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Retention Programs

Student Academic Success Sessions

The Student Academic Success Sessions are supplemental education programs designed to impart the necessary academic skills to attendees through engaging conversation and discussion.

Note: Sessions which can be counted to meet the Health Education Requirement for general education will a notation next to them. Students must watch or attend five (5) different sessions (no duplicates) to meet the requirement.

All sessions are listed below, including a description of each and the dates they offered:

Spring 2025 SASS Sessions

Date: Jan. 20th-31st Location: Virtual (Blackboard)

Session Title: Should I visit Counseling Services?

Presenter: Adriana Givens-Keeper

Description: In this session, we'll explore SIUE Counseling Services office and the services they offer to our student body population. Students will gain a better understanding of when to seek assistance for mental health concerns and strategies to cope. This session will explain ways to connect with the office as well as supplemental materials to help during a mental health crisis. If you have ever experienced mental health concerns, you do not want to miss this session.

Date: February 4th Location: Student Success Center 0200 Time: 5-6pm

Session Title: Why Am I Here?

Presenter: Dr. Letrice Young

Description: Being in a new space can be exciting and a little bit scary at the same time. The session about "Why Am I Here?" will help you answer that question as to "Why Are You Here?" at SIU-Edwardsville. We will use your current classification as a starting point and allow it to navigate your direction into the future. It is my personal goal to equip you with some tools you will need as you continue on this academic/personal/social journey.

Date: February 19th Location: Student Success Center 0200 Time: 5-6pm

Session Title: It's not a matter of IF but WHEN

Presenter: Maddyline Ligon

Description: In this session, we'll explore how a lack of self-awareness and common communication pitfalls can spark avoidance and conflicts in our personal and professional relationships. Are you worried about emailing a professor? Stressed about addressing an issue with that friend or family member? Regretting a blow up you directed at someone you care about? We can think it through and explore practical tools to help you identify your emotions and approach tough conversations proactively. After all, feelings, miscommunication and conflict are inevitable—it's not a question of if, but when. The key is being prepared to navigate them with confidence and understanding!

Date: March 5th- March 15th: Location: Virtual (Blackboard)

Session Title: How can ACCESS help me?

Presenter: Dominic Dorsey

Description: Join the Director of ACCESS, Dominic Dorsey II as he explains all about ACCESS, the mission, vision and campus goals as well as how students receive resources and support through our office!

Date: March 19th Location: MUC- International Room Time: 5-6pm

Session Title: Gen-Z guide to combatting the need for immediate gratification

Presenter: Wyatt Bridger

Description: Students now, more than ever, live in an era where information is available at their fingertips. Everything is readily accessible, and students want immediate gratification in everything they do, media they absorb, and choices they make. In this session, we will explore how to slow things down, take your time, and get comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Date: April 8th Location: Student Success Center 0200 Time: 5-6pm

Session Title: When Life is Lif'ing Hard: Surviving and Thriving Amidst Adversity

Presenter: Leighann Fuller

Description: Life happens to us all. We cannot control much of what life throws at us, but we can control our response. We can learn healthy coping mechanisms and strategies to not only survive difficulties, but we can thrive despite challenges life throws our way. If you need encouragement and strategies to persist through difficulties, please join me for an encouraging and informative session on how to handle challenges life brings your way!

Date: April 10th -20th Location: Virtual (Blackboard)

Session Title: Acknowledging Privilege

Presenter: Meagan Arnold

Description: What is Privilege? Do I have it? How would I know? Join academic advisor Meagan Arnold as she defines privilege and how to recognize and utilize the platform of privilege to assist marginalized and disenfranchised groups.

Date: April 23rd- May 7th Location: Viirtual (Blackboard)

Session Title: Ready for Finals?

Presenters: Wyatt Bridger and Leighann Fuller

Description: During this session, the Success Coach team will provide study strategies and tips to pass your final exams. If you have been stressing out and in need of academic assistance to finish the semester strong, the Success Coach team is here for you!

All virtual sessions can be found on Blackboard ( https://bb.siue.edu). After you login to Blackboard, navigate to the Student Academic Success Sessions (SASS) organization by clicking mySIUE and then My Organizations.

