Retention Specialist Hired for UAM-CTC and UAM-CTM Campuses

Contributing Writer

   Keeping students in school takes an effort, which has grown from the University of Arkansas – Monticello campus to the UAM College of Technology- McGehee and UAM College of Technology - Crossett campuses.

   Heather Groleske, Retention Specialist, heads the effort, which could help nearly 350 at-risk technical students remain in college and finish with certification or a degree.

   UAM hired Groleske after they received the Carl D. Perkins Educational Improvement grant earlier this year. Groleske, also a UAM student, attends classes full-time at UAM on Tuesdays and Thursdays.

   Retaining students during their freshmen year is often difficult and the grant is part of an effort to provide services, which can help students achieve their educational goal.

  Students often have difficulty making the transition from high school to college, and many lack the basic skills for core curriculum classes. Often, their failure results in them dropping out of college and entering the job market unprepared in any fashion.

   Groleske will be offering seminars to help student including; note-taking skills, handling time wisely, stress management techniques and others topics. Some basic skills tutoring and other similar help will also be provided.

   “We want to help students obtain their goals which will lead to self-sufficiency,” Groleske said.  

   Help for technical students will not end as they progress through their classes, and workshops are being planned now to implement further in the school year, which will help these same students obtain gainful employment.

   “We’ll be offering seminars and tips on resume writing, interview tips, writing cover letters and follow-up ‘thank-you’ notes,” Groleske said.

  The McGehee and Crossett campuses offer similar certifications and degrees for those who have taken a vocational route for their higher education.

   Students can earn certification and degrees in Welding, as a paramedic, a practical nurse, in Health Information technology, in Administration/Office technology, Hospitality and other areas.

    “We need to retain students until they complete their programs and I feel that we have the right person to do just that,” Bob Ware, vice chancellor of the UAM-CTM campus said.  “Groleske has the drive, the attitude and the know how to reach students when they need help.”

   More than 300 students and all the staff members will have the opportunity to work with Groleske at both the McGehee and Crossett campuses throughout the year.

   Linda Rushing, vice-chancellor of the UAM CTC campus said they look forward to working with Groleske as they continue with their efforts to increase student retention.

  “Although the three UAM campuses have already implemented strategies and activities to address the issue of retention, having someone dedicated solely to retention is going to be a tremendous asset, “ Rushing said. “We want to better identify and expand our resources in order to help our students successfully complete their education.  Of course, the most important component of any retention effort is CARE—something that UAM has for its students.”

   Groleske can be contacted via email at groleskeh@uamont.edu or by calling her office at (870) 222-5360, extension 5265.

Have a comment? Please e-mail us.

©The Voice 2009