Student Success at the University of Arkansas
Student success uark is more than one office; it’s the university’s commitment to all students. It includes a wide range of resources, from tutoring and supplemental instruction to courses that teach students about college.
It also houses summer bridge programs for incoming freshmen, predictive analytics-based academic, financial and personal advising, and student employee opportunities that help students navigate the campus.
Academic Support Services
The University of Arkansas is committed to providing every student the support they need. Offices across campus advance this commitment through programs and resources to ensure students have access to the academic, social, physical and financial support they need to achieve success in college.
The Student Success Center is the embodiment of this commitment, offering tutoring, supplemental instruction, online chat and courses that teach students about college to help them succeed in their coursework. Students can also access peer academic coaches and a writing and communication studio.
UA also supports the social and emotional well-being of its students by providing counseling services, financial assistance, cultural celebrations, intersectional events, community outreach and partnerships that promote diversity education and social justice. It also provides veterans and their families with one-on-one support with admissions, applying for military educational benefits and scholarships and referrals to organizations specializing in veteran services. This year, UA set new records for first-year retention and graduation rates.
Off-Campus Student Success
Students in our 360 Program receive a full-circle approach to student success, with academic, social, and financial support. Students can choose to participate in either the on-campus or off-campus residential version of the program.
Research shows that first-generation college students often experience a range of barriers to academic achievement and collegiate persistence. They typically have lower high school GPAs and SAT/ACT scores, receive insufficient advising, and enroll in more remedial coursework as undergraduates. Moreover, they are less likely to seek campus resources and may have higher levels of food insecurity than their continuing-generation peers.
To address these challenges, ACC and its community colleges (Arkansas Northeastern College, Northwest Arkansas Community College, Southeast Arkansas College, and University of Arkansas Hope-Texarkana) are leveraging the ECMC Foundation’s Basic Needs Initiative to implement a model that informs and enrolls students in SNAP benefits through on-campus food pantries and other student services. An extensive third-party evaluation will measure SNAP uptake and the program’s impact on student progression and completion.
Student Organizations
Students have an opportunity to meet other people with similar interests, develop their leadership and team building skills and learn about how a university operates through involvement in Registered Student Organizations (RSOs). RSOs are groups of students that form based on their common interest. They are not extensions of University departments but they do operate under University policies and may use the University name, spirit symbols and trademarks with prior approval. They are also eligible to apply for and expend University funds distributed through Associated Student Government, reserve meeting space and participate in University programs.
UA Cossatot has dozens of different clubs and organizations for all types of interest. Some of the popular student organizations include:
Student Engagement
As a whole, we offer a wide range of student engagement opportunities and experiences that foster an enhanced collegiate experience for students. This includes everything from student clubs, leadership programs, and study abroad experiences to counseling and academic support. Our commitment to student engagement is rooted in an ethic of care and an understanding that a college education yields significant, lifelong, and generational returns on investment for our students, families, communities, and the state.
Students with a cumulative USC GPA below 2.0 will be placed in the Student Success Program, which requires them to meet with an academic review counselor at least once per semester. The constructive relationship with a counselor helps these students discover intrinsic motivation and develop a plan for academic success based on their individual learning style.