Office of
Early Student Success

learning at usm

The Office of Early Student Success (ESS) was created to support students during their transition into the college experience. This transitional time is one filled with both opportunities and challenges, often lasting three to four semesters.

Programs and Services
Introduction The Office of Early Student Success (ESS) was created as part of the University’s effort to create intentional, well-orchestrated programs and services for students transitioning into USM. ESS can serve as a “clearinghouse” of information, support resources, and referral for students, faculty, and staff. Many of the ESS initiatives during the first year have been based upon the research from Vincent Tinto regarding why students may not persist in college, including the following factors: Difficulty with transitioning from high school or another institution Narrow or unclear goals Family/other interpersonal issues Debt or insufficient finances Perceived lack of fit Loneliness/isolation
Considering Dropping or Withdrawing from a Class? Although there are many reasons why a student may choose to drop a course, outlined in this document are some of the many implications for you to consider in your decision to drop or not to drop. Click here to download the brochure.
Providing 1:1 “Coaching” Sessions Using a motivational interviewing approach, the staff at ESS provide “coaching” sessions for students on an individual basis. This entails assessing what each student may need in order to create a path for success early on in their USM experience, and providing guidance and support to make progress along that path. Some students attend only one session, often for referral or a “warm transfer” to another USM office; others work with ESS staff for multiple sessions, often with “homework” in between sessions that entail new strategies, connections, and reflections. For more information contact Janet Etzel jetzel@usm.maine.edu 780-4319 or Paul Dexter pdexter@usm.maine.edu 780-5577
Mentoring Program The mentoring program to be piloted in fall 2007 is based upon a well-established model from Texas State University. This involves faculty and staff (and potentially upper-class students as the program grows) formally becoming “mentors” to no more than one or two first-year students. The commitment of the mentor would entail an initial orientation and weekly contact with the mentee (via phone, email, and in person) for the duration of the mentee’s first year at USM). A Blackboard group will be created for both mentors and mentees, allowing for the posting of information as well as ongoing communication. Administrative functions of the program will be facilitated by the Office of Early Student Success. For more information contact Pamela Clay-Storm at 780-4788 or by email: claystorm@usm.maine.edu
Early Alert Pilot The Student Success Committee, as well as the MELMAC grant award, has paid particular attention to the frequency and quality of contact between faculty and their students. Indeed, the research on student persistence identifies this as one of the best predictors for student persistence and success. Therefore, the committee aimed at drafting a process that would raise up that interaction, but with support from other areas of the institution. The pilot will entail faculty submitting an electronic form at any point in the semester to share concerns about a student, which will result in tailored feedback of how to best support that student.
Podcast Development A “podcast” is an audio or video recording that is digitized, archived on a website, and made “downloadable” onto MP3 players, such as an IPod. Many of our students are currently “podcasting”, so ESS has developed the capacity to create podcasts to reach students through this medium. Once completed, podcasts will be marketed in numerous ways, with the intent of connecting as many as possible to the classroom experience. Some of the topics of podcasts that are currently in development include the following: A “Meet Your Major” series, in collaboration with Advising Services, CAS, and Environmental Science, Test anxiety, in collaboration with Learning Foundations Alcohol poisoning, with funding from the Maine Office of Substance Abuse An “Essays of Success” series, with students, faculty, staff, and alumni sharing how education has played a role in their personal success
Financial Literacy Outreach More and more students have been facing significant financial obstacles as they attempt to persist with making progress towards graduation. As a result, an unfortunately large percentage of these students cut back on their course load, take one or more semesters off, or leave USM entirely. To address this, ESS has coordinated financial literacy initiatives both small and large in scope. These have included bringing “Ultimate Money Skills” to campus, a program sponsored by Monster.com and Bank of America, as well as classroom experiences with representatives from the Financial Authority of Maine. This also has involved partnering with student organizations such as Students in Free Enterprise, and USM departments such as Financial Aid. ESS has recently developed a relationship with Consumer Credit Counseling Services, a non-profit agency in South Portland that will partner to offer programs and services at USM throughout the year.
