Academic Support and Mentoring
Student Success Center, Level 2
(816) 235-1174
Fax: (816) 235-5156
asm@umkc.edu
http://www.umkc.edu/asm

 

Director: Marion Stone, Ph.D.

The mission of Academic Support and Mentoring (ASM) is to promote educational access, retention, and academic excellence for students of all ages throughout our campus, our community, and the world.

Services offered by ASM include the following:

 

Supplemental Instruction

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is an academic support model that utilizes peer assisted study sessions. The SI program targets traditionally difficult academic courses and provides regularly scheduled, out-of-class review sessions. The SI study sessions are informal seminars in which students compare notes, discuss readings,  develop organizational tools, and predict test items. This form of academic assistance is attached directly to selected courses at the undergraduate, graduate and professional school levels. SI services are announced at the beginning of each semester by the course professor and SI leader. This program was developed at UMKC in 1973 and is used in hundreds of colleges and universities around the world. The center also conducts training workshops and provides on-site training to other institutions.

 

Video-Based Supplemental Instruction

The Video-Based Supplemental Instruction program (VSI) is a highly structured approach to learning that helps students master course content as they develop and refine reasoning and critical thinking skills. In VSI, professors of core curriculum courses record their lectures on videotape and students are enrolled in a video section of the college course. In the video sections, trained facilitators use the taped lectures as a tool and guide students through the learning cycle.

 

UMKC Coaching Program

The UMKC Coaching Program provides first-year students with the skills necessary for their journey at UMKC by assisting them in becoming engaged with the University community and promoting lifelong learning through critical thinking and social awareness. Each student is paired with a peer coach who works one-on-one with the student to set goals, refine study skills and explore resources available at the University. Additionally, students are placed in groups led by UMKC faculty or staff members. The groups meet weekly to enhance critical-thinking skills and study skills.

 

Math and Science Tutoring

Math and Science Tutoring (MaST) is dedicated to providing individual attention to math and science students, and to increasing retention efforts. MaST is staffed by trained part-time tutors who offer assistance to UMKC students at no additional cost. Help is offered on a walk-in basis, by appointment, or online; students may work individually or in small groups with tutors. Textbooks and solution manuals are available. Math courses covered include Math 100, 110, 116, 120, 125, 130, 140, 206, 210, 220, and 235. Science courses covered include Biology 108 and 109, Chemistry 211 and 212, and Physics 240 and 250.

 

English Tutoring

English Tutoring supplements the services of The Writing Studio and provides support for students at every level.  Some of the services include editing, reinforcement of grammar, composition, punctuation, and spelling skills.  Assistance is available on a walk-in basis, by appointment, and online.

 

Reading Enhancement

Reading Enhancement provides students opportunities to bolster their higher level reading in order to be more successful at the University level.  Services include assessment, assistance with vocabulary and comprehension, organization of reading assignments, and managing complex reading coursework.  Help is available by appointment and in workshop format.

 

Jumpstart AmeriCorps

Jumpstart joins together dedicated college students, called Corps members, and preschool children from low-income communities.  Jumpstart AmeriCorps members have the unique opportunity to inspire young children to learn, serve in a local community, work on a team, and build professional skills. All Corps members receive professional-caliber training to help them implement Jumpstart’s outcome-based program, promote children’s school success, and become stronger citizens. Upon completion of a term of service with Jumpstart, college students receive a $1,175 Education Award from AmeriCorps.  Jumpstart is working toward the day every child in America enters school prepared to succeed.