Office For Student Success

Leigh Poole, Assistant Provost

Founded in 2025, the Office for Student Success (OSS) integrates a network of offices, programs, services and resources that help students find academic achievement, engage in excellence, and participate in high impact practices at Winthrop and beyond.

The Office for Student Success supports the General Education Program through two courses: ACAD 101: Principles of the Learning Academy; and HMXP 102: The Human Experience: Who Am I.

Also located within the Office for Student Success are the Academic Success Center (ASC), Center for Advising and Transfer Success (C.A.T.S), Common Book Program, First-Year Experience (FYE) Office, International Center and Study Abroad, Learning Excellent Academic Practices (LEAP) Program, McNair Scholars Program, Office of Nationally Competitive Awards (ONCA), TRiO Achievers Program and Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Scholarship.

Academic Success Center
The Academic Success Center (ASC) supports the academic achievement and personal growth of all students through tutoring, academic coaching, and skill development services. The ASC offers peer tutoring and learning support through workshops, consultations, and individualized academic assistance designed to help students succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

Tutoring
The ASC provides peer tutoring services led by CRLA-certified tutors who support a variety of general education and upper-level courses. Tutors are selected based on faculty recommendations, subject-area expertise, and strong interpersonal skills. Tutoring sessions focus on both content mastery and the development of effective academic strategies that promote long-term success.

Coaching

Academic coaching provides students with individualized support to strengthen academic habits, increase accountability, and develop skills necessary for college success. Through one-on-one coaching sessions, students work collaboratively with an academic coach to identify goals, improve time management and organization, build effective study strategies, and overcome academic challenges.

Workshops
The Focus Workshop Series offers interactive sessions for classes, residence halls, student organizations, and campus groups. Workshop topics include study strategies, time management, test preparation, note-taking, textbook reading, procrastination prevention, and other skills associated with academic success. These workshops are designed to help students learn how to study smarter and build habits that support lifelong learning.

All ASC services are provided free of charge to undergraduate students. The Center also partners with campus offices and departments to foster student success and support the overall academic mission of Winthrop University.

For more information, contact:
Academic Success Center (ASC)
106 Dinkins Hall (Main Office)
803/323-3929
success@winthrop.edu
https://www.winthrop.edu/asc/

Center for Advising and Transfer Success
The Center for Advising and Transfer Success (C.A.T.S.) provides student-centered advising tailored to supporting first-year students. Undeclared students receive individualized advising that allows them to fully embrace the liberal arts and science experience offered by Winthrop. After successfully earning 45 credit hours, students will transition to advising offered by their Faculty Advisor assigned within their new Academic College.

The Center for Advising and Transfer Success also provides transitional support and programming for transfer students at Winthrop. Transfer students are encouraged to seek support, learn about Winthrop's many resources, and get involved by engaging with the Center for Advising and Transfer Success.

For more information, contact:
The Center for Advising and Transfer Success (C.A.T.S.)
108 Dinkins Hall
803/323-4784
osscats@winthrop.edu
https://www.winthrop.edu/success/studentservices/

The Common Book Program
Winthrop University’s Common Book Program is designed to help integrate students into the university environment and create a shared academic experience for our first-year students. Incoming students receive the selected book during orientation and are expected to read it over the summer before arriving on campus in the fall. Reading the Common Book provides students with a shared intellectual experience that fosters connections with peers, faculty, and the broader learning-centered community at Winthrop University. The program encourages students to engage with perspectives that may differ from their own and is incorporated into General Education coursework, specifically HMXP 102: The Human Experience: Who Am I?. In addition, campus-wide Common Book programming is offered during both the fall and spring semesters.

The Common Book for 2026-27 is Callings: The Purpose and Passion of Work by Dave Isay. Previous Common Books include The Girl Who Smiled Beads by Clemantine Wamariya, The Girl with Seven Names by Hyeonseo Lee, Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson, Something Must Be Done about Prince Edward County by Kristen Green, Spare Parts by Joshua Davis, The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls , Where Am I Eating? by Kelsey Timmerman, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind by William Kamkwamba, Where Am I Wearing? by Kelsey Timmerman, Make the Impossible Possible by Bill Strickland, Growing Up by Russell Baker, Nine Hills to Nambonkaha: Two Years in the Heart of an African Village by Sarah Erdman, The Creative Habit: Learn It and Use It for Life by Twyla Tharp, The Tipping Point, by Malcolm Gladwell, A Hope in the Unseen by Ron Suskind, and Into the Wild by Jon Krakauer.

