Q: Academic success at FCC is the goal for all students at FCC. However, some students oftentimes face difficulties achieving the level of academic success that might be desirable. What advice do you give such students dealing with hardships in life, whether it be family or health issues to achieve success in college?

A: This response is from Dr. Gerri Santos, Chair of the Counseling Department

Students have a variety of issues that they encounter in today’s diminished economy. They have families, transportation issues and other external factors like work, child care and above all many of our student’s need remedial math and English to be successful at FCC. A majority of our student population receive some type of financial assistance albeit from Cal works, EOPS, financial aid fee waiver etc. Many more of our students are in need of remedial math and English.

* We offer psychological services to assist our students with emotional needs.

* Advise students to take an introduction course like Counseling 53 that teaches students how to make the transition from high school to college or transition from a vocational perspective to college.

* Counseling 53 classes, which is a first year experience class, assist students with transitional issues from high school to college. It alerts them regarding the level of responsibility and that college life is a balancing act. Helps them to understand psychosocial growth and development issues. Connects students with campus resources that they can access to help with all campus issues.

* Health issues; we have our nursing department that can evaluate a student and make the appropriate referral to medical providers in the community.

* We offer a variety of program such as Trio, (which connects with students from 9th grade until they actually enroll in college), IDILE, Puente, Symba, USEAA, Bridge Program (deals with foster youth), athletics, EOPS, DSPS, etc.

* We offer remedial English and Math classes that put students on course to understand all areas of curriculum content.

* We make referral to the tutorial center, library, job placement, and computer lab for students who are experiencing difficulties in the classroom,

* We offer a mentoring program with all of our special programs. We have our new STEM Program that offers support and mentoring for math, science and engineering majors.

Ultimately we teach students with collaboration of teaching faculty, counselors, study groups, how to successfully navigate their own education success by having a vision, shared goal, actively participate in community groups and seek help when necessary.

Q: What steps does the college take to ensure academic success in those disabled students that might seem discouraged due to a learning disability?

A: This response was provided by Dr. Janice Emerzian, District Director, DSP&S

Steps:

1. students are assigned to a counselor for case management and guidance

2. students are assessed by our Learning Disabilities Specialist, if not done in the last year, and their strengths and weaknesses are determined for their support as well appropriate accommodations they might need (e.g.: note takers, tape recorders, adaptive equipment, voice activated software, special tutoring etc.)

3. students are encouraged to enroll in a strategies class for students with LD taught by our LD specialist

4. students meet with their counselors each semester once or 2 or 3 times to confirm their needed accommodations and progress in their classes and any adjustments needed for their success

5. The majority of our LD students (approx 300 out of 1800) is successful and progress in their classes

6. The majority also graduate or receive certificates of completion; some have been selected for Dean’s Medallions.

Q: For those students on academic probation, what steps should they do to ensure success in the future?

A: Dr. Marilyn Behringer, Interim Vice President for Student Services provided the answer to question 3.

Students on academic probation should meet with their counselor to determine the best future course of student study. One quick way off of academic probation is for the student to repeat the classes with the worst grades and then petition for a grade replacement.

Email your questions to Dr. Azari. Contact us at [email protected]