insight in mental health training on how technology influences one’s mental, and emotional health. In another session, Ross Bryant and his team at UNLV Veterans Services shared their strategies and culture on how they manage those students who may be in crisis through transitioning into the “normal” lifestyle. Mr. Bryant also gave SAAS the opportunity to further their training with safeTALK, where they can learn how to recognize those who may be in a mental-health crisis and know how act by connecting them with life-saving resources. UNLV Sports Psychologist Dr. Kasey Oiness-Thompson also shared her insight and resources with the SAAS team on how to connect with her and other mental health resources within the UNLV athletic community. SAAS is very excited to have fostered so many new relationships that will help further optimize the success of student-athletes in all areas of their lives. 
The Academic Success Center (ASC) held its first Poster Session on Friday, October 12 th , as part of UNLV’s Research Week events. Now in its fourth year, UNLV Research Week was created to celebrate the “research, scholarly, and creative activities of our faculty and students through events that educate, engage, and inspire attendees” (UNLV Office of Research and Economic Development). 

Participation in the event is important to the ASC for multiple reasons. First, partnership with the Office of Research and Economic Development on researched-based initiatives demonstrates an active commitment to the Top Tier mission of UNLV. Additionally, participation in Research Week activities depicts the effort that ASC faculty, staff, and graduate assistants make toward improving student success, from a rigorous, scholarly perspective. Across the country, many centers do not utilize research-based evidence to support decisions regarding programs and services. The ASC is one of the forerunners in utilizing both quantitative and qualitative research to drive improvements to curriculum, programs, and services. Through events such as the poster session, the ASC can showcase how it implements data-driven decisions. 
The ASC’s Poster Session highlighted research, program evaluations, literature reviews, and other scholarly topics on academic success from many of our faculty, administrative staff, and graduate assistants. Topics included: First-Year Seminars, Peer Mentors, theories behind Supplemental Instruction (SI), SI volunteers, UNLV Pride, Math Bridge, social media and student integration, and the link between use of Learning Support services (tutoring, coaching, etc.) and student retention. Students and colleagues from within the ASC, different campus departments, and even campus visitors contributed to the excellent turnout for the event. Following the session, the posters hung through the next week, allowing first-year seminar students to see the research being conducted on academic success. Many thanks to the presenters for sharing their research and contributing to continued academic success! 
On September 5th, 2018, the UNLV Academic Success Center celebrated its 10-year anniversary as partners in success to our UNLV Rebels. The celebration began with a carnival theme setting in front of the ASC building where students, alumni and guests enjoyed fresh popcorn, cotton candy and complimentary ASC 10-year anniversary shirts. The celebration continued with awards presented to outstanding alumni, staff, students, graduate assistants and contributors to the ASC’s inception and success. 

