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Academics

Academic Success Center

The Academic Success Center is a group of staff representing nine programs and services that works collaboratively to support students toward their academic success and assist students to achieve their Fitchburg State University degree.

Our collective approach is pro-active and student centered. We utilize the resources of the Fitchburg State University community of students, faculty and staff to encourage the development of the whole person.

We encourage students to use our programs and services and realize how the Center staff can assist them to achieve their goals.

Do you prefer to receive this information in an alternate format, such as Braille or e-text? Please contact Disability Services at 978-665-4020.

Academic Advising Center 

Donna Foley - Director
978-665-3319
dfoley@fitchburgstate.edu
Heather Beam - Academic Advisor
978-665-3321
hbeam@fitchburgstate.edu

The Academic Advising Center specializes in assisting students with various academic concerns. The Advising Center provides services for students who have not declared their major, students who are experiencing academic difficulty, students in need of assistance with academic regulations, and students seeking credit for their life experience. The Academic Advising Center advises all pre-major students. The “Focus on the Future” program offers individualized academic advising services that assist pre-major students in their process of determining a major. The Advising Center is also a vital resource for faculty. Visit our website to view the Four Year Plans of Study.

Eligibility: All registered pre-major students, students on academic probation or suspension, and non-traditional students seeking life experience credit.
Location: Hammond Building – 1st Floor, Room 122
Availability: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.


Career center

Erin C. Kelleher, M.Ed. - Director
978-665-3150
ekelleher@fitchburgstate.edu
Diane Maynard - Administrative Assistant
978-665-3151
dmaynard@fitchburgstate.edu

The Career Center provides a variety of programs and services to assist students and alumni in planning for career decisions during and after Fitchburg State. Students receive counseling on choosing a career, internship planning, job search, occupational information and selecting a graduate school or professional program. Programs and services include: career counseling, graduate school advisement, career assessment/interest inventories and on-campus and off campus career events.

Eligibility: All Fitchburg state University students and alumni
Location: Hammond Building (Library) – 2nd Floor - Rooms 215 & 216
Availability: Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (Evening hours by appointment only)

Counseling Services

Robert Hynes, Ph.D., LMHC - Director
rhynes@fitchburgstate.edu
Elizabeth Fineberg, LICSW - Associate Director
efineberg@fitchburgstate.edu
Erin Travia, MA, LMHC - Assistant Director
etravia@fitchburgstate.edu
Rose Marshall - Office Manager
rmmarshall@fitchburgstate.edu
978-665-3152

The Counseling Services Office provides confidential services to enrolled students at no charge. Clinicians are available for individual, group, and couples counseling, crisis intervention, educational programming, outreach workshops, community referrals and in-service training. Typical reasons for seeking counseling include: coping with loss, relationship concerns, loneliness/homesickness, self-esteem problems, family problems, sexuality issues, feelings of depression or anxiety, and stress.

Eligibility: All enrolled students.
Location: Recreation Center
Availability: Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m., Walk-In Hours, 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

On-call response (for emergencies) 24 hours a day during regular academic year. (Call Campus Police Department after hours at Ext. 3111 or 978-665-3111)

Disability Services

Julie Maki - Coordinator
978-665-3427
jmaki@fitchburgstate.edu
Francine Menendez-Aponte - Coordinator of Interpreter Services
978-665-3562
fmaponte@fitchburgstate.edu
Katrina Durham - Coordinator Adaptive Computer Lab & Testing Center
978-665-3562
kdurham1@fitchburgstate.edu

Cristy Guy - Secretary

Disability Services is the primary support system for students with disabilities taking classes in the day and evening division. The objective of Disability Services is to promote independence, build skills, and facilitate achievement of educational goals for individuals with disabilities. To be eligible for academic accommodations students must request services themselves and must provide appropriate documentation to support the need for such services. Requests for accommodations must be made in a timely manner and must be reasonable given the nature of the disability. For additional information about how to register with the office for services, please visit the department website at:

Services & Accommodations

Some examples of services and academic accommodations are listed below.
Please note that this is not a comprehensive list of services.

