View our 2024-2025 Annual Report
As a first-generation college student from rural West Virginia, I have spent over twenty-five years in higher education as a way to give back to the system that profoundly impacted my life. My passion lies in advocating for students of all backgrounds—helping them overcome barriers to academic success, much like the ones I once faced as a first-in-family college student.
It is a privilege to lead and work alongside the exceptional team in UMBC’s Academic Success Center (ASC), in collaboration with dedicated partners across the campus community. As part of the Division of Undergraduate Academic Affairs, the ASC proudly supports UMBC’s strategic plan by offering a robust array of academic services designed to promote student persistence, academic progression, and timely degree completion.
Rooted in a strong set of core values, the ASC’s services—spanning Academic Advocacy/Academic Peer Advocacy, Academic Learning Resources, and Academic Policy—empower students to access resources and develop essential skills for success throughout their academic journey and beyond. We follow a data-driven approach to partner closely with faculty, staff, and other campus offices to proactively ensure every undergraduate student receives personalized, consistent, holistic support in achieving their goals and earning a UMBC degree.
During the 2024–2025 academic year, we recorded 26,303 student visits to ASC programs, representing 4,150 distinct students. Our centrally located ASC Welcome Desk in the Albin O. Kuhn Library continues to serve as a first point of contact for many new and prospective students and their families. Staffed by a trained Guest Experience Team, this space provides guidance and connections to critical campus resources, in close collaboration with the Academic Care Team.
We are also deeply grateful for the ongoing guidance of the ASC Advisory Board, composed of faculty, staff and student representatives from across the campus community, who help us continuously enhance our services and deliver high quality programs to all undergraduate students. Leveraging an accessible Partner Request Form, many instructors invite us into their classrooms, and guests from other institutions frequently visit to learn about our nationally recognized model—particularly our innovative Academic Advocacy/Peer Advocacy programs. Each year, we also receive inquiries from around the globe about our approach to student support.
Our peer educators are at the heart of the ASC’s success. In 2024–2025, we employed 221 peer educators—including Tutors, SI PASS Leaders, Academic Peer Advocates (APAs), and Guest Experience Team members—whose leadership and contributions are invaluable. All ASC tutors are trained through the College Reading and Learning Association’s (CRLA) internationally certified program, and our SI PASS program is accredited by the International Center for Supplemental Instruction. These peer educators are faculty-recommended and have excelled in the very courses they now support.
APAs play a unique role by guiding their peers in identifying and utilizing key campus resources. All peer educators engage in ongoing training, participate in mock sessions with peer review and supervisor feedback, and are encouraged to pursue advanced certifications and mentorship roles. Our full-time staff includes recognized professionals who serve as board members and peer reviewers for MDCLCA, CRLA, ICLCA and other organizations, demonstrating the ASC’s commitment to excellence and leadership in the field.
Professional development is a core priority across all levels of the ASC. This year, several team members received prestigious awards and were invited to present at national and international conferences. Our collective efforts not only support UMBC students, but also elevate the profile of the ASC as a model for academic support nationwide. These accomplishments are proudly featured on the ASC’s Innovation, Recognition, and National Reach site.
We invite you to visit us in person on the first floor of the UMBC Library or explore our resources online at academicsuccess.umbc.edu. Be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to stay connected throughout the year.