First-Year Experience
The First-Year Experience (FYE) Office offers programs and academic courses that cultivate engaged learning, enhance academic achievement, and build connections with faculty, peers, and the Winthrop community. One of the signature experiences of first-year students at Winthrop is taking ACAD 101 or ACAD 300, which serves as an introduction to the learning academy. Both courses are taught by instructors from all academic colleges in support of student success. New students are assigned a peer mentor. Peer mentors are high achieving student leaders who work in partnership with ACAD instructors to assist in the delivery of course content as they provide the student perspective and foster lasting relationships with first-year/transfer students to support their transition. Ongoing community building includes First Night Winthrop and other activities.

For more information, contact:
First-Year Experience Office (FYE)
233 Dinkins Hall (Main Office)
803/323-3908
fye@winthrop.edu
https://www.winthrop.edu/fye/

International Center & Study Abroad
The International Center at Winthrop University provides leadership for the internationalization of the Winthrop community. The Center has four primary functions including international student and faculty services, global engagement, National Student Exchange, and study abroad.

• International Student and Faculty Services: The International Center provides support services including offering a comprehensive orientation for all new international students, offering immigration assistance, and assisting international students and scholars with maintaining the regulations set forth by the Department of Homeland Security. The International Center also serves as the primary resource for all international students, guests, and scholars.

• Global Engagement: The International Center also coordinates and leads international and global engagement events for the University including, but not limited to, International Education Week, Study Abroad programming, the International Tea, Casual Fridays, Global Friends, and various cultural events during the fall and spring semesters.

• National Student Exchange (NSE): Through participation in the NSE program, Winthrop students have the opportunity to temporarily study at another college or university for a semester or up to one year. Room and board costs vary depending on the university chosen. Exchanges are possible with colleges and universities throughout the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Winthrop students have studied in Alaska, Colorado, Minnesota, Washington, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and many more locations.

• Study Abroad: The International Center assists students in identifying, applying for, and preparing to study abroad. Winthrop students have the opportunity to study abroad for a semester or academic year in a number of countries including, but not limited to, Australia, England, Finland, France, Germany, Italy, Norway, Panama, Spain, Sweden, and Taiwan. Opportunities for short-term study abroad are also coordinated through the International Center via Winthrop faculty-led programs and summer opportunities.

To learn more please visit the International Center in 218 Dinkins Hall or online at www.winthrop.edu/international.

For more information, contact:
International Center
218 Dinkins Hal
803/323-2133
international@winthrop.edu

LEAP
The Learning Excellent Academic Practices (LEAP) Program is designed to assist students in making a successful transition from high school to college. The program provides academic guidance and support to a select group of first-year students at Winthrop University. LEAP program eligibility is determined by the Office of Admissions. The core components of LEAP include:

Individual academic advising support.

Support begins during the summer before students start their first semester at Winthrop University and continues throughout their first year. In addition to receiving assistance with course selection, students participate in individual interim grade advising meetings during their first year to monitor academic progress and support their success.

Structured study halls: ACAD 102

LEAP study halls provide program participants with intensive, proactive tutoring support in a variety of General Education courses, including writing and mathematics. The tutoring staff is comprised of Winthrop University faculty and staff, as well as exceptional peer tutors. Study halls meet from 6:30–8:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday evenings during both the fall and spring semesters. Attendance is mandatory for all LEAP Program participants, and students are eligible to earn one hour of course credit each semester through ACAD 102.

Access to an experienced support network

In addition to tutoring support, LEAP students benefit from a comprehensive support network that includes the program director, assistant director, faculty advisor, student mentors, and academic coaches. This network helps students build connections across campus and access support and resources to thrive academically and personally.

For more information, contact:
The Learning Excellent Academic Practices (LEAP) Program
202 Bancroft Annex
803-323-3383
leap@winthrop.edu
https://www.winthrop.edu/leap/

McNair Scholars Program
The McNair Scholars Program is Winthrop’s prestigious Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, housed in the Office for Student Success. Established in 2009, the program is funded through a nationally competitive and renewable U.S. Department of Education TRiO grant designed to help eligible high-achieving undergraduates complete research and prepare for doctoral study. Program participation begins with the paid Winthrop McNair summer research internship with mentoring by faculty who hold research doctorates and room and board. During the summer and year-round, participants travel to visit graduate programs and present at research conferences. The program includes a host of services that help students find, fund, apply to, and accept offers from appropriate graduate programs. Successful applicants can come from any major and many SC universities. Federal law mandates that at least two thirds of students served must be low-income individuals who are first generation college students. To ensure consideration, students should submit applications by November 1.

