Retention Commitments and Actions

1. Center for Academic Resources and Enrichment Services (CARES)

   CARES provides a comprehensive academic support system as well as enrichment services to aid in increasing the retention and graduation rates of underrepresented students. Programs and activities assist students in achieving academic excellence and adjusting to student life at the University of Kentucky.

   Services

   • Academic Planning (Academic Progress Sessions)
   • Tutoring/Study Groups
   • Study Skills
   • Help With Personal Issues
   • Computer Lab

   Programs/Activities

   Freshmen Programs/Activities
   Critical First Year Program
   Science Learning Community
   Math Learning Community
   Peer Academic Coaching (PAC) - Target Partnership Program
   Freshman Summer Program (FSP)
   Third Semester Freshmen/Sophomore Programs/Activities
   Path Finder Program: Explore, Excel, Succeed
   Junior and Senior Programs/Activities

   SOAR

   SOAR focuses on professional and leadership development to enhance career preparedness.
   SOAR components include:
   • Leadership Development
   • Career Preparation
   • Academic Planning

   William C. Parker Scholars Program

   William C. Parker Scholars' Academic Student Contract Requirements

   Freshmen: UK 101, Academic Progress Sessions, Focus Seminars, Study Groups
   Third Semester Freshmen and Sophomores: Academic Progress Sessions, Path Finder Activities
   Juniors: Academic Progress Sessions, SOAR Activities
   Seniors: Academic Progress Sessions, SOAR Activities

2. Student Support Services

Student Support Services (SSS) is a federally funded program through the Department of Education designed to work with college students that are first generation, low income, and/or have a documented disability. Services include academic preparedness (study skills, test taking, and writing assistance), counseling (academic, limited personal, financial aid, literacy, career, and graduate school), tutoring, computer assistance, workshops on various topics, and social/cultural enrichment. The University of Kentucky's SSS program is funded to serve 160 students until August 2016, however currently serving 173 students.

3. Office of Undergraduate Education


1. UK 101 — Academic Orientation and UK 201 — Academic Orientation for Transfers — offered in conjunction with the Division of Student Affairs

   The University of Kentucky provides over 90 sections of UK 101 - This course is designed to help new students transition to University life, build a strong foundation for academic success, and embrace opportunities that promote intellectual and personal growth. Many students from a variety of diverse backgrounds take this course in the first fall semester. The University also offers a number of UK 201 sections to help transfer students transition into the University of Kentucky.

2. Academic Alerts/Midterm Alerts

   Academic Alerts: Instructors submit alert notices for students who are manifesting difficulties in the classroom (e.g., poor or missing homework, lack of attendance, poor test/quiz grades, etc.). The student and academic advisor receive these alerts by email. The student talks with the instructor or advisor to devise a solution to the problem and improve performance.

   Midterm Alerts: Instructors submit midterm grades for each student. Academic advisors contact students whose midterms indicate inadequate performance and discuss options to help the student perform better in the course(s) of concern.

3. Academic Readiness Program/Academic Preparation Program

   Academic Readiness Program (ARP): Incoming freshmen who enter UK with certain academic deficiencies in reading, writing, and/or math as defined by ACT scores are enrolled in supplementary or developmental instruction to address these deficiencies. Once this instruction is complete, opportunities are offered to test into credit-bearing courses in the subject area. Success is indicated by demonstration of college-level skills in the relevant area(s).

   Academic Preparation Program (APP): This "next-generation" replacement for ARP will be offered in Fall 2011 to students at all levels who wish to improve their skills in reading, writing, and/or math. APP provides structured access to a full spectrum of individualized, self-paced academic instruction and support resources that students can use from their freshman year through graduation.

4. Rebound/Restart

   Rebound: Students on academic probation complete Rebound, a series of directed meetings with their academic advisor, during the probationary semester. Rebound emphasizes goal-setting and targeted resource use to improve academic performance.

   Restart: Students eligible for suspension after their second semester are invited to participate in Restart, a three-semester contractual arrangement that provisionally extends their academic eligibility. Restart requires frequent advising meetings and intrusive use of intervention programming to address performance issues and restore students to good academic standing.

5. The First Scholars Program

   First Scholars Program at the University of Kentucky addresses the unique challenges of students who are the first in their families to attend college and supports the students as they obtain a degree through scholarships, technology, mentoring, and programming activities including: Academic Preparation Course for First Generation Students, Scholarly Learning Community for First Generation Students, and Focus Groups during K-Week.

6. The Robinson Scholars Program (RSP)

   First Generation College Students: RSP provides full scholarships to UK or KCTCS for first generation students selected into the program. RSP serves 29 eastern Kentucky counties. The service region includes many persistent poverty counties. The annual investment in scholarships is about $1 million. RSP works intensely with college freshmen to help develop good academic habits and explore academic and cultural enrichment opportunities at UK. All students develop career networks through community service.

