Week 7: Center for Student Success

Issue #7

Center for Student Success

---

Welcome to the Class of 2028+!

by Dean of Student Success, Harmony Morel

Welcome, Class of 2028+! My name is Dean Morel, the Dean of Student Success at Oberlin College and Conservatory. The Center for Student Success is the central hub for support on campus. Our goal is to help you make the most of your time here through services such as Success Coaching, courses in the Learning Enhancement Across
the Disciplines (LEAD) program, CliftonStrengths programming, and First-Generation and Income-Eligible support services.

We are excited to welcome you to Oberlin and to support you throughout your college journey! In the meantime, we invite you to explore the support services available at the Center for Student Success by visiting our website and following us on Instagram. If you have any questions or want to connect with us before your arrival, feel free to contact us at css@oberlin.edu.

We look forward to meeting you soon!

Dean Harmony Morel

‌Success Coaching

Success Coaching is an asset-based Oberlin resource, available to all students, that assists you in identifying opportunities for enhancing your college experience while proactively planning for potential stressors. Coaches work alongside students to co-create success plans that are individualized to you and cover a range of academic, personal, and professional goals. Schedule your summer and fall appointments today!

New this summer, CSS is offering Virtual Summer Sessions where you can meet your success coach and reflect on how your assets can help you transition to life at Oberlin! Session registration is currently open and you can choose from the dates and times below.

1. Parent/Support System Only Session: Monday, July 8, 8 - 9 p.m. EST
2. Student Session Option 1: Wednesday, July 10, 7 - 8 p.m. EST
3. Student Session Option 2: Thursday, July 18, 8 - 9 p.m. EST

3 Success Coaching Fun Facts:

• Last year, Obies met with success coaches over 600 times!
• Coaching reaches beyond Oberlin! Success Coaching is available virtually and in-person with coaches regularly meeting with students studying abroad and during semester breaks.
• Oberlin won the Success Coaching Program of the Year Award at the NASPA 2024 Annual Conference.

What does an asset-based approach mean?

An asset-based approach focuses on applying your natural skills and abilities to plan and achieve your goals as well as engage effectively with others. Once you know your assets, you can activate a growth mindset to further refine those talents. One tool that can help you to identify your assets is the CliftonStrengths assessment. Check out our website to learn more about CliftonStrengths.

You are invited to complete the CliftonStrengths assessment. You’ll receive an email directly from Gallup with a hyperlinked “Get Started” button that will redirect you to complete the assessment. Remember: only YOU can use this unique link; links cannot be shared.

Planning to attend the CSS Virtual Summer Sessions? You’ll want to complete the assessment as soon as possible to get the most out of those conversations. We’ll also be discussing your results during Orientation, so please complete the assessment by no later than Monday, August 19 for maximum participation at Orientation.

Once you’ve taken the assessment, you’ll get a personalized report from Gallup on all of your Top Five Strengths. Take a few minutes to read through your report to see what resonates with you and what you have questions about. Then, share your thoughts with us via Digication; click here for instructions.

Learning Enhancement Across the Disciplines (LEAD)

Are you ready to build new skills for success? Register for a Learning Enhancement Across the Disciplines (LEAD) course!

LEAD courses are:

• Taught by instructors across campus with different areas of expertise;
• Offered in full-semester, single-module, and individual-study modes; and
• Open to students of all class years who are pursuing a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Music, or Double Degree Program degree.

The LEAD Department takes a holistic approach to student success, offering co-curricular skills-based experiential courses aimed at helping students build and develop skills for self-defined success.

By enhancing student’s understanding of the learning processes and practices that are most effective for them, LEAD classes empower students to approach their education across academic disciplines with greater independence, satisfaction, and success as learners.

First-Generation and Income-Eligible (FGIE) Support

Are you a first-generation (first in your family to attend or graduate from college) or income-eligible Obie? You’re not alone! Oberlin College and Conservatory has a strong community of first-generation and income-eligible (FGIE) students, staff, and faculty on campus. Between social events, co-curricular learning opportunities, and peer-to-peer support programs, you’ll be surrounded by people who understand the challenges of being an FGIE student - and they’ll help make your transition from high school to college as easy as possible. You can learn more about first-generation and income-eligible student support on the CSS website.

‌Student Success Leadership Council (SSLC)

The Student Success Leadership Council (SSLC) is a dedicated group of students who want to support success initiatives on campus. They work in conjunction with CSS to offer student perspective, innovative ideas, and helping hands. To learn more about the council, visit this website.

What Students Are Saying About CSS!

• “I appreciate success coaching, not only as a resource to improve my performance academically, I also appreciate it as a way to constructively discuss my struggles in school. It has been great for reducing my stress about college and making it feel more approachable.” - Oberlin Student, Class of ‘27
• “I was kind of surprised by my CliftonStrengths results at first, but after reading my report, I found that they made sense and were accurate. One tool in the toolbox!” - Oberlin Student, Class of ‘24
• “I think [LEAD] helped me overall in gaining more skills and knowledge on how to handle my goals and priorities.” - LEAD Student
• “The BGM Scholar program has given me a huge sense of community; I feel like I belong.” - BGM Scholar, Class of ‘27

‌Engage With Us!

1. Success Coaching:

• Meet the success coaches and discuss your assets during the CSS Summer Virtual Sessions (registration required - see above).

• Visit with your coach and the entire CSS team on Sunday, August 25, from 12 - 2 p.m. at the CSS Open House during Orientation!

• Schedule your summer and/or fall success coaching appointments.

2. CliftonStrengths:

• Watch the CliftonStrengths video.
   
• Complete your CliftonStrengths assessment.
   
• Share your reflection via Digication.

3. Learning Enhancement Across the Disciplines (LEAD):

• Enroll in a LEAD course to build and enhance your skills for success. Full course listing found in the catalog.

4. First Generation & Income-Eligible (FGIE) Students:

• Attend the Virtual Peer Mentor Meet and Greet on Tuesday, July 23 at 7 p.m. EST. Peer Mentors are returning FGIE students trained to support you during your first year on campus!
   
• FGIE students and their families are invited to the FGIE Welcome Reception on Sunday, August 25 at noon in the Hotel at Oberlin ballroom for a light lunch and community gathering. Please RSVP for the reception by Wednesday, August 14.