Academic SuccessPowerStart 2007

Southern Adventist University

August 27, 2007

Introduction

• Robert Young, Ph.D.– Senior Vice President for Academic

Administration– 423-236-2804– ryoung@southern.edu

• Volker Henning, Ph.D.– Associate Vice President for Academic

Administration– 423-236-2912– henning@southern.edu

What Is Important?

Leadership(Home, Local Church, Local School Board, Community, World)Percentage of adults over 25 in USA who hold a 4-year college degree = +/-

20%

↑Gen Education + Major(s) + Minor(s)

↕Service Learning → Civic Engagement

How Do You get there?

• Complete University Requirements– General Education 50 hours– Major 30-60 hours– Minor 18 hours

• TOTAL Required 124 hours

• Achieve Grade Requirements– Minimum 2.0 overall

(straight “C’s”)– 2.25 – 2.75 in major

(“C+” to “B-”) (2007-08 Catalog)

Why Should I Care?

• SAU = 2500 undergraduates, 530 new• December 2006

– 154 students (104 freshmen) were eligible for dismissal • 67 on Academic Probation• 87 Academic dismissal

• May 2007– 118 students were eligible for dismissal

• 68 on Academic Probation• 50 Academic dismissal

You don’t want to be one of them!

Steps to Success

Designed to get you here:

1. Decide to be a scholar.

• Go to class.• Take notes• Spend time necessary to learn

2 hrs / hour of class• Learning to read well is cornerstone

of college success

2. Understand & follow institutional policies, procedures,

& deadlines• Adding & dropping classes• Class attendance policies• Registration procedures• Academic Integrity policies• Criteria for remaining in good

standing• Follow through on obligations

3. Remember that college is different than high school.

• Teachers expect more preparation for class and more work from students.

• Classes may have fewer tests.• Grading may be tougher.• You have more choices in subjects to

study.

4. Know where to find everything on campus & utilize all available

resources.• Library• Computer labs• Writing center• Learning Success Services• Your advisor’s office• Athletic facilities

5. Participate in at least one service organization.

• Campus Ministries• Student missionary/Taskforce• Short-term Mission Trips• Organizational Showcase (August 29, 4:30

p.m.)• Community Service Day (Aug. 29 & Jan. 21)• Worship Services

– Collegedale campus church – SMC Church– The Third

6. Respect others – be civil.

• Live in harmony with each other.– (Romans 12:16)

• Take a real interest in other people. – (Romans 12:16)

• Don’t pay back a bad turn by a bad turn, to anyone. – (Romans 12: 17)

7. Maintain your roots and develop relationships.

• Call home• Visit home when you can• Get to know at least one faculty

member well• Make friends with people from a

variety of backgrounds.

8. Live life in balance – learn to manage your time.

• Study• Participate in clubs, organizations,

and service activities.• Maintain your spirituality (2 Timothy

3:14, 15)• Avoid sexual immorality (Romans

13:13)• Take care of your health – sleep, eat,

and exercise.• Spend time with your friends.

Closing Challenge

If Andrew Engel can graduate so can you!

Commencement May 2007

Have a Successful School Year