   High School Program: Currently serves three cohorts of high school students (29 students per cohort) in the service region, sophomores through seniors. High school programs include a variety of college preparation, including academic and social. Students participate in leadership and academic workshops and summer camps.

   Robinson Leadership Pool: This is a new initiative of RSP. The pool will select 110 high school freshmen in the service region. Those selected will receive enrichment aimed at improving college academic skills, programming rich in STEM-related activities, and opportunities for networking through community service. Students in the pool will participate in activities for three years leading to selection of 29 Robinson Scholars. Those not selected for the scholarship will have developed strong high school resumes to improve their college going chances.

7. Jamal Mashburn Scholarship Program

   The Jamal Mashburn Scholarship Program allows the youth of Fayette County to obtain an opportunity early in their educational endeavors and creates an incentive for them to reach their goals. With the purpose of helping students achieve success, the scholarship not only provides financial support for prospective University of Kentucky students, it also offers access to mentoring services and a monitoring system that will assess the needs of each individual.

4. Division of Student Affairs
1. Counseling Center: Consultation and Psychological Services

   The Counseling Center offers a wide range of programs, many of which contribute directly to retention of University of Kentucky students.

   • Women of Color Support Group
   • Women of Color Graduate/Professional Student Support Group
   • International Student Workshops
   • Career exploration workshops with Freshman Summer Program students (CARES)
   • Diversity workshops for:
     • New Resident Advisors
     • Pharmacy students
     • Counseling Center practicum students
     • AMSTEMM mentors
   • Facilitate discussions during International Student Orientation
   • Stress management for:
     • Minority Association of Pre-Health Students
     • Black Graduate and Professional Students Association
     • Martin Luther King, Jr. Cultural Center students
   • Mentorship/leadership to establish a student chapter of the Association of Black Psychologists


2. Diversity Education and Inclusive Community Building Program

   The addition of this program area within the Office of Student Involvement (OSI) in cooperation with the Vice President for Institutional Diversity draws support of diverse student interests and responds to identified needs. Effective March 2009, a full professional staff advisor position was filled to lead in the development of a new Diversity Education and Inclusive Community Building program area within the Office of Student Involvement. This program is intended to draw in and integrate minority students more seamlessly into co-curricular programs and engage students in active student leadership roles into topics of diversity education and inclusivity. This included identifying a group of students from various underrepresented student groups to form CATalyst with students dedicated to identifying issues around inclusivity and representing these issues through participation in discussions with University administrators, creating programs to promote understanding across differences and developing a peer educator program.

   The University is seeing increased numbers of minority students overall participate through the OSI programs, including the Emerging Leader Institute and Leadership Summit; participation in the Center for Community Outreach; and engagement in the planning and leading of major campus events which reflect more diverse interests.

3. Residence Life

   Residence Life supports all students (including high achieving minority students) through collaboration with The Study, academic check points, the diversity/inclusion programming that Resident Advisors offer, and through support of the Multicultural Living Learning Science Cohort.

   Residence Life has created departmental goals and metrics that speak to improvements in service and outreach to minority students and minority student staff and makes a concerted effort to reach out to minority students during the selection process for Residence Advisors and Graduate Hall Directors.

4. Disability Resource Center

   The Disability Resource Center (DRC) provides equal access to all students with disabilities. The DRC advocates for reasonable accommodations, removal of barriers, and acceptance of different learning methods. In partnership with students, faculty, and staff, DRC strives to achieve an accessible educational environment where students with disabilities have an opportunity to fully participate in all aspects of the University of Kentucky community. Students with documented physical, learning, or temporary disabilities may receive assistance and support from the Disability Resource Center. Campus services available to disabled students include transportation, parking, housing, assistive technology, priority registration, academic accommodations, and additional services.

5. Black Male Success Initiative

A steering committee comprised of Black male faculty, staff, and students direct the development of this initiative. Forums bring Black male students together with Black male faculty and staff to talk about strategies for being successful at UK. The intention is to have the Black Male Success Initiative provide a broad base of support for Black male students that will result in increased retention rates and greater academic achievement. The initiative is in the early stages of development.

UK Black Male Success Initiative Program Goals:

• Increase retention and academic achievement among Black males.
• Improve perception among Black male students of UK as a welcoming and supportive place.
• Create opportunities for Black male faculty/staff/community leaders to connect with Black male students, serve as mentors, and share strategies for success.
• Provide strong leadership on the challenges facing Black men as part of the University's larger retention efforts.
• Collaborate with schools and community based organizations to strengthen the school-to-college pipeline enabling more Black male students to attend UK.
• Increase admission and graduation rates among Black males.
• Involve experts in the implementation of recommendations.

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Last Modified: July 1, 2011
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An Equal Opportunity University