Academic Support Courses

Supporting Student Success

Delivered by the Academic Success Center, EDUC 113 is a success course for students who are on probation or suspension. EDUC 114 delivers a similar curriculum and support for students beginning at UMBC.  In partnership with the Office of Financial Aid, Student Business Services and the Office of Advising, EDUC 113/114 helps support students to succeed at UMBC and in life.

Successes

The persistence (retention plus graduation) rate for EDUC 113 students is 60%. Students who complete EDUC 113 are more likely to persist and graduate than similar students who do not. 

If you are interested in EDUC 113 or EDUC 114, please email Dr. Delana Gregg.


Rachel Garcia shares her experience with EDUC 113.

Curriculum

The curriculum is based on the program On Course: Strategies for Creating Success in College and Life by Dr. Skip Downing. The program focuses on proven strategies for empowering students to become active, responsible partners in their education and to achieve greater success in college and in life.

In this class you will be able to:

  1. Take charge of your life.
  2. Increase self-motivation.
  3. Improve personal self-management.
  4. Improve your public speaking skills.
  5. Develop interdependence.
  6. Increase self-awareness.
  7. Maximize your learning.
  8. Develop emotional intelligence.
  9. Raise your self-esteem.
  10. Write more effectively.
  11. Improve creative and critical thinking skills.
  12. Master effective study skills

Meet the Instructors

Delana standing outside on university Row

Delana Gregg

I earned my Ph.D. from UMBC in 2019, my research focusing on how to help first-generation college students succeed. As the first generation of my family to graduate from college, I remember how hard it was to navigate higher education.  I value serving as a guide to students, helping them make connections, identify their values and goals, and prepare for their careers with a college degree.  I studied English and Education at Southern Illinois University in Carbondale, and have worked at UMBC since 2002, most recently at the Academic Success Center.

Face Image Arnold Foelster

Arnold Foelster

I love helping students and making a difference! I am the Director of Academic and Student Enterprise Systems in UMBC’s Division of Information Technology, where I am responsible for UMBC’s Student Administration System and other Enterprise Systems that include cloud based and in-house solutions. I have more than 20 years of experience as a software systems implementer, project manager, and change agent. I hold a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies (with an emphasis in IFSM and Political Science) from UMBC (1993) and completed my MBA and am a graduate of UMUC’s National Leadership Institute.

Emma Sellers Face Image

Mitsue Wiggs

I serve as the Assistant Director to UMBC’s Meyerhoff Scholars Program, recruiting and advising students, coordinating their Summer Bridge, and overseeing peer mentoring, student success seminars and internships. Being an instructor for this course is a unique opportunity to help students to review, revise and revamp best practices for academic success. I hold a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Syracuse University and a Masters of Sciences Degree in Project Management from the University of Maryland, University College.

Samir El Omari Face Image

Samir El Omari

I am a lecturer in French and Arabic at UMBC in the Modern Languages and Linguistics Department. I earned my PhD from UMBC in 2014, and my research focuses on technological tools Arabic instructors use to help university students learn this foreign language in the U.S. I also host study abroad trips to Morocco!