Parent & Family Involvement Initiative The notion of encouraging parents and family members of our college students to “let go” no longer reflects the desire and profile of today’s college student. Recognizing that these natural supports can play an important role in the success of students at USM, our office has begun to facilitate cross-divisional discussions regarding USM’s overall philosophy of how we engage parents and family members. This began with participation in a “Webinar” entitled Planning Parent Services that Support Student Development, based upon the philosophy and model of the University of Minnesota. As a result of these conversations, a philosophy statement is in the development phase, along with a website and electronic newsletter specifically designed for parents and family members. The general intent is to provide these constituents with appropriate resources and opportunities to support their student, while at the same time encouraging them to allow the student to become their own advocate, more of an intentional learner, and to experience the outcomes of their own choices and behaviors, both positive and negative. ESS has created a webpage on behalf of the university for family members, which includes the capacity for a family member to submit an email if they have any questions or concerns of how to best support their student.
BASICS - Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students is a program to help students explore their alcohol and drug use in a non-judgmental environment. The goal of the program is to reduce risky behaviors and harmful consequences of alcohol use. BASICS is conducted one on one with an Early Student Success staff member. It involves two 50 minute sessions, typically two weeks apart. BASICS staff are trained in alcohol assessment and feedback, they are not licensed counselors. If a student requires a definite diagnosis or treatment for clinical issues, referrals will be made as appropriate. Session 1: In the first 50 minute appointment students will be oriented to the program, review reasons for attending, and be interviewed about their history of use with alcohol and other drugs. After the meeting the student will be asked to complete a questionnaire before leaving. This will take about 20 minutes. Session 2: During the second 50 minute appointment, students will receive a personalized feedback profile based on information they provided during the first session. A staff member will review the feedback with the student and if necessary outline possible harm reduction strategies that may lessen the risk of developing future problems and consequences as a result of high risk drinking. BASICS is based on research conducted at the University of Washington and was created by: Dimeff L., Baer J., Kivlahan D., and Marlatt G. For more information contact Lee Anne Dodge at ldodge@usm.maine.edu 780-5158
PRAC - Promoting Reduced-Risk Alcohol Choices PRAC is a campus-community coalition with representation from: students, staff, community members, and law enforcement officials from both the USM Police Department and the Gorham Police Department. PRAC meets monthly to collaborate and share information regarding alcohol and other substances and to help create a safe learning environment for the USM community. The primary reason for the attention on this issue is that high risk and/or underage drinking often leads to significant consequences. For more information contact: Lee Anne Dodge ldodge@usm.maine.edu 780-5158
Care/Gift Packages for Students from Parents/Families The Office of Early Student Success partners with On Campus Marketing to provide opportunities for parents/families to send various ‘care packages’ throughout the year. Typically, we send information to parents in the summer to choose from several Care Package options, offered at varying costs - “Welcome Packs”, “Halloween Packs”, and/or “Valentine Packs”. Parents are again contacted in late October/early November to order “Final Exam Kits”. There is also a spring “Final Exam Kit’ program offered. Participation in this program is entirely voluntary, and is extended to the families of Gorham resident students only. The Office of Early Success receives a percentage of the monies paid, which helps us with various programs offered to enrich the lives of students. For more information contact June Heggeman at june@usm.maine.edu 780-5470
Classroom Presentations The ESS staff is available to speak in classes about a variety of student life topics. Contact us to learn more about our classroom presentations and let us know how we can customize a program to meet your needs 780-5470.
USM 101 The Office of Early Student Success creates and facilitates a presentation that is part of new student orientation days. This presentation is facilitated by ESS staff as well as other USM staff and faculty. The interactive session introduces students to campus resources and showcases co-curricular activities by encouraging them to connect their outside activities to what they are learning inside the classroom.

Admission