SUCCESS
Academic Support and Mentoring Semesterly Newsletter | Volume 3 Issue 3 | March 2022
About ASM
UMKC’s department of Academic Support and Mentoring (ASM) offers a wide range of services and programs to help students meet their academic goals. Services available through ASM include the Writing Studio, Supplemental Instruction, Tutoring, and Roo Up Seminars. ASM also provides programming and resources for Summer Bridge Scholars, Jumpstart KC, and Trustees' Scholars.
ASM’s mission is to provide innovative support services and resources to ensure educational access and personal success for every student. Our vision is that every UMKC student persists and graduates with the personal and professional skills to achieve their vision of success. Learn more about ASM on our website at umkc.edu/asm.
Contact Us
ASM Director
Jessica Brooks (Elam)
ASM Associate Director, First Gen Roo
Megan Elsen
Supplemental Instruction
Heather Miller
UMKC Tutoring
Laura Morman
Writing Studio
Thomas Ferrel
Summer Bridge Scholars
Laura Casey
Jumpstart KC
Silvina Munita
Department Updates & Highlights
ASM Spring 2022 Midterm Participation Numbers
March Into ASM
Students that participate in ASM services not only report doing better in their courses, but have also found a community on campus, like this student shared in her testimonial. To encourage more students to take part in these community and grade-building support services, ASM is introducing a new giveaway, March into ASM! Additionally, research has shown that Gen Z students appreciate the opportunity to make a difference and have an impact. Therefore, during this giveaway, when any ROO utilizes an ASM service (Writing Studio, Tutoring, SI Session, AND PASS session) they will be given the opportunity to provide ASM with developing feedback to enhance our support services. With that feedback comes a chance to win $250 in bookstore cash.
ASM Student Employee Spotlight: Jessie Thompson
"I’ve had the pleasure of working for ASM as a teaching assistant of UNIV 100 for the spring 2022 semester at UMKC. Even though I’m a graduate student of social work and have a practicum with another agency, I felt it was imperative for me to strengthen my public speaking and leadership skills. Fortunately, ASM provided me with the opportunity to do so. My confidence has grown tremendously regarding being able to express my thoughts to several strangers. Also, this position has allowed to be more receptive of criticism and constructive feedback. Of course, I’m still a work in progress, but with the support of ASM I feel I’ve progressed significantly. Thanks ASM for giving me the chance to grow as a social worker and leader!"
ASM is Recruiting!
SI & UMKC Tutoring
You know outstanding students; send them our way! Faculty and staff can recommend students you think would be outstanding SI Leaders or Tutors by filling out the brief recommendation form for up to five candidates at a time, or by emailing their names and email addresses to Heather Miller or Laura Morman (millerhe@umkc.edu or mormanl@umkc.edu). All referred students will receive an email with details about the application and process. The deadline for recommendations has been extended to March 25, 2022. Additionally, SI Leader and Tutor applications are currently open; students can fill out the online SI Leader and Tutor application until April 6, 2022.
Writing Studio
The Writing Studio seeks a diverse team of writing consultants representing a wide range of disciplines and experiences. Undergraduate and graduate students may apply year-round, but it is recommended that students apply before March 30 for priority consideration for Fall 2022. Students can apply online via the writing consultant application.
Jumpstart
Jumpstart is a national early education organization working toward the day every child in America enters kindergarten prepared to succeed. Jumpstart recruits college students to work with preschool-age children from under-resourced communities on language, literacy, and social-emotional skills. For those eligible, college students can potentially earn Federal Work-Study, course credit, a stipend, and a $1342 Segal AmeriCorps Education Award. We will start accepting applications for the 2022-2023 school year in April 2022. For more information please contact Marcel Wilson, wilsonmarc@umkc.edu or Silvina Munita munitas@umkc.edu.
First Gen Roo
2021 First Gen Roo Scholars Success
First Gen Roo (FGR) Scholars' first year in the Academic Support and Mentoring department was a great success! 53 first-generation college students participated in the 2021 FGR scholars program. First Gen Roo Scholars thrived in their first semester at UMKC, earning an average GPA of 3.25. 100% of the FGR Scholars persisted from the fall to spring semester. These outcomes not only surpassed First Gen Roo’s program goals but surpassed the averages of the 2021 First Time College class as a whole. We are extremely proud of the hard work our scholars put in this semester and can’t wait to see what amazing things they will continue to do in the years to come!
Looking into the Future
Recruitment is underway for the 2022 FGR Scholars program. We are excited to announce the FGR Scholars program will be expanding from 56 scholars to 110 scholars in the Fall of 2022. FGR will be also be launching an LLC in Johnson Hall this fall. This LLC will allow FGRs to live together and participate in special events and service projects as a group.
Calling All First-Generation Faculty and Staff
Faculty and staff who identify as first-generation college students are invited to join the First Gen Proud registry. Use your @umsystem.edu email address to log in to Google to access the registration form. In April 2022, the First Gen Proud registry page will be updated to include First Gen Faculty, Staff, and Alumni profiles for students to learn more about campus and community leaders who share their first-generation college student identity. Joining the registry will also ensure you are kept up to date with ways you can get involved with First Gen Roo Programming such as First Gen Roo Scholars Welcome Week, National First-Generation College Student Celebration, and First Gen Grad Celebration Week.
We also encourage all first-generation faculty and staff to add FIRST GEN PROUD to your email signature and syllabus.
Not first gen but still want to show your support? Consider adding FIRST GEN PROUD SUPPORTER to your email signature and syllabus instead!
Summer Bridge Scholars
New ASM Team Member: Laura Casey
Please help us in welcoming the newest member of the ASM Team, Laura Casey. Laura will serve as an Academic Success Coordinator and will be responsible for the coordination of the Summer Bridge Scholars Program, and will also support the coordination of First Gen Roo Scholars Program and the academic recovery efforts in our department.
Summer Bridge Scholars & The Debruce Foundation
This past summer, Summer Bridge Scholars and Career Services partnered with The Debruce Foundation to integrate the Debruce Agilities into existing Summer Bridge Scholars career exploration programming. In November, the Summer Bridge Program Summer Bridge Scholar Program Coordinator, Megan Elsen, PAL Director, Susi Krulewich, and Summer Bridge Scholar, Jada Pittman, shared the success of this collaboration in the Bridges to Success Equity Webinar Series hosted by the Missouri Department of Higher Education & Workforce Development (MDHEWD). A recording of this webinar can be accessed here: "Using Agilities to Explore Careers and Expand Opportunity".
Beginning in May 2022, Megan Elsen will be serving as a coach for a year-long MDHEWD initiative to support eight institutions around the state begin or expand Summer Bridge Programs on their campuses.