For more information, visit http://www.winthrop.edu/mcnair/ or contact:

McNair Scholars
104 Dinkins Hall
803/323-2125
mcnair@winthrop.edu

Office of Nationally Competitive Awards
The Office of Nationally Competitive Awards (ONCA) supports Winthrop University students interested in applying for nationally and internationally competitive awards, scholarships, fellowships, and unique opportunities both at home and abroad. There are many award opportunities for undergraduate and graduate study within both disciplinary and interdisciplinary categories. ONCA gathers and disseminates information about awards and their deadlines to all members of the campus community, as well as works with students to prepare the best portfolios possible. This office also serves as a resource for mock interviews for students, awards for faculty, and as a place to list and celebrate the competitive awards and national recognition that our students and faculty receive.

For more information, contact:
Office of Nationally Competitive Awards (ONCA)
222A Dinkins Hall
803/ 323-3906
onca@winthrop.edu
https://www.winthrop.edu/onca/

TRiO Achievers Program
The TRiO Achievers Program at Winthrop University, first funded in 2005, is one of over 1000 Student Support Services programs funded by the US Department of Education. TRiO is an academic success program designed to increase the academic performance, retention rates, and graduation rates of program participants. The TRiO program promotes academic excellence and provides participants the necessary tools to get the most from their undergraduate education, to graduate, and to seek employment and/or attend graduate school after completion of their bachelor’s degree.

Winthrop’s TRiO Achievers Program services include:

Academic Counseling: Academic Counselors meet individually with students to discuss their semester goals, individual learning styles, grades, academic progress, time management, etc.
Academic Tutoring: Upperclass students are hired and trained by TRiO staff to assist student participants with academic course work including math, chemistry, biology, history, education, economics, etc.
Financial Literacy and Career Readiness: Both services are provided via individual appointments and workshops throughout the academic year.
College Success Workshops: To encourage well-rounded student development, TRiO staff present interactive workshops on topics such as money management, time management, professional etiquette, resume building and preparing for graduate school.
TRiO Computer Lab: The TRiO computer lab offers FREE printing for all TRiO participants.

Students who demonstrate a need for academic support, are citizens or permanent residents of the US, are enrolled or accepted for the next academic year, and meet one or more of the following requirements are eligible for the program:

are a first-generation college student--a student whose parents or guardians did not receive a baccalaureate degree;
meet specific federal income guidelines;
have a documented disability as defined by the ADA.

Program applications can be found at www.winthrop.edu/trio or in the TRiO offices.

For more information, contact:
TRiO Achievers
102 Dinkins
803/323-4797
trio@winthrop.edu
https://www.winthrop.edu/trio/

Office of Undergraduate Research
The office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Scholarship helps students to identify research opportunities on and off campus. In addition, the office coordinates activities to increase opportunities for students to present their work and recognize and honor the students who engage in undergraduate research and the faculty who mentor those students. The office also provides funding for student travel to present their work at professional and undergraduate research focused conferences.

Undergraduate research provides valuable learning experiences to students and is one of the high-impact educational practices that increase the rates of student retention and engagement. Participating in undergraduate research can help students prepare for professional and graduate programs, and enhance professional and academic credentials to support applications for scholarships, awards, career employment, and entry into graduate and professional schools. While engaging in undergraduate research experiences students can develop one-on-one mentoring relationships with faculty members, clarify academic and career interests and goals, acquire additional knowledge in their academic fields that transcends classroom study, and enhance critical skills in communication, independent thinking, creativity, and problem solving. Moreover, they will contribute to the creation of new knowledge on the cutting edge of their academic discipline and apply that knowledge to real world problems.

Student researchers often disseminate their work at our annual SOURCE event, professional meetings or submit the scholarship for publication in academic journals. These activities allow students the chance to make connections with and receive feedback from a broader audience than they may encounter on campus. These experiences have value as students leave the university and enter today’s workforce, where presentation, communication, and relationship skills are vital for their success.

For more information, contact:
Salvatore Blair, PhD.
Director of Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship
222B Dinkins Hall
803/323-3397