The Student Success Training Program
“The fact that the Student Success training was held on the campus of Johnson County Community College helped me in seeing myself as a college student. I was nervous about returning to college, but I began to feel more at ease about being on campus and attending classes. The acts of being on time for the workshop and having my assignments ready also helped me to see myself as a student.”
-Student Success Graduate
Goals and Objectives Student Success Replication Curricula and Topics Application Classes Research Downloads
About Student Success
The Student Success Training program was developed to prepare people with psychiatric disabilities for pursuing post-secondary education or vocational/technical training. Feedback from the Consumers as Providers program and various Kansas Community Mental Health Centers indicated the need for a preparatory class to teach the academic skills needed to be successful in post-secondary pursuits. The Student Success Training includes 16 weeks of classroom instruction and Educational Support Group activities. Students meet once a week for 2 hours for class. Classes are held in a college setting to increase student familiarity with campus. Students do not receive college credit for completion of the training; they are not officially enrolled at the host college and are not responsible to pay tuition. Additionally, students meet once a week for two hours to attend an Educational Support Group, which is facilitated by staff from the local mental health center. The support group provides an avenue for students to discuss any academic problems or concerns they have and to gain peer support.
Purpose of Student Success
Education:
§ To provide learning opportunities and college preparatory instruction for individuals with psychiatric disabilities to prepare for their return to post-secondary education or training
Community Connections and Partnerships:
§ To provide a comfortable forum for students, through which they may establish connections and familiarity with educational staff and campus, prior to their “official” return to post-secondary education/training.
§ To facilitate the provision of more educational opportunities for people with psychiatric illness, by establishing and supporting active partnerships between community stakeholders, including; Mental Health Centers, local Educational Institutions, and Consumer Run Organizations.
Recovery:
§ To enhance the journey of growth and recovery for individuals with mental illness, through living and learning in the community. “Knowledge is Empowerment!”
"Looking back, it doesn't seem like I have been too fortunate in my life, but with Student Success, things began to change. Things just started to fall into place in my life after Student Success. I certainly never would have entertained the idea of going for a college degree without it (Student Success). I will always be grateful for the doors it has opened for me and the opportunities it has given me. I look forward to continuing my education at Washburn University and earning a Bachelors of Fine Arts degree."
~Student Success Graduate~
Student Success Goals and Objectives
1. Become familiar with stress management techniques
2. Develop time management and organizational skills
3. Increase knowledge of listening skills, learning styles, and paraphrasing
4. Explore career interest/education goals
5. Identify practical strategies for test taking and studying
6. Develop techniques for taking notes from a lecture
7. Develop techniques for taking notes from reading/ highlighting
8. Become familiar with computer basics and surfing the web
9. Become familiar with writing papers
10. Become familiar with the college campus, resources, and policies
Partnership efforts are underway to explore means for incorporating Student Success Training within local systems. As a result a pilot replication project is being developed to replicate the Student Success training within mental health centers and to promote similar supported education initiatives.
This replication requires a strong commitment from Mental Health Centers, Post Secondary education sites (Universities and community colleges) and Consumer Run Organizations. A set of guidelines were completed and included in the sub-contract to help define participant expectations. These include:
· Mental Health Centers will partner with local colleges and universities to teach Student Success classes in post-secondary academic settings. They will also provide facilitation for the Educational Support Group that accompanies the classroom experience.
· The Student Success Training Program, as a vision and an effective best practice, will include consumers as trainers/instructors, and group leaders. It will continue to remain, primarily, a supported academic endeavor with classes taught on a college campus.
We are currently working on several critical tasks to accomplish replication efforts in local communities. These include a revision of the Student Success training manual, a Student Success Instructor’s Guide, and an Educational Support Group Facilitator’s manual. Both manuals will be a tool for the Student Success Trainer and Educational Support Group Facilitator to use in order to successfully teach the class and facilitate the ESG. The Student Success Trainer's Manual includes goals, agendas, needed supplies and valuable teaching tips for each class session. The ESG Facilitator's manual guides the ESG Facilitator with helpful hints and exercises when facilitating the ESG.
Interested mental health centers or individuals interested in learning more about the training may contact Susan Kobzar, Student Success Program Coordinator at susank@ku.edu or at 1-877-458-6804, ext. 103
Student Success Curricula and Topics
Student Success Training Outline
Admission Process Financial Aid College Tour Accommodations Stress Management Time Management Organization Skills Effective Listening Learning Styles Note Taking Computer Skills (Basic, Internet) Reading Skills Writing Skills Test Taking Skills Career Planning Career Exploration
Application Process To be considered for the Student Success Workshop, applicants must be 18 years or older, have a high school diploma or GED, and have an SPMI diagnosis. Interested students must submit an application and then go through an interview process to be accepted into the class.
Current Classes
A replication class in Topeka, KS in partnership with Valeo Behavioral Health Care was completed in May 2007.
Next Classes
A Replication Class in Independence, KS will begin August 2007 in partnership with Four County Mental Health. Applications are being accepted for the Fall 2007 class. For information contact: Eric Valle at evalle@fourcounty.com or Susan Kobzar at susank@ku.edu .
Mail or Fax Applications to: Student Success
Attn: Susan Kobzar
2706 Iowa, Suite C
Lawrence, KS, 66046
785-856-2884 (fax)
Research A two year longitudinal research project will continue, exploring outcomes of Student Success students. Currently this research includes pre and post Hope and Self Esteem scales, and 6 month and 1 year vocational and educational demographics surveys. A 2 year vocational/educational demographic survey is also in development.
Downloads
Student Success Training
Outline
Contact Us: © 2003 The University of Kansas, School of Social Welfare