Academic Enrichment Services

The mission Academic Enrichment Services (AES) is to provide holistic academic services and support to engage and enhance the student experience. The services and support provided by AES, which include tutoring and supplemental instruction, the Writing Studio, UNIV 1100 (First-Year Seminar), the Undergraduate Teaching Fellows program and the Sophomore Success Initiative, provide a variety of support to engage first- and second-year students specifically, as well as services that follow students throughout their entire matriculation at the university. AES ensures that students have ready access to these services to support their successful transition, persistence and matriculation at NCCU.

The Sophomore Success Initiative was established to develop and implement intentional programming to meet the universal academic and social needs of sophomores.  The goal is to increase retention rates, support students' persistence and enhance their holistic experience. In collaboration with various campus partners, the programming includes a welcome back event, SophoMORE Week in both the fall and the spring semester and a SophoMORE Success Series throughout the academic year. University College is committed to supporting students as they achieve MORE (Meaningful Opportunities for Redefined Success).

The First-Year Seminar (UNIV 1100) is taught in the University College and is required of all students except those who are age 24 or older or transfer students with sophomore status (30 credits or more). This two-credit course is designed primarily to help new students successfully transition to North Carolina Central University. It introduces students to college life and helps them develop the skills necessary for their success. The course promotes scholastic attainment, the value of education, self-actualization, involvement in the campus and the local community and leadership skill development, with a focus on the mastery of study skills, writing skills, critical thinking, health and related issues. UNIV 1101 is specifically designed for Early College High Students and is taught only during the Spring semester.

The Undergraduate Teaching Fellows (UTF) program is our premier leadership development program for upper-class students.  Our UTFs have a critical role in supporting the transition and holistic development of our first-year students. The UTFs serve in a dual capacity as teaching assistants in the UNIV 1100-First Year Seminar course and mentors to the enrolled students. The UTFs will support instruction and provide mentoring, intentional engagement and support of the students assigned to them under the guidance of their UNIV 1100 instructor. They will support and mentor their assigned students during their first year at NCCU.

UTF Learning Outcomes:
The UTFs will gain:

• An understanding of the structure and staging of the course through their work with the instructor
• The ability to explain concepts, skills or techniques to others on a one-on-one basis via presentations or facilitate classroom discussion
• The knowledge to create and deliver course assignments that forward the learning goals of the class in consultation with the instructor
• The ability to deliver critical responses to work in a supportive manner
• The ability to understand the assessment of individual students' work
• The ability to deliver technical/skills support for students enrolled in the courses on a one-on-one basis via demonstrations

The requirements to be considered for a UTF are outlined below:

1. Must have earned an A or a B in the UNIV 1100 course
2. Must have a minimum 2.7 GPA
3. Must not have a judicial case with the Dean of Students. This experience includes earning community service hours as well as credit for a certified internship program with the Office of Career and Professional Development. Applications for each academic year are available each March.

The Tackling Academic Learning Opportunities for New Scholars (TALONS) series is designed to equip students enrolled at NCCU with the knowledge, skills and tools to successfully navigate their collegiate experience and ensure that they are ready to be competitive in a global society.  Session topics are chosen based upon the feedback received from student surveys and sessions held during their summer orientation and from observations made through interactions with the students.  For the students’ convenience, sessions are offered during the 10:40 a.m. break and at 7 p.m. on Tuesdays and Thursdays. 

The mission of the Office of Tutoring and Supplemental Instruction is to provide student-led academic enrichment and support for students enrolled in courses at NCCU. Through extensive preparation for academic support, professional development, hands-on practice, organization of tutoring sessions with classroom students, supplemental instruction academic skill-building, and targeted programming, the Office at NCCU values the utilization of student leaders to help their peers and colleagues improve their academic experiences as students at North Carolina Central University.

Our Services

Tutors conduct one-on-one and occasional small-group sessions.  They center their sessions around students' academic needs in the course. Supplemental instruction leaders design sessions for a specific course based on course material and progress in the lecture.  Their sessions are available to anyone enrolled in the course but cater to more general academic needs. Our office also conducts workshops and programs centered on building academic skills and seeking academic assistance.

1. Go as soon as possible.

If there is a concept that you don’t understand in class, go ahead and schedule a tutoring appointment or attend an SI session!  It is better to get a good grasp on concepts immediately than to try shortly before a quiz or test.

2. Know your learning style.

Did you know everyone has a style of learning that makes learning more efficient?  Here are some learning styles and suggestions for how to maximize learning:

• Visual: prefers pictures, images and spatial understanding

• Aural: prefers sound and music

• Verbal or Reading and Writing: prefers using words, both in speech and in writing

• Kinesthetic or Physical: prefers using body, hands and sense of touch

• Logical: prefers using logic, reasoning and systems

• Social: prefers to learn in groups or with other people

• Solitary: Prefers to work alone and use self-study

3. Have a set of questions prepared before you attend your session.

Make sure you can articulate what concepts you need assistance with, questions you have about particular problems and any academic issues you need to work through.  You can also bring a set of practice problems with you that your tutor will guide you through or your SI leader can cover!

4. Be prepared to talk through the material.

Tutors and SI leaders will “check for understanding” to ensure you can master the material.  You may have to explain concepts back to them or work through a problem on your own so they can ensure you understand.  One way to ensure that you understand a concept is if you can explain it to someone else!

5. Attend class regularly.

Remember that tutors and SI leaders are there to supplement the material you learn in class.  The foundation of the concepts you need to know and understand will come from attending class.

6. Get adequate amounts of rest, exercise and healthy eating.

When you are your most healthy self, learning is optimized!

7. Remember:  Tutors and SI leaders cannot do your work for you, translate your work or check your assigned work for accuracy.

If you need assistance with a test or quiz, the academic support leaders can work on similar practice problems with you to ensure you can complete those assignments to the best of your ability!

8. Schedule another appointment!  Attend another session!

Sometimes you need another appointment to ensure you fully understand a concept — and that’s perfect!  If you need additional practice or assurance, schedule another appointment!  You can never be too prepared!