WASHINGTON, PA (August 7, 2017)—This fall, students will have a new support system as they matriculate to Washington & Jefferson College (W&J).
The Division of Student Life is introducing two brand-new Student Success Consultant positions to offer first year students additional support as they adjust to college life.
Vice President of Student Life and Dean of Students Eva Chatterjee-Sutton has experienced the overwhelmingly positive impact this type of position can have for incoming students.
“I have seen the value of a professional dedicated to serving first year students as they transition to college life. That person really becomes their guide through the first year,” she said.
The positions were created with the understanding that when it comes to problem solving for students, there isn’t a “one size fits all” solution. Instead, this aims to personalize available resources.
“The anxiety a student comes to college with about transition doesn’t all happen right away. They can experience that anxious moment when they first arrive on campus, a few weeks into the semester, or even in November when they’re preparing for finals,” Chatterjee-Sutton said. “Having staff members who are dedicated to that transitional moment and to being a support, an advocate and a connector for those students really changes their experience and alleviates that stress.”
Each Student Success Consultant will be assigned 10 sections of first year seminars (FYS) and work with students in those classes, meeting individually three times in a semester to support the students’ acclimation to College. Topics like navigating the campus, engaging with College resources and staff, getting involved in campus activities and reducing communication barriers will be covered. Group sessions with other members of their FYS will help students connect with each other.
The consultants also will have open office hours when students can drop by and ask questions without needing an appointment.
Current staff members Tyler Tenney and Jill Gregory will transition into the Student Success Consultant roles and use their extensive W&J knowledge to give students the best aid possible.
“It’s really great for our first year students to have that expertise at their disposal, and I’m so excited to see how it grows,” Chatterjee-Sutton said.
About Washington & Jefferson College
Washington & Jefferson College, located in Washington, Pa., is a selective liberal arts college founded in 1781. Committed to providing each of its students with the highest-quality undergraduate education available, W&J offers a traditional arts and sciences curriculum emphasizing interdisciplinary study and independent study work. For more information about W&J, visit washjeff.dev, or call 888-W-AND-JAY.
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