Academic Success Program
The CCAS Academic Success Program helps students develop the skills and programming they need to succeed at the university. While working one-on-one with coaches through the Office of Student Success to cultivate an individual development plan, students also improve their time management, study skills, self-assessment of academic strengths, comfort level working with faculty and personal well-being.
If you have any questions about ASP or the requirements to complete the program, please email ccasacadsuccess
gwu [dot] edu.
How We Can Help
Course and Major Choice
Are you picking courses that best set you up for success? Is your major a good fit for you? If you do not feel engaged in the content of your courses or you feel that your abilities would better fit a different academic path, you can meet with a POD advisor to explore these questions. We can discuss ways to identify and leverage your academic strengths through course choice, major choice and future academic and professional goals.
Personal Health and Well-Being
Do you take care of your physical and emotional well-being? Is your well-being impacting your academic success? The OSS team can work with you on better balancing your academics and well-being. Ask your coach about the variety of coping skills and stress management techniques we offer. We can also connect you with additional campus resources for support.
Study Skills and Working with Faculty
Do you feel like you are studying the wrong things? Are you communicating effectively with faculty? If you routinely get stuck when it comes to tasks such as reviewing notes or going to office hours, we can help. The OSS team can review study skills and considerations when working with faculty.
Time Management
Do you procrastinate? Do you run out of hours in the day? If you need assistance in assessing or developing your time management skills, we can dedicate your coaching appointments to time management. OSS coaches can assist you with understanding how you are currently spending your time and how you could optimize it for academic success.
Appointments
CCAS Academic Success Program (ASP) works exclusively with undergraduate CCAS students on academic probation and academic suspension.
- Students on academic probation are encouraged to seek one-to-one Student Success Coaching through the Office of Student Success over the course of the semester.
- Students on academic suspension may schedule appointments with their POD to address their concerns while suspended, plan for re-admission and discuss other next steps regarding their academic career.
The Columbian College partners with the GW Office for Student Success to ensure that all students in need of support are able to be matched with a coach.
Related Resources
Find information about the Academic Success Program requirements that you may see in the classroom and some tips for supporting students during the semester on probation.
Mid-Semester Report
Students on probation are required to complete a Mid-Semester report in October during the fall semester and March in the spring semester. The Mid-Semester reports serves two purposes: (1) to facilitate student engagement with their faculty, and (2) to measure the student’s academic progress. We ask faculty to report the student’s estimated grade at the middle of the semester and provide their signature next to the estimated grade. It is the student’s responsibility to communicate their need for completion of the Mid-Semester with their faculty. Download the Mid-Semester Grade Report Form (PDF).
Please note: the estimated grade is based on all graded material in the course thus far. This could include participation, in-class assignments, homework and/or exams. It is not required that the student’s midterm exam be graded before determining an estimated grade for the Mid-Semester Report.
Faculty Feedback
Faculty Feedback is an initiative designed to make it easy for faculty to report student progress around the midpoint of the semester. This early feedback allows advising offices to reach out to struggling students earlier in the semester, as well as identify and recognize students doing outstanding work in their courses. This process is managed by the Office of Student Success and is separate from the Mid-Semester Report, a process that is initiated by the student to fulfill an Academic Success Program requirement.
Disability Support Services
Some students on academic probation are registered with Disability Support Services (DSS) and require accommodations to support their academic success. If your student discloses this information, please visit the DSS Faculty Support website for additional information about accommodating these students.
Tips to Support Students on Academic Probation
- Avoid assumptions. The reasons a student may be on academic probation for a particular semester are abundant. Students may not want to discuss their personal circumstances or academic standing. Allow the student to share only what they are comfortable sharing. It will be helpful for students on academic probation to feel they can access faculty support without needing to disclose the reason for their current academic standing.
- Invite students to office hours. The general college student population can find approaching their faculty members and professors intimidating. Students on academic probation may have questions but may avoid asking for help. A welcoming statement inviting students to office hours during class and on syllabi can help change this perspective.
- Be transparent about grades and grading. Common feedback from students on academic probation is a lack of understanding of what is required to earn a quality grade. This group of students can benefit from a clear rubric for assignments, projects and homework, in addition to thoughtful feedback, describing why they earned the score they did, when requested. We understand grading assignments are timely and tedious tasks. Students on academic probation rely heavily on their grades to track their progress and ability to return to good academic standing.
- Contact us. You can always reach us with questions, concerns or opportunities for collaboration at ccasacadsuccessgwu [dot] edu (ccasacadsuccess[at]gwu[dot]edu).