Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Director and staff of new Student Support Services Program selected
Michael Minton
Contact for more information:
Wendy Knipe Bredhold Media Relations Specialist, News & Information Services 812/461-5259 Housed within the University Division, the program will target first generation, low income, and/or learning-disabled students. Research indicates that these students are less likely to persist in higher education than other students, and USI's experience supports that research. Only 63 percent of SSS-eligible USI freshmen in fall 2008 were retained in fall 2009, and retention continues to be an issue as SSS-eligible students progress. Twenty-two percent of SSS-eligible sophomores and 21 percent of SSS-eligible juniors also did not return in fall 2009. To help motivate eligible students to successfully complete their degrees, the SSS Program will provide students comprehensive services through classroom instruction, academic skill development, academic advising and career development, personal and financial aid counseling, and experiences designed to enhance the collegiate experience. The program will assist in the academic, career, and personal development of 140 qualified students per budget year. Minton will report to Michael "Brody" Broshears, director of the University Division. "We are extremely pleased to have Mike on board to lead the Student Support Services Program," Broshears said. "He has a solid understanding of compliance issues impacting the administration of the grant. More importantly, his willingness and desire to help students succeed both personally and academically will serve him well in this role. He is team oriented and initiative driven, and we are excited to have him joining our team within University Division." Minton holds a master's degree in college student personnel administration from Illinois State University and a bachelor's degree in history from Indiana University. Before joining USI, he was employed as assistant director of Career Services at Illinois State University. Rounding out the Student Support Services staff are Brad Bates, academic counselor, and Rashinda Reed, administrative assistant. Bates holds a bachelor's degree in sports administration from the University of Indianapolis, a teaching certification in USI's Transition to Teaching program, and a master's degree in academic advising from Kansas State University. He formerly taught fourth grade in a Louisville public school. Reed holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from University of Georgia-Athens. She was already employed with the University as assistant volleyball coach and teaches volleyball in the Physical Education Department. Prior to joining the University in 2009, she was a professional volleyball player and competed throughout Europe. In each of the past three years, approximately 35 percent of undergraduate students enrolled at USI were eligible for SSS Program services based on their status as low income and/or first generation students. The students categorized as both first generation and low income constitute between six and seven percent of all undergraduates, and between 18 and 20 percent of those undergraduates qualify for SSS. |
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