The Student Support Services Program seeks to maximize the college experiences of eligible participants by enhancing learning and personal development with the ultimate goal of college graduation.

Counseling
It is not unusual for students to have issues or concerns sometime or other during their college career. As an additional resource to the Counseling Services on campus, counseling is available in the Student Support Services office to assist students with academic, personal, financial, career and adjustment issues.

Cultural Enrichment
Throughout the year, Student Support Services will offer its participants tickets to events of cultural significance. In the past, tickets have been offered to theatre productions like Les Miserables and Miss Saigon, the ballet, and art exhibits.

Courses
We offer academic enrichment courses in mathematics, study skills, reading and critical thinking, and writing. We also offer a course in the development of “soft skills,” personal skills which allows a student to succeed in business and the classroom. All SSS classes meet in our own computer classroom and encourage students to integrate technology into their academic life.

Career Mentoring
Student Support Services provides a mentoring program which involves linking a student with a faculty member, administrator, or off-campus professional familiar with the student’s major and career interest. The program, through the interaction of mentor and student, provides the student with helpful career information such as the following:
• Required preparation
• Job Opportunities
• Responsibilities
• Answers to other questions the student may have
This program is beneficial in helping students gain a clear, realistic understanding of their chosen career. Participation in this program requires some academic qualifications.

Tutoring
Student Support Services provides peer tutoring for 100 and 200 level term courses and for developmental mathematics. We offer drop-in tutorials in the library for our most frequently tutored courses. Students can set up individual appointments for tutoring in other classes.

Financial Aid
Student Support Services has a limited amount of money to offer eligible freshmen and sophomores. This money can be added to the package calculated for each student by the Financial Aid Office. Qualified students will be notified by mail and given instructions on how to apply.

LAUNCH Club
The Launch Club (Learning, Achievement, Uniqueness, Network, Camaraderie, Hope) is open to anyone who is part of Student Support Services. The group will work on projects like planning cultural enrichment activities, organizing a campus wide multicultural event, and planning activities and programs. In addition, the group will provide recommendations on new services and programs that will benefit students. It provides new skills that can be useful on a resume.

Contact Us
Contact us at any of the phone numbers listed or by e-mail: marilee.thomas@briarcliff.edu.

Disability Services
The Student Support Services office provides accommodations for students with disabilities. To obtain this service, students must make an appointment with the director to submit documentation, talk abut the disability, and discuss the accommodations needed. Ideally, this should be done as soon as the student knows he/she will be attending Briar Cliff University because some accommodations require more lead time to provide. See the student disability handbook for more detailed information. Contact Sr. Jean Beringer by phone at 712-279-5232, or by e-mail at jean.beringer@briarcliff.edu.