The university is committed to the academic growth and development of all students. In order to ensure these goals are met, the university established the Department for Academic Enrichment which incorporates student and faculty development, academic advisement, and academic support for students. There are seven program units within the Department for Academic Enrichment:
Center for Academic Enrichment
118 Ralston Hall
393-2249
hearst@clarion.edu
Website
The Center for Academic Enrichment provides services to students who may encounter some form of difficulty with their courses and/or need instruction in basic skills development. The Center for Academic Enrichment has two components, the Tutoring Center and the Learning Skills Lab. The two components offer students a comprehensive approach to the development of skills necessary at the collegiate level to ensure academic success. All services are free of charge. Services are available by either appointment and/or by walk-in.
Content tutoring is offered for most lower-level subject areas providing students with the understanding of basic concepts, ideas, and mechanical processes. Tutoring sessions give students the opportunity to secure in-depth clarification and to identify and apply specific reading and study skills required in their academic programs. Most tutoring sessions are one-to-one or small group instruction.
Learning skills instruction provides students with instruction in basic skill development to become independent learners. The Learning Skills Lab staff instructs students in practical study techniques. Students' reading and study skills are diagnosed to identify individual strengths and weaknesses. Once skill areas are diagnosed, a planned program of instruction is implemented using a variety of instructional aids as well as one-to-one instruction. Students can receive academic assistance in the following areas: time management, note taking, reading comprehension, test taking, vocabulary development, critical thinking skills, and library research.
Disability Support Services
Jennifer May, M.S., director
102 Ralston Hall
393-2095
jmay@clarion.edu
Website
The Office of Disability Support Services (DSS) functions as the university's primary vehicle for assisting students with documented disabilities. Students must initiate the process of receiving accommodations by contacting the coordinator of Disability Support Services, located in 102 Ralston Hall to discuss their need for disability related services. Also, as part of the university's registration process, students are provided with a confidential questionnaire that enables them to notify the university of possible accommodations and services that are related to a disabling condition. In addition, students must contact the Office of DSS to submit proper documentation and discuss requested accommodations. Students should contact the DSS office far enough in advance to allow sufficient time to coordinate accommodations.
Information on services for students with disabilities may be obtained by contacting the coordinator of Disability Support Services, 102 Ralston Hall, 814-393-2095. Additional information can also be found in the section, "Nondiscrimination on Basis of Disability".
Inquiries regarding services and facilities accessibility may also be obtained by contacting the Assistant to the President for Social Equity, 207 Carrier Hall, 814-393-2109.
Golden Eagle Pre-College Program
Regina Jack, coordinator
132 Ralston Hall
393-1875
rjack@clarion.edu
Website
The Golden Eagle Pre-College Program demonstrates our commitment and obligation to students who have potential for college success, but who would benefit from a learning experience before enrollment in the fall semester. The primary objective of this program is to provide students the opportunity to use learning, living and social skills developed through interactive and cooperative experiences, which ease the transition from high school to college. More information is available at their Website.
Educational Opportunities Program-Act 101
Joseph Croskey, director
114 Ralston Hall
393-1878
jcroskey@clarion.edu
Website
Educational Opportunities Program/Act 101 increases students' academic skills, abilities, and motivation. Most students enroll through a six-week summer experience. They may earn up to six academic credits. Students participate in an extensive orientation to university life, explore career options, and develop leadership potential. During the academic year, regularly admitted students are selected for the program. Faculty may recommend students for participation, if space is available. Support services offered include academic advising, financial aid counseling, individual analysis of study habits, content tutoring, and assistance in career planning and decision making. The program also sponsors extracurricular activities intended to enrich the student's total experience. All students accepted into this program must meet eligibility requirements as established by the institution and the Pennsylvania Department of Education.
Educational Talent Search Program
Rhonda J. McMillen-Toth, M.S., director
219 Ralston Hall
393-2071
rmcmillen@clarion.edu
Website
As part of Clarion University's mission to serve community residents, Educational Talent Search (ETS) serves 900 participants annually in Clarion, Jefferson, and Venango counties. Talent Search assists people age 11-27 to complete secondary education programs and enroll or re-enroll in postsecondary education.
ETS provides such services as study skill instruction, campus visits, entrance exam preparation, post-secondary and career planning, financial aid information, cultural enrichment programs, and leadership training. Participants are selected based upon eligibility criteria established by the U.S. Department of Education, the program's funding agent.