Some videos may be repeated from previous semesters, please plan accordingly to watch five different videos if you are trying to receive credit. Also, please consult your advisor about needing to complete a health credit or not!

Data on who has watched the videos is pulled weekly. Please allow some time for our data analytics to upload that information.

If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Kelly Atkins, Asst. Director of Student Success.

Spring 2021 SASS Archive

Stress and Time Management | Live Zoom | Jan. 28th at 12pm CST
Presented by Dawn Huckelberry
*Session is very interactive. Please also download the handouts below. Understanding COVID-19 | Available Jan. 29th- Feb. 5th
Presented by Public Health Seniors & Riane Greenwalt Self Care | Available Feb. 5th-12th
Presented by Alyssa Loman Something to Chew on: Essentials of Meal Planning | Feb. 26th-Mar. 5th
Presented by Dr. Brenda Klostermann Benefits of Mindfulness | Available Mar. 5th-12th
Presented by Gretchen Fricke & Dr. Wendy Weber General Well Being | Available Mar. 12th-19th
Presented by Barry McClintock Resilience | Live Zoom | Available Mar. 17th at 12pm CST
Presented by Dr. Courtney Boddie Grief | Available Mar. 19th-Apr. 2nd
Presented by Katie Kirby Progressive Muscle Relaxation | Available Apr. 2nd-9th
Presented by Barry McClintock Self Care in a Virtual World | Available Apr. 12th-Apr. 16th
Presented by CS Senior Staff

Summer 2021 SASS Archive

How to Learn | July 1st-9th Understanding Covid | July 12th-21st
Previously offered Jan. 29th-Feb. 5th, 2021 Something to Chew On | July 22nd-30th
Previously offered Feb. 26th-Mar. 5th, 2021

Fall 2021 SASS Archive

Self-Care in a Virtual World - The world we live in today, we are surrounded by technology and all that comes with it. There is this feeling that it won't change anytime soon. Here are some tips and tricks to take care of yourself outside of the virtual world.

How To Learn - Need help on how to study and study efficiently? This session might just be for you!

Synchronizing Your Priorities - Do your priorities seem to be all over the place? Take the time to get them in order now!

Combating Zoom Fatigue - Too many Zoom meetings? We feel you! Here are some tips to make them a little better!

Social Anxiety in a Post-COVID World – If you’re feeling like your social skills have gotten a little rusty during the COVID-19 pandemic, you’re not alone. As social distancing restrictions loosen and more people become fully vaccinated, social anxiety is increasingly common – and totally normal.

Oct. 18th-29th: A Cougar’s Guide to Sexual Communication & Consent - When it comes to sex, consent should always be clear, knowing, and voluntary. People communicate about sex in different ways. If you are not sure if you have voluntary consent, please watch the following video.

Nov. 1st-12th: Mindfulness - Life is crazy. We work, go to school, may take care of family members, have a family of our own and just in general always have a lot going on. Learning how to be mindful might be worth your time!

Nov. 15th-26th: Sleep Hygiene - Sleep plays an integral role in health. A good night’s sleep empowers the body to recover and lets you wake up refreshed and ready to take on the day. Learn how to make healthy sleepy habits.

Nov. 29th-Dec. 10th: Accessible Campus Community and Equitable Student Support (ACCESS) – Come and learn what all our ACCESS office has to offer and provide to our SIUE students.

Spring 2022 SASS Archive

Jan. 24th- Feb. 4th: Laura Baker- College Students & Mental Health
Feb. 7th - Feb. 18th: Alpona Stamboldjiev & Mark Schoenherr- Utilizing good practice Univ. Systems
Feb. 21st-Mar. 4th: Dawn Huckelberry- Time Management
Mar. 7th- Mar. 18th: Amy Nusser -Culture Shock
Mar. 21st - Apr. 1st: Denise Petty & Nathan Brown- March Motivation
Apr. 4th - Apr. 15th: Public Health Seniors- Mental Health in Students in the COVID 19 Pandemic
Apr. 18th - Apr. 29th: TBD- Finals Preparation

No events scheduled at this time.