  • Adaptive software and computer equipment
  • Testing accommodations (for example, extended time testing)
  • Alternate format materials (for example, Braille or electronic text)
  • Assistive listening devices
  • Sign language interpreters
  • Reduced course load
  • Skill-building workshops and coaching

Please note: Students are responsible for scheduling out of classroom testing (i.e. time and a half, non-distractive environment) at least one week prior to the date of the exam. If you have already registered with the office and need to schedule a test with Disability Services, email us at testing@fitchburgstate.edu

Accessible Technology

Disability Services also is host to the Adaptive Technology Lab. The lab is located on the third floor of the Hammond Building and includes a variety of technology resources that are available for use by students, faculty and staff. Some examples of software, equipment and services available through the lab include:

  • Text to speech software (screen readers)
  • Screen magnification software
  • CCTV (for magnification of text)
  • Organizational software
  • Voice recognition software
  • Alternate input devices
  • Adapted keyboards
  • Ergonomic workstation

Eligibility: All registered students with a documented disability. Location: Library 3rd floor, room 308 Availability: Mon - Fri. 8:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.,

Expanding Horizons Program

Director - To be determined soon
978-665-4613
@fitchburgstate.edu
Elizabeth Swartz - Program Support
978-665-3064
eswartz1@fitchburgstate.edu
Ashley Tetreault, B.S. - Career & Peer Mentor Coordinator
978-665-3373
atetrea1@fitchburgstate.edu
Sarah J. Sadowski, MA - Academic Counselor
978-665-3064
ssadows2@fitchburgstate.edu

The Expanding Horizons Program endeavors to create a smaller learning environment within the larger campus community. The Expanding Horizons staff works with students to facilitate the adjustment to university life and to enhance their ability to attain their fullest academic potential and propensity for personal growth.

  • Support of Peer Mentors (Upper class EHP students)
  • Extended pre-semester orientation for eligible freshmen and transfer students
  • Individualized academic assessment
  • Academic counseling, including study skills and time management skills training
  • Pre-advising for course selection
  • Personal problem solving
  • Peer tutors in mathematics courses and other subjects
  • Mid-semester progress reports from faculty
  • Professional tutor in writing
  • Career counseling, including resume development / preparation
  • Informational seminars
  • Social and cultural activities and events

  • Use of EHP office and computer lab

  • Financial aid advising and financial counseling

 

Eligibility: All registered undergraduate students who are either first-generation to attend a university (neither parent has obtained a baccalaureate degree), and/or low-income and/or student with a documented disability.
Location: Percival -B06 Bottom Floor
Availability: Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (other evening hours by appointment)

International Education

To be named - Director
978-665-3599
Tracey Sarefield - Study Abroad Advisor
978-665-3089
tsarefie@fitchburgstate.edu
Rachel Pianta - Administrative Assistant
978-665-3089
rpianta@fitchburgstate.edu

The Office of International Education provides a number of services including-

      • Study Abroad Opportunities- Fitchburg State students have the opportunity to study in another country for a semester or a year. Extremely affordable programs are offered in several locations including the U.K., Australia, China and Spain.
      • Support for Int’l Students-International students can receive assistance with immigration issues, academic concerns, employment information, and personal issues. Orientation, newsletters, and social programs help aid with international students’ transitions.
      • Global Education-Campus-wide events are offered throughout the academic year to promote cross-cultural awareness on campus. Students can learn more about life in other countries without ever leaving campus.

Eligibility- All registered students
Location- Conlon Industrial Arts - Room 220
Availability- Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

Math Center

Thomas Rousseau, M.Ed. - Assistant Dean of Academic Support Services
978-665-3499
trousseau@fitchburgstate.edu

The Math Center offers peer tutors who specialize in one-on-one tutoring on a walk-in basis. Tutoring is available for fundamentals of arithmetic and algebra through upper-level mathematics courses. Peer tutors focus on effective learning strategies that develop students understanding and skill. A listing of the tutors’ subject specialties, as well as their hours, is posted at the Math Center and on the website.

