SSCC opens new Office of Advising and Retention Services

A new office at Southern State Community College promises to help students navigate the college experience.

The Advising and Retention Services main office opened mid-November on the college’s Central Campus in Hillsboro, with satellite offices on Fayette Campus in Washington C.H., North Campus in Wilmington and South Campus in Sardinia.

Primary services include assisting students with selection of classes; providing information about academic programs and courses; helping students understand and deal with academic warning and probation; and guiding students in exploring, declaring or changing a major.

Additionally, the academic advisors can provide helpful study tips, refer students to other campus resources, suggest informational web sites, and offer advice and encouragement.

“Our biggest concern right now is getting the word out … We’re here, we can help. Come in and talk to us,” said SSCC Director of Advising and Retention Services Dennis Bothel who has 23 years’ experience as a professional advisor.

Rounding out the Advising and Retention Services team are academic advisors Rob Moffat and Fredricka Jenkins, along with assistant Andrea Stanley.

New, continuing and transfer students are all encouraged to meet with their academic advisors on a regular basis. New students will meet with an academic advisor for the first time during New Student Orientation. For subsequent quarters, continuing students should plan to schedule advising appointments prior to and during the current term. Transfer students are encouraged to meet with an academic advisor at least one quarter before transferring to Southern State Community College.

“It’s very important to understand this new department does not replace the need for faculty advisors,” said James Bland, SSCC Vice President of Student Services and Enrollment Management. “This is intended to supplement and complement the advising services currently provided by faculty.”

Bland further emphasized that the “advising” and “retention” components of the department are equally important.

“We’re working on identifying at-risk students and reaching out to them,” he said. “We now have a system in place where we can be sure continuing students have their advising needs met.”

The office of Advising and Retention Services will host free Success Workshops on each campus. Winter quarter workshops are as follows:

SOUTH CAMPUS, Room 108, 12681 US Route 62, Sardinia, 12:30-1:30 p.m.

Monday, Feb. 8: On Warning - Probation

Thursday, Feb. 18: Study Skills

Monday, Feb. 22: Time Management

Monday, March 8: Stress Management

NORTH CAMPUS, Room 320, 1850 Davids Drive, Wilmington, 1:30-2:30 p.m.

Tuesday, Feb. 9: On Warning /Probation

Tuesday, Feb. 16: Study Skills

Tuesday, Feb. 23: Time Management

Tuesday, March 9: Stress Management

FAYETTE CAMPUS, Room 147, 1270 US Route 62 SW, Washington C.H., 1-2 p.m.

Wednesday, Feb. 10: On Warning /Probation

Wednesday, Feb. 17: Study Skills

Wednesday, Feb. 24: Time Management

Wednesday, March 10: Stress Management

CENTRAL CAMPUS, Room 149, 100 Hobart Drive, Hillsboro, 1-2 p.m.

Thursday, Feb. 11: On Warning /Probation

Thursday, Feb. 18: Study Skills

Thursday, Feb. 25: Time Management

Thursday, March 11: Stress Management

“Ideally, we’d like to see that every student who walks through the door at Southern State walks out with a certificate or degree,” said Bothel. “We’re here to help students meet their educational goals.”

Appointments are not necessary, but are recommended. To schedule an appointment with an academic advisor, please call 1-800-628-7722, ext. 2825, or email Dennis Bothel at dbothel@sscc.edu, Freddie Jenkins at fjenkins@sscc.edu or Rob Moffat at rmoffat@sscc.edu.

For more information, please visit www.sscc.edu/Academics/Advising.