Alpha Scholars ProgramAlpha Scholars ProgramA Future Built Upon The Alpha Academic Services Heritage

What is Alpha?

• Alpha comprises two programs: a federally funded Students Support Services (SSS) and ACU’s Disabilities Services (DS) programs.

• The mission of Alpha is to empower college to empower college students to choose academic success to the students to choose academic success to the level of their potential.level of their potential.

Origins of the programs:• SSS• DS

Student Student Support Support ServicesServices

Disability Disability Support Support ServiceService

Original Vision of AlphaOriginal Vision of Alpha

Almost 100%Almost 100%overlap of overlap of servicesservices

Current Reality of AlphaCurrent Reality of Alpha

Current Perceptions of Current Perceptions of Alpha AcademicAlpha Academic

The place disabled students come to testThe place disabled students come to testRemedial tutoringRemedial tutoringWeakness-based interventionWeakness-based intervention““Why do I have to be in Alpha???”Why do I have to be in Alpha???”

Projected Perceptions of Projected Perceptions of Alpha AcademicAlpha Academic

The place students come to “excel still more” The place students come to “excel still more” (disabled, low income, and 1st generation)(disabled, low income, and 1st generation)Supplemental tutoring - expanded masterySupplemental tutoring - expanded masteryStrengths-based interventionStrengths-based intervention““How come How come II can’t be in Alpha???” can’t be in Alpha???”

Access and OpportunityAccess and OpportunityTRiO Programs - Low income and 1st GenerationTRiO Programs - Low income and 1st GenerationVision - Engage students through opportunityVision - Engage students through opportunityMethod - Support for students across several axesMethod - Support for students across several axes

Self-advocacySelf-advocacyTutoring in content AND methodTutoring in content AND methodCoaching on academic, personal, and spiritual Coaching on academic, personal, and spiritual levelslevels

““Yes We Can”Yes We Can”

TRiO programs are a necessary source of the TRiO programs are a necessary source of the rhetoricrhetoricTRiO programs are also the source of TRiO programs are also the source of methodology and implementationmethodology and implementationAlpha is the place where students hear “Yes Alpha is the place where students hear “Yes you can, and here’s how you can do it.”you can, and here’s how you can do it.”

Reframing Alpha

• We have started by changing our name to the Alpha Scholars Program.

• Alpha Scholars program will continue to umbrella the federally funded program, Student Support Service, and ACU’s Disability Services program.