CENTER FOR STUDENT EXCELLENCE
Dorothy Burton Nelson, Director
The mission of the Center for Student Excellence is to work in partnership with the
university academic departments and campus community to assist students in becoming
active, responsible, and successful learners. The center is committed to creating
an environment which fosters student development and retention.
To fulfill this mission, the Center for Student Excellence provides specific programming
and resources that encourage students to develop the skills and strategies that enhance
academic achievement and personal and professional growth. Resources include career
exploration and academic planning for students who need information for making life-impacting
decisions. For students who experience academic challenges, counselor-led academic
accountability groups or individual meetings with their assigned CSE advisor are offered
to help them formulate effective study plans for achieving their academic goals. In
addition to providing academic support for the general student population, the Center
for Student Excellence provides specific services and resources for student-athletes
and for students residing in campus housing.
Academic advisors are assigned to assist all incoming freshmen (new and transfer students
with less than 30 hours). Students are advised in the center until they complete two
full semesters or 30 hours, whichever comes first. The center also coordinates the
delivery of Southeastern (SE) 101, the university's required academic success course
for beginning freshmen.
Learning Assistance programs are offered on the main campus to all Southeastern students
and include tutoring, Supplemental Instruction (SI), and topic-specific workshops
and seminars. Qualified peer tutors provide one-on-one and small group tutoring with
emphasis placed on the student's responsibility to actively engage in the learning
process. SI targets historically difficult courses and guides students in developing
course-specific critical thinking skills.
