The Centers for Student Success

X6746 Unistructure Room 275

Bryant’s Centers for Student Success are dedicated to helping students achieve their goal of academic success. The mission of the Center for Student Success is to help students become self-reliant, independent, confident learners so they may successfully meet the demands of their chosen academic curricula. This is achieved through a variety of services and programs to support students’ academic progress and find what learning and study strategies work best for them.

The Academic Center for Excellence offers an internationally accredited peer tutoring program and study skills instruction by our professional staff. Students can meet with individual tutors for academic support in all Bryant subject areas. Group sessions as a mode of instruction are are also encouraged, since teamwork is typical in the workplace and graduate school. The staff engages in a partnership with students to help them achieve their goals. Professional staff members and peer tutors work together to foster a supportive learning environment.

Effective written communication is essential throughout an individual’s education and career. The Writing Center offers students assistance in both personalized and workshop settings. Peer writing consultants and professional staff help students with papers for any course. The Writing Center’s purpose is to help students develop as writers by helping them recognize their writing strengths and challenges. The staff teaches writing as a process, and is prepared to assist students at any stage.

Bryant University supports students who self-identify with disabilities and provide documentation of their disability from an appropriate source. Bryant University professional staff members serve as advocates for students with disabilities, and assist them in achieving equal access to all University programs and services. Our services are provided by three departments to ensure assistance from the most qualified professional. Therefore, if students have disabilities that may require support, it is incumbent upon the student to contact the designated office.

Learning Disabilities, Attention Deficit Disorders, and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Students seeking support and/or academic accommodations may contact Dr. Marie Saddlemire, Assistant Director of ACE, in Access Services. Prospective, accepted, or current students may schedule a meeting by calling ACE at 401-232-6746.

Physical Disabilities. Students seeking support and/or accommodations may contact John Denio in the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs by calling 401-232-6046. Individuals with permanent or temporary physical disabilities who wish to obtain handicapped parking passes should contact the Department of Public Safety 401-232-6001.

Psychiatric or Psychological Disabilities. Students seeking support and/or accommodations may contact Dr. Noelle Harris, Director of Counseling Services, at 401-232-6045.

The Academic Center for Excellence and the Writing Center offer specialized services for international students and English language learners to help them increase their academic confidence and improve their performance as Bryant students.

Services include assistance with adjusting to academic life at Bryant and in the United States; taking advantage of ACE and Writing Center academic support services; navigating the variety of support services available to international students on campus; developing study skills for college success; improving written and oral language skills; and setting goals for academic improvement.

The Academic Center for Excellence, in partnership with the Department of Athletics and Undergraduate Advising, provides tailored assistance for the unique needs of student-athletes. Students in our Division I athletic programs have challenging schedules and often need additional help finding a balance between the Student Services demands of athletics and academics. ACE provides these students support with general study skills, time management and overall organization.

In Goal-Based Study Hall, student-athletes may also work with student-athlete peer tutors and writing consultants.

Both ACE and The Writing Center offer workshops for students throughout the semester, and the Centers for Student Success partner with other departments across the University to provide Gateway Sessions open to all students.

Informational Class Visits – A member of the Centers for Student Success staff can visit your class to talk with your students about how to get the most out of our programs, particularly ACE and The Writing Center. Students will learn about all of the services available that can help them succeed in your class. Students will learn what transpires during an average one-on-one tutoring session as well as how to benefit most from the many programs and services available. Of course, students will have an opportunity to ask questions.

Centers for Student Success Tours (or ACE 101) – Classes or individual students can take 10-15 minute tours of the Centers for Student Success. One benefit of such a tour is that students see first-hand where they can go to get help with their academics. They also learn how to make appointments and what to expect when they work with our staff. Students who have had a tour are more likely to utilize our services than those who have not.

Customized Workshops – Faculty can have a member of our staff conduct a workshop during a class meeting or in our facility, tailored to suit the needs of the students in your class. Workshops can cover topics such as how to organize a study group, time management, developing test taking skills, or on particular aspects of the writing process or forms of writing.

Attendance Reports – If you would like, we can provide you with a bi-weekly list of students from your classes who have used ACE and the Writing Center.

Linking to the ACE or Writing Center Web Site – A link from your Canvas site to the ACE and/or Writing Center web site(s) would help students associate the services we provide with your course and discipline. They would be a click away from information about our location, hours, staff, philosophy, workshops, and monthly newsletter. The address is: https://info.bryant.edu/academic-center-excellence-ace.

Visiting a Tutor or Writing Consultant Training Meeting – Tutors and Writing Consultants meet regularly to discuss tutoring strategies, departmental policies and procedures, and other related topics. Faculty occasionally volunteer to visit one of these meetings for fifteen minutes or so and discuss a particular problem their students are having or their expectations for a particular assignment or course.