Have Questions about First-Time Forward Programs?
Marcus A. White
Coordinator, Retention and Special Populations
mwhite9975@rcbc.edu
856-222-9311, ext. 2788
911±¬ÁÏÍø FIRST-TIME FORWARD
Welcome to RCBC! You made it here, and we want to support your college experience from now until graduation. We believe in the success of all our students and want to help you on your academic journey forward.
Mission
This initiative aims to enhance retention rates among first-time, low-income students by offering proactive support, fostering meaningful engagement, and promoting academic empowerment. This program will expand outreach efforts and introduce additional opportunities for connection, ensuring a broader impact. Low-income status will serve as a key criterion in cohort selection and in shaping programming, including the summer institute.
Purpose
This new program will incorporate additional content specifically for first-year, low-income students. The mission is centered on increasing the retention of first-time, low-income students at 911±¬ÁÏÍø through proactive support, engagement, and academic empowerment, fostering persistence beyond the first year.
Intent
This retention program aims to provide identified students with guidance and planning support to achieve their academic goals, as well as campus community support and professional development opportunities, from their first day through graduation. Building a strong foundation encourages and supports first-time, low-income students to persist through their first year and beyond.
Goals
- Foster academic and social integration from day one through graduation
- Provide comprehensive support tailored to the needs of first-time, low-income students
- Create a sense of belonging and campus connectedness within the cohort and other interested students
Summer Institute
A two-day experience providing tailored support to first-time students initiative and celebrate the start of their academic journey.
- An extended orientation program with workshops, campus tours, and community-building
- Academic learning communities grouped by interest or major
Cafe Connect
Informal sessions hosted in the cafe or lounges on campus and designed to bring resources and support staff to students. Cafe Connect provides opportunities to connect, cultivate community, and resource awareness.
- Opportunities for a one on one with the program coordinator and peer mentors
First-Time Talks
Monthly empowerment discussions on relevant first-time experiences featuring:
- Early alert and intervention systems linked to academic performance
- Monthly goal-setting and check-in events to help set goals
- Mental health workshops, mindful sessions, and well-being resources
- Ongoing referrals for students with a need for counseling services to 24/7 digital health support platforms including and 911±¬ÁÏÍø Counseling Services
First Year Considerations
Workshops dedicated to academic success strategies.
- Collaborate with tutoring and career services for the coordinator to provide two study skills and two professional development workshops each semester.
- Identify classes of cohorts to connect with professors and offer an in-person presentation.
- Faculty-led study groups and office hour incentives with professors
Leadership Development Day (Coming in the Spring.
- Build upon integral experience from last year through collaboration with Career Services and local student success experts to empower and teach students how to take initiative and use resources to excel in their academic success and professional careers journey.
Colorful Connections
Semester engagement to foster community and mentorship.
- Cultivating community with faculty, staff and students through a social mixer, culutural events, or service opportunities that connect students to clubs and activities on campus
Fall and Spring Campus Tours
Gain inspiration to transfer to a four-year institute to further your academic pursuits via a bus trip to nearby colleges and universities through RCBC.
- Meet college ambassadors and learn campus culture
- Connect with offices that support minority students
- Meet admissions teams understanding the transfer process