Our Goal: Student Success
Student Persistence and Success brings together the people, services and systems that help SIUE students move successfully from admission to graduation. Our teams work collaboratively to ensure students are placed appropriately, advised early, supported academically and connected to the resources they need to stay on track.
Whether a student is preparing for their first semester, navigating academic challenges, or working toward timely degree completion, this division provides coordinated support through Academic Success , First Year Advising, Academic Testing and Learning Support Services (LSS).
Each area plays a distinct role, but all share a common focus on improving student progression, retention, and completion.
Academic Success
Academic Success at SIUE is dedicated to fostering a Culture of Care, ensuring that every student has the support and resources needed to thrive both academically and personally. Our initiatives focus on three key pillars: Cougar P.R.E.P., the Summer Success Program, and Success Coaching, all designed to promote persistence, growth and achievement from the first semester through graduation.
Through collaboration with various university offices and individualized academic planning, students work with an advocate who guides them through challenges and helps them stay on track each semester. Additionally, Student Academic Success Sessions (SASS), housed within the Academic Success department, are available to all SIUE students, offering targeted workshops and support to enhance academic performance and overall success.
Academic Testing
Academic Testing provides guidance on proper course placement to support student success, which includes helping students save time and money by facilitating appropriate credit-by-examination opportunities.
First-Year Advising
First-Year Advising supports undergraduate students as they navigate the early stages of their academic journey. Through personalized advising, students gain a clear understanding of general education requirements, explore and select an appropriate course of study and develop a realistic plan for timely graduation. At SIUE, academic advising is a required and integral part of the undergraduate experience for all degree-seeking students through graduation, ensuring that students receive consistent guidance and support.
First-Year Advising also serves as a key first-year and transitional resource, connecting students to the SIUE community, essential campus services and the confidence they need to take charge of their academic path. Our advisors play a central role in this process by providing mentorship, support and expert guidance to help students make informed decisions, overcome challenges and achieve their academic and professional goals. We ensure that every student starts strong, stays on track and succeeds at SIUE!
Learning Support Services
Learning Support Services (LSS) provides free peer-to-peer course-specific tutoring. In addition to tutoring classes, such as math and science, LSS is also the home of The Writing Center and the Supplemental Instruction (SI) program.
