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K-State Parents and Family Program

A message from VP for Student Life/Dean of Students Dr. Pat Bosco

Bosco Headshot NEW
Dr. Pat Bosco, VP for Student Life/Dean of Students

Earlier this month, I shared the following message with K-State faculty and staff regarding where to direct students for academic support and student success.  It’s important to me that parents receive these updates so you can provide the necessary support for your student.

Where to direct students for academic support and student success

By Pat Bosco

In preparation for midterm exams, it is important to keep in mind all of the opportunities and ways that a student can seek academic support and success. Many of these are at no cost and built around a student’s schedule. As part of the K-State family, it is important we continue to work together to connect our students and one another to services.

The tutoring center in Holtz Hall offers free scheduled and walk-in tutoring in a large variety of subjects. Please remind students, it is never too late to apply for scheduled tutoring or walk in to a session in Holtz Hall.

The Writing Center in the English/Counseling Services Building offers feedback at all stages of the writing process. The center helps students gain awareness of writing strategies; improve writing assignments or non-academic writing; and increases their confidence and ownership in writing. You can help them make an appointment.

The Academic Coaching Program supports students’ successes and academic goals by encouraging students to take advantage of professors’ office hours, which has a direct correlation to higher grades. Encourage students to start thinking like a top scholar by using these four easy guidelines for office visits:

  1. Find out when — Either posted on the syllabus, on a student’s canvas course page or simply asking in class.
  2. Know why — Students should want to establish a connection with the teacher and seek answers to help them in class.
  3. What to bring — Show up on time and with a pencil and paper.
  4. How to be — Be alert and prepared with a few topical questions related to the class and content discussed.

The Academic Assistance Center, which supports academic success and retention of students, can help schedule a free workshop for student groups or living communities to help with academic and life skills development. In addition, the center can provide a free academic coach by appointment. Aided by the center, supplemental instruction programs are helping more than 1,400 students collaborate in a peer-facilitated class environment to compare notes, discuss challenging concepts, share study and test-taking strategies and demonstrate learning.

K-State’s Counseling Center offers enrolled students up to four free individual sessions per fiscal year. One free consultation session also may be possible for those not currently registered at K-State but who are planning to attend soon or those needing information/referral to resources in the local community. Urge students to take advantage of this opportunity by making an appointment online or in person.

As you can see, support is all around the university. Let’s work together to ensure success.