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Program
Description
Pathways
provides:
-
A
director, assistant director, and trained
staff of mentors
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One-to-one
mentoring sessions
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Seminars,
workshops, and study groups tailored to meet
students' needs
-
Academic
counseling, course advisement, and priority
registration
-
A
specialized summer program prior to the first
semester at STAC
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Computer
and assistive technology access
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A
library of resources on learning disabilities
Mentoring
At the heart of the Pathways program are mentoring
sessions. Twice weekly, each student meets with
a mentor who serves as a guide, helping the student
to learn more effectively. Our mentors are not
peer mentors, but are trained professionals with
post-college education and experience in some
aspect of teaching.
These
mentoring sessions are tailored to meet specific
student needs. The mentor works with students
in areas such as time management, self-advocacy,
organizational strategies, editing for a paper,
and discussing course concepts to enhance the
understanding of lectures and textbook materials.
A
very important distinction is made between these
sessions with the mentor and traditional types
of tutoring. It is expected that students come
to mentor sessions after having attended classes,
read assignments, and prepared first drafts of
themes in order to increase their understanding
of the material. Only after this type of initial
work can students truly benefit from the transfer
of learning that the mentors work to foster.
Pathways
students are required to attend their regularly
scheduled mentoring sessions; however, they may
always "drop in" for additional help
as needed. There is no maximum.
Study Groups and Workshops
Program mentors and consultants occasionally conduct
workshops and study groups. These instructional
activities are small group sessions that students
are encouraged to attend based upon their individual
needs and interests. Workshops, which may cover
such topics as Note Taking, Textbook Reading,
Interview Skills, and Resume Writing, are frequently
incorporated within the summer program course.
Study groups in specific subject areas, such as
algebra, history, foreign language, and psychology,
are offered dependent upon student need.
Summer Program
There is a required summer program for incoming
Pathways freshmen prior to their first semester.
The program is residential and lasts three to
four days. The goals are to learn the specific
needs of each student, to begin preparing individuals
for the academic rigors of higher education, and
to build a sense of trust and community within
the group. The rewards and challenges of academics
are promoted because the program integrates a
three-credit course, whose topic may vary from
year to year (e.g., the history and development
of American culture). This aspect of the program
continues into the fall semester. The summer program
fosters a sense of community among the students
through shared activities while building their
self-confidence and comfort within the college
setting.
Eligibility
Interested students must submit applications both
to the College and Pathways. Acceptance to the
program is limited and extremely competitive.
Those students who meet the following criteria
are encouraged to apply:
- Acceptance
or eligibility to be accepted to St. Thomas
Aquinas College.
- A
learning disability or an attention deficit
disorder with associated leaning difficulties
as the primary classification/diagnosis.
- An
adult intelligence test (WAIS-III preferred)
indicating average or above abilities.
We
can only consider your application to Pathways
after the College has formally accepted you. If
the College accepts you, Pathways staff will evaluate
your application materials. If you are eligible
for admission to Pathways, a personal interview
will be scheduled, typically in late December,
January or February.
To
request a Pathways application, please call us
at 845-398-4230 or email us at pathways@stac.edu.
Costs
The program provides services above and beyond
those accommodations required under the law. As
a result, students accepted into Pathways are
assessed a surcharge for program services. There
is also an additional cost for the summer program.
Information on specific program costs may be obtained
from the Pathways Office at 845-398-4230.
In reference to the additional costs for the program,
it is suggested that you contact your accountant
and /or IRS regarding possible deductibility.
Some employers and insurers may have reimbursement
policies for part or all of the program surcharge;
please contact your employer to discuss eligibility.
Finally, students may be eligible for financial
assistance. Information and applications for financial
aid are available from the College Financial Aid
Office.
Additional
Services
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973
and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)
of 1990 entitle students with documented disabilities
to academic accommodations without charge. These
accommodations may include alternative testing
procedures, assistance in securing textbooks on
tape, use of tape recorders for lectures, etc.
It is important to recognize that post-secondary
accommodations may vary, by law, from those at
the secondary level. Specified accommodations
are available without charge to students who have
been certified as disabled by the Committee for
Academic Accommodations of Disabilities (CAAD).
Program
Description
The
Application Process
Application
Requirements
Pathways Application
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