TRIO Student Support Services Program
Shelly Silvis, M.Ed., director
104 Ralston Hall
393-2347
ssilvis@clarion.edu
Website
Students admitted to the TRIO Student Support Services Program are provided with developmental services which may include learning skills assistance, academic advising, and career and financial aid counseling. During the academic year, workshops and on-going services which focus on academic survival and learning-to-learn activities are offered. A reserved section of AE 100: Reading/Study Skills, is also offered to program students. Students accepted into the program must meet eligibility requirements established by the institution and the U.S. Department of Education.
TRIO Upward Bound Program
Michele M. Lagnese, M.A., project director
107 Ralston Hall
393-2342
mlagnese@clarion.edu
Website
As part of the university's commitment to community service, the TRIO Upward Bound Program is designed to enhance the academic skills and motivation of selected area high school students which are necessary for success in college. The program operates in two segments-the academic year component and the summer residential component. Support services such as tutoring, career exploration and guidance counseling are provided year-round. The six-week summer program offers participants an opportunity to experience college life while residing on campus. Students receive intensive academic instruction, exposure to a variety of cultural and social activities, and opportunities to visit other college campuses. Participants are chosen based on eligibility criteria as established by the program in accordance with the U.S. Department of Education.
Extended Programs
Arthur J. Acton, Ph.D., assistant vice president for academic affairs
130 Harvey Hall
393-2774
aacton@clarion.edu
The Office of Extended Programs coordinates all non-credit programming and most off-campus credit programming as detailed below:
Lynne M. Lander Fleisher, assistant director
131 Harvey Hall
393-2778
lfleisher@clarion.edu
Website
Clarion University combines its academic tradition of excellence with online educational technology to provide programs that are—ACCREDITED. ACCESSIBLE. ANYWHERE. The virtual campus includes online classes and programs. Information on availability of specific degrees online is indicated under each of the degree program areas. A list of current course offerings and online undergraduate programs is available here.
The Center for Teaching Excellence
William J. Williams, Ed.D., director
113 Stevens Hall
393-2776
wwilliams@clarion.edu
The Center for Teaching Excellence (CTE) mission is to provide specific professional development training to schools and teachers and offer college experiences for current high school students. CTE administers the Dual Enrollment Program, serving students from high schools throughout western Pennsylvania.
The center provides the planning, development, marketing, and administration of the off-campus Master in Education in Curriculum and Instruction degree serving graduate students across the Commonwealth. The center provides record keeping and implementation of the approval process for all university Act 48 activities, both on and off campus, as well as development and marketing of all Department of Education summer workshops and course offerings and Paraprofessional Workshops.
CTE directs assistancre to community organizations, such as Keystone SMILES and the Clarion County Literacy Council, along with all monies from the America Reads program. CTE also supports and administers the Superintendent's Roundtable and EC-12 Council, along with various projects undertaken by the Department of Education and its faculty.
Health Science Education Center
Nancy Falvo, Ph.D., director
330 Main Street, Clarion, PA 16214
814-227-1901
nfalvo1@clarion.edu
The Health Science Education Center's mission is to promote healthy life-styles through interactive educational programs for individuals of all ages. Opened in May 2002, the center provides health education programs for school-aged children living within a 40-mile radius of Clarion. The programs complement the current health and science education standards. All programs offered through HSEC are delivered free of charge to school districts and community members.
Clarion University—Pittsburgh Site
The Clarion University—Pittsburgh Site is affiliated with and located in The Western Pennsylvania School of Nursing at 4900 Friendship Avenue in the Bloomfield section of Pittsburgh. The Pittsburgh Site offers 30 college-level credits in courses required in West Penn's School of Nursing two-year diploma program. While West Penn nursing students are working toward their diploma in nursing, they have an opportunity to concurrently earn an Associate of Science in Allied Health (ASAH) degree from Clarion University by completing their general education course work through Clarion University.
Continuing Education
Juanice F. Vega, M.B.A., director
210 Still Hall
393-2227
jvega@clarion.edu
Website
The focus of continuing education is to organize and make available to individuals and businesses instructional opportunities and workforce development funding. Educational programs of all types, presented in almost any format, are developed to meet the needs of a variety of audiences. Continuing Education works with numerous companies annually to coordinate and administer funding (WEDnet and CJT) for employee training.
Generally, continuing education activities fall into one of three program types: non-credit courses, open to the general public without regard to educational background; corporate/organizational training that is customized to meet client needs; and workshops, conferences, and seminars which provide a concentrated experience developed for a specific group.
Non-credit courses, as the name implies, do not carry academic credit, do not require admission to the university, and generally do not have examinations or grades. Reasons for pursuing non-credit courses could be for gaining job skills, personal or professional development, intellectual enrichment, or just plain fun.
Accelerated Program
Students who take three summer terms of 10 weeks each may finish the four-year course in three years.