Award Winners listed below:
Alumni Award of Excellence ~ Ashley Rapuano
Alumni Award of Excellence ~ Crestencia Ortiz-barnett
Alumni Award of Excellence ~ Devante Davis
Classified Dedication Award ~ Monica Mcneely Williams
Dean’s Award ~ Chairman Kevin J. Page
Dean’s Award ~ Dr. Carl Rieber
Founders Award ~ Dr. Neal Smatresk
Full-time Faculty Dedication Award ~ Salvador Mora
Graduate Student Ambassador Award ~ John Starkey
Outstanding Graduate Award ~ Angelica Bustos
Outstanding Graduate Award ~ Ariana Burton
Outstanding Graduate Award ~ Lily Sender
Outstanding Graduate Award ~ Vivian Sam
Outstanding Impact Award ~ Miss Christina Hixson
Partners of Success Awards ~ College of Liberal Arts, University Libraries, College of Engineering 
The ASC was presented with their own award from CSUN President Christopher Roys for our outstanding service to student success. The ASC is proud to be serving our students for ten years now. The ASC is dedicated and committed to help students gain academic achievement from our services such as tutoring, academic advising, supplemental instruction, coaching and much more. Cheers to 10 years and many more! 
Did you know that the largest first-year seminar at UNLV, COLA 100E, offers sections in the four weeks preceding the Fall semester? Known as August Modular (pre-Fall) sections, these classes count as Fall credits and are applied to the Fall tuition bill. In August 2018, COLA 100E offered four sections of the August Modular COLA 100E. This unique opportunity has doubled in size since August 2017 and experienced enrollment success by marketing to students at New Student Orientation and Math Bridge. Students that self-select into this course are able to complete a degree requirement prior to their first semester on campus, which is traditionally not the case for first-year students admitted for the Fall semester because they cannot use federal financial aid for summer sections. In addition, incoming first-year students cannot enroll in summer courses unless they also apply for non-degree seeking status in addition to being degree-seeking for the Fall. Further, participating students are able to get a head-start on “15 to Finish”, a national campaign that encourages students to take 15 credits each semester to graduate in four years. First-year students that have completed one of these sections have stated that they highly recommend freshman to consider taking this class as it is a great way to get know what college is like before starting. Essentially, taking an August Modular COLA 100E gives students who fear a heavy academic load their first semester the chance to adjust to college rigor in one class prior to their first semester, rather than a full academic load at once. This version of COLA 100E uses the same textbook and common reader, as well as maintains the same course expectations and assignments, that the 16-week version does. August Modular meets Monday through Friday for two hours per day. A strong benefit to the August Modular COLA 100E is the ability for first-year students to build a community of peers that are also entering a new chapter in their educational journey, to lean on and turn to for support, regardless of major. Another great benefit of this course is the ability to establish a connection with a faculty member, which is a highly regarded predictor of retention. The Academic Success Center is excited to continue offering this opportunity in August 2019!  
The Academic Advising unit for the Academic Success Center (ASC) has welcomed its largest ever freshman cohort for Fall 2018. Through summer New Student Orientations (NSO), 951 first-time, full-time freshmen enrolled in classes, and are currently in the Exploring major at UNLV. This is due to the growth of our Major Pathways program, now in its third year. Advising has also been a part of the improved retention rates of our freshman from their first fall, to their second fall semester. The advising unit continues to adjust our services and partnerships with other units in the ASC to serve the academic and co-academic needs of all students.

The Academic Advising unit has modified its orientation procedures to better serve incoming freshmen. Instead of talking to 70-100 students in an auditorium at once, they’ve been divided into four groups for more personal advisor/student interaction. Advisors are also introduced to other academic services at orientation. Academic Success Coaches present at orientation regarding the soft-skills (time management, study habits, etc.) needed as a freshman and the importance of related services such as tutoring and supplemental instruction. Academic advisors are also available after orientation on drop-in basis (including Saturday orientations).

Approximately one-third of students in the Exploring major at UNLV are in the Major Pathways program. This program, in its third year, provides guidance to incoming freshman who are in progress of meeting the Math requirement for their chosen major. These students are able to take advantage of all Academic Success Center services, including more intentional communication (email/phone), in-depth academic advising/major exploration as well as the ability to take the First-Year Seminar, COLA 100E.

With the continued growth of the Exploring major at UNLV, the Academic Success Center and Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education’s office continue to support all students with the services provided by the ASC. This includes lower advisor-to-student ratios, access to ASC programs for all students and better communication between departments. Student-centered services are the focus for academic advising and all programming offered by the Academic Success Center at UNLV.
Undergraduates looking for exciting ways to work on campus helping peers, building valuable leadership and public speaking experience, and staying current on previous course material are encouraged to look at the job and volunteer opportunities available through ASC’s Supplemental Instruction (SI) program! SI are free, peer-assisted study sessions that partner with historically difficult courses each semester, and provide students enrolled in those courses guided reviews of subject concepts and learning strategies in sequence with the material. Student employees and volunteers of the SI program go through periodic trainings throughout the semester, practicing facilitation of group collaboration and guided active discussion techniques critical to the SI model. Continuing education is also provided to student employees and volunteers to explore the theories and strategies that reinforce SI including Social-Cognitive Learning Theory, Constructivism, Schemas and Bloom’s Taxonomy. Hiring is traditionally done prior to each semester, but applicants for SI positions are accepted throughout the school year! To learn more about the job or volunteer opportunities available in SI, or to find a listing of eligible SI courses, please visit unlv.edu/asc/supplemental-instruction .
Thank you for your support!
Expect Success!
Phone: (702) 895-3177 | asc@unlv.edu | www.unlv.edu/asc | @UNLV_ASC