Eligibility- All registered students
Location- 3rd floor Library
Availability- Mon & Tues- 11:00AM - 8:30 p.m. Wed & Thurs - 11:00AM-7:30PM Fri - 11:00AM-3:00PM
Office Hours- Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Multicultural Student Services and ACCESS

Jamie Cochran - Coordinator
jcochran@fitchburgstate.edu
Sandra Ciccone - Administrative Assistant
sciccone2@fitchburgstate.edu
978-665-3399

Multicultural Student Services and the ACCESS program develop a supportive community of learners where students feel comfortable, respected, appreciated and challenged to be academic high achievers. Both Multicultural Student Services and the ACCESS program services include- academic assessment, personal, financial and career support. Other services involve – mid-semester progress report review, pre-advising, study/learning strategies and tutorial services. The staff also makes referrals to other support services to assist students with their academic achievement. Students enrolled in the program are expected to meet with their program counselor at least three times each semester, attend monthly meetings and activities and utilize other appropriate services as needed.

Multicultural Student Services promotes a university-wide program of cultural activities designed to contribute to a positive campus culture of appreciation and respect for differences. The staff collaborates with other support services, faculty and staff in the planning of multicultural awareness events. The staff supports and encourages students to develop leadership skills through participation in student organizations such as the Black and Latin American Student Unions.

Eligibility- All students are eligible for Multicultural Student Services.
ACCESS Program students must be Massachusetts residents and meet one of the following criteria: low-income, students with disabilities and students of underrepresented racial groups.
Location- Conlon Industrial Arts - Room 345
Availability- Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Tutor Center

Thomas Rousseau, M.Ed. - Assistant Dean of Academic Support Services
978-665-4136
trousseau@fitchburgstate.edu
Thomas Driscoll, M.Ed. - Academic Counselor
978-665-4035
tdrisco1@fitchburgstate.edu
Denise Hampson - Secretary
978-665-3499
dhampson@fitchburgstate.edu

Overview of Tutorial Services

The Tutor Center’s sixty peer tutors offer free individual peer tutoring, in eighty subjects, representing nineteen majors serving freshman to seniors. Most students use tutoring services because they want to earn great grades and reduce the likelihood of struggling within a particularly challenging course. Certainly, no one thinks less of students who ask for help. Most often students “spread the word” to their classmates regarding how tutoring has helped them improve their grades.

Our goals are to improve students’ academic achievement, ability to learn, to apply knowledge and to help students develop critical thinking skills. Students become more self-confident and self-directed learners because of their tutorial relationship. Tutors meet with students in the library and are available by appointment seven days a week at mutually agreeable times during the day, evening or weekends.

Why use Tutor Center Services?

Most college students realize that the study methods that they used in high school do not work as well in college. Some students also acknowledge that they really did not have to study very much to do well in high school and quickly realize that, in college, they must learn to use more effective study methods that can help them balance their multiple academic, work, social and family responsibilities. Most college students experience academic challenges related to the change in-

  • instructional practices
  • greater amount of topics to be learned
  • the fast pace that topics are presented
  • greater emphasis on student responsibility for independent study
  • an emphasis on demonstrating higher order thinking skills – application, analysis, synthesis and evaluation questions through class discussions, tests and writing assignments

Tutors are Qualified

Students selected to become peer tutors demonstrate excellent communication skills, have an overall GPA of 3.0 or better and have earned a grade of 3.3 or higher in the subjects that they tutor. Tutors complete a ten-hour Tutor Training Seminar and have learned to apply the research based knowledge and skills of effective tutoring and integrate learning principles and strategies within each tutoring session.

The Fitchburg State University Tutor Center meets the prestigious College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) “International Tutor Program Certification” status. The Tutor Center earned five-year re-certification, from July 1, 2012 to June 30, 2017, and is authorized to award Peer Tutor Certification to tutors who meet the CRLA standards for selection, training, evaluation and experience.

