Student Success

Student success is at the heart of everything we do at Western Carolina, beginning with our admissions decisions and carrying through graduation and beyond.

The goal of the Division of Student Success is to provide the support needed to ensure each student reaches his or her academic potential, including identifying the right field of study and completing a degree that will lead to opportunities beyond WCU.

Anchors of Success

Academic Advising

Located in Killian Annex, the Advising Center offers comprehensive academic advising to undeclared and declared undergraduate students. The Center provides a holistic approach to advising by addressing students' academic and social potential. Advisors help students select proper courses, choose careers and appropriate majors, to understand university academic policies and procedures, and to cope with the transition to college.

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Career and Professional Development

WCU’s Center for Career and Professional Development works to support students in the identification and integration of career and academic goals with real-world experiences. It facilities on- and off-campus work opportunities, internships and more. They assists students in the articulation of professional competencies to succeed in post-graduate experiences.

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Finish in Four

The Finish in Four is Western Carolina University's pledge to provide students with the resources and guidance necessary to successfully complete their undergraduate degree in four years. In Finish in Four, students will work with campus professionals to create a clear roadmap for success.

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Tutoring

Western Carolina offers a Math Tutoring Center that provides drop-in tutoring as well as scheduled one-on-one sessions and workshops.

In addition, WCU’s Writing and Learning Commons provides one-on-one writing tutoring, course tutoring for small groups and workshops on writing, research and academic skills.

Tutoring Services

Office of Student Retention

The Office of Student Retention implements targeted interventions for students in need of additional support to be successful. Through collaboration with cross-campus partners, the office identifies these students and provides academic case management, advising students and connecting them with campus resources. 

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Student Transitions

Student Transitions at WCU will help you connect the pieces as you transition into college life. Our office aims to foster opportunities that will empower students to thrive in transition, as they become co-creators of their college experience. Student Transitions offers shared academic experiences for freshmen, resources for transfer students, and more.

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Mentoring and Persistence to Success

Mentoring and Persistence to Success provides comprehensive programs and holistic services designed to connect first generation, low income, and independent students with resources on campus.

We seek to empower students to achieve academic and personal goals, and guide them to graduation from Western Carolina University. Services include specialized advising, counseling, mentoring, tutoring and more.

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Office of Accessibility Resources

The Office of Accessibility Resources (OAR) is dedicated to inclusion and ensuring equal access for individuals with disabilities by providing campus-wide accessibility services and reasonable accommodations for eligible students.  The OAR partners with faculty and operates a full-scale Test Proctoring Center for students with disabilities.  Other services provided include accessible technology assistance, accommodation plans, consultation, coaching, fulfilling alternative textbook orders, training, and outreach to support campus partners and the success of students.

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High Impact Practices (HIPs)

High Impact Practices are defined by the Association of American Colleges & Universities as teaching and learning practices that have been "widely tested and [...] shown to be beneficial for college students from many backgrounds, especially historically underserved students, who often do not have equitable access to high-impact learning."  At WCU, High Impact Practices are quickly becoming a major focus in all colleges, as we seek to provide the very best experiential and classroom learning opportunities for our students. 

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