The Stern Tutoring and Alternative Techniques for Education (STATE) Program wrapped up a successful Spring 2023 semester. As one of the Signature Programs for RCPD, STATE provides critical support for students who are struggling academically. Participants in the STATE Program are selected based upon having a GPA that is at the 2.50 level or lower, and being a student with a disability who is registered with the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) office. Participation may fulfill one of the aspects of the academic improvement plan for students.
For Spring 2023 semester, the STATE Program class was redesigned to focus on executive functioning skills training for neurodiverse students who are at or near academic probation. STATE Program students attended weekly class meetings which were taught in a hybrid format with both in-person and Zoom meetings; the course also included a D2L online component for weekly discussion board posts and to provide disability-related resources. Topics that were covered in the nine class meetings included: working memory, emotional regulation, time management, and motivation. Christine Stevens-Gopsill, owner of Focus ADHD Coaching, facilitated the online, in-person, and D2L aspects of the course.
“I was able to learn new tools to help with my daily studies and general duties. The STATE Program helped me realize how much using a schedule and even a little time management really helps with my day‐to‐day tasks” – Hunter, Spring 2023 STATE Program student.
As part of an RCPD assistive technology note-taking project, students participating in the STATE Program were gifted with a Rocketbook note-taking book and pen which allowed the students to take hand-written notes in their classes, then save them into an electronic format. Student participants found this to be a helpful resource for taking notes, allowing for easy sharing, reformatting, and review of notes as a study skills strategy.
Tutoring was another benefit of STATE Program participation. Students in the Program were matched with a subject-specific tutor who met with each student for two hours per week. STATE Program students could select the course in which they most needed a tutor to assist in improving academic performance.
The Victor Troubalos Scholarship was awarded to STATE Program students as a means of encouraging engagement and participation in all aspects of the Program. Each STATE Program student was awarded a portion of the Troubalos Scholarship, based on performance in the class, with awards ranging from $100-$800. Ryan, a Spring 2023 STATE Program student, stated, “As someone with several learning disabilities, I face a myriad of challenges. All of which make pursuing higher education more difficult than for others. However, with financial assistance some of this burden has been alleviated from my college education. [RCPD's] support has inspired me to work even harder and strive for excellence in my chosen studies of finance.”
The STATE Program looks forward to continuing to grow the number of participants as a means of providing academic skills and support to students who are experiencing academic concerns. For more information about the STATE Program, please contact Jennifer Wright in MSU’s RCPD office.