Individual Tutoring

Tutoring sessions focus on reviewing and explaining concepts and specific topics. Tutors also introduce study and learning methods that assist students to develop new habits for learning. Students can request a peer tutor who they can study with twice weekly. On average 850 students each year use one or more of the twenty plus tutoring services available to assist them to develop their study habits, improve their understanding of topics and concepts, prepare for tests, and increase their grades.

To request a tutor please visit or call the Tutor Center to make a 20 minute appointment or complete the “request a tutor” form online at Request For Tutoring. Students benefit most from tutoring by requesting a tutor within the first five weeks of the semester and study with the tutor twice weekly.

Writing Tutoring

Individual peer tutoring for writing assignments in any subject is also available by request. With a focus on clear communication, the peer tutors work together with writers at all levels, in all stages of the writing process from planning, drafting, revising, editing and proofreading. Each meeting begins in the same manner with a discussion of the assignment. What happens next depends on where the student is in the writing process and what their needs are. Tutors do not write on or edit the students’ papers. The student is the author, problems are addressed together, but the student makes the final writing decisions. Further information on the writing process and writing resources can be found at Writing center.

Learning Strategy Sessions

Mr. Rousseau provides individual Study and Learning Strategy Sessions. During 2009-2010 he tutored one hundred and thirty students and helped them develop improved learning methods. Students are assisted to design a study plan that builds effective learning habits, long-term memory and improved reading, note-taking and test-taking skills.

Request an appointment and bring your syllabus, course text/books and class notes. You will maximize your time as we study together a topic you need to know before the next class. As we study together you will be introduced to and practice new study methods that will improve your comprehension, long-term memory, test preparation and even save you time studying. The end result is that you can earn better grades and maximize your learning by consistently applying these new methods that are the best fit for your learning style and the course requirements.

Group Tutoring Two group tutoring services are available they are-

Supplemental Instruction (SI)- SI Study Groups after each class are offered for selected courses. A Tutor trained in research based supplemental instruction methods selects activities to enhance students’ learning of the traditionally difficult topics from each lesson. Students are notified in their class if a Supplemental Instruction Study Group is scheduled for their class.
Group Tutoring- Group Tutoring usually occurs once a week. This service provides a peer tutor trained in effective study group processes. If you are studying with a group of three to five students, you may request a peer facilitator who will attend your group for up to 14 hours for the semester. Also the Tutor Center may also create study groups depending upon the amount of students requesting individual tutoring in a particular subject. The peer facilitator’s goal is to maximize each members learning and critical thinking through group discussion and supplemental instruction activities.
Academic Success Seminars- to save time studying and earn good grades!

Learning research based college study methods will save you time studying and maximize your learning. Attending these one-hour Seminars will provide you with specific step-by-step actions and initial practice with the study method. The success you realize will motivate you to further develop these effective learning principles and strategies into habits that will help you get the results that you want.

The seminar topics are-

  • Cognitive Learning Style – Use it to your Advantage;
  • Learning Principles;
  • Discover Your Strengths;
  • Time Management & Goal Setting - Habits for Learning;
  • Learning from Text books;
  • Develop your Note Taking Skills;
  • Re-Writing Notes to Maximize Learning;
  • Multiple Choice Test Taking Skills.

Students gain the most from the Academic Success Seminars in groups of 2-5 students. Invite a study partner and classmates to join you to request one or more of the Academic Success Seminars at the Tutor Center.

MTEL Test Preparation

The MTEL Communication and Literacy Skills Test Preparation Seminar facilitated by professional instructors along with peer tutors, who have passed the test, assist students to prepare for the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL). Students can enroll in this six session, twelve hour Seminar, (offered in October, February and June,) through the Course Registration process using web4.fitchburgstate.edu.

Eligibility- All registered students
Location-3rd floor Library, room 310
Office Hours- Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Availability- Tutors meet with students in the library and are available by appointment seven days a week at mutually agreeable times during the day, evening or weekends.