#act101

Retention numbers climb nearly 20% for Bloomsburg University Act 101 students

BLOOMSBURG — Students in Bloomsburg University’s Act 101 program have seen increasingly strong retention numbers over the last several years. Since 2017, Act 101 students have increased their first to second year retention rates by nearly 20 percent (45 to 63.7 percent).

The Act 101 Program is a comprehensive academic support program targeting first-generation, low-income Bloomsburg University students. Act 101 students are provided intensive, engaging, and enriching opportunities to develop the skills to help them achieve academic excellence. Students in the program come from households with incomes of double the federal poverty level or lower.

Ralph Godbolt, director of the Office of Access and Success and interim dean of students, has put a lot of hard work into helping the students.

“Our team here works hard to give these students a chance to be successful,” Godbolt said. “We provide to them the academic, cultural, and social interaction they need.”

Participants of the Act 101 program are strongly encouraged to participate in the Emerging Scholars program, a program developed and implemented by Godbolt. “The Emerging Scholars Program is a comprehensive academic support program targeting first-generation BU students who are demonstrating risk factors that will increase the likelihood of not completing a four-year college degree,” said Godbolt. “Through the Emerging Scholars Program, we provide opportunities for students to develop the skills that will assist them in achieving academic success. The success of the Emerging Scholars Program directly impacted the strong first to second year retention rates of Act 101 students.”

As part of the Emerging Scholars Program, Godbolt and his small team provide eight hours a week of study hall time, compassion-centered academic advising, and community engagement opportunities. They also provide opportunities to engage in yoga and mindfulness activities and weekly ‘rap sessions,’ where students engage in intense conversations about ongoing matters in their lives.

“The rap sessions help in building a close relationship between the student and counselor,” Godbolt said.

The Office of Access and Success oversees the Act 101 program. The office develops and implements academic, social, and cultural programming designed to assist students develop the skills necessary for college persistence and graduation.

New performance-based scholarships established for students

Bloomsburg University has announced seven new performance-based scholarships that are funded from the Joan and Fred Miller Distinguished Professor Award.

The Millers created the Distinguished Professor Award to support students’ pursuit of academic work that is outstanding in quality, socially responsible, and personally meaningful. The faculty recipient of the Distinguished Professor Award, Mary Katherine Waibel-Duncan, professor of psychology, worked with BU’s Office of Access and Success to establish the Hike! and Line Out! performance-based scholarships.

“Making a difference in the lives of young people has been a big part of Drs. Joan and Fred Miller’s focus for years and these performance-based scholarships are another way to continue their legacy at BU," said Waibel-Duncan.

To qualify for the $1,000 Line Out! scholarship, which is renewable for four semesters, a student must be an Act 101 student enrolled in the Emerging Scholars Program. The student must also participate in the Out of the Classroom: Into the Community initiative from the office of Access and Success.

BU students Daijana Applewhite, Nastalgia Jenkins, and David Wilson are the first three recipients of the scholarships.

Daijana Applewhite is a sophomore pre-social work major from Allentown. Jenkins is a senior majoring in mass communications and is a Philadelphia native. Wilson is a junior from Philadelphia, majoring in business management and information technology management.

“On behalf of the Office of Access and Success, I would like to congratulate Daijana, David and Nastalgia for receiving the inaugural Line Out! Scholarships,” said Ralph Godbolt, director of the Office of Access and Success. “These three scholars have demonstrated that with hard work, determination, and the appropriate support systems, students who may have experienced issues of academic struggle, financial challenges and family trauma can emerge as leaders and role models.”

The Hike! scholarships will be awarded to four incoming Bloomsburg University students. To qualify for the Hike! Scholarship, students must qualify for the Act 101 program, complete and application, and commit to participating in the Emerging Scholars Program and the Out of the Classroom: Into the Community initiative.

Celebrating diversity through the ‘Faces of Access and Success’

Bloomsburg University’s Office of Access and Success is presenting a photography exhibition titled “Faces of Access and Success” featuring the work of students Hamier Booker and Tirazahinna (Tu Tu) Parker, along with John Wardigo, instructor of academic enrichment.

The exhibition in being held in “The Spot,” located in the Warren Student Services Center, room 22, featuring over 45 original photographs that will remain on display until Friday, March 20. The exhibition highlights the dynamic, diverse and dedicated students of Bloomsburg University’s Act 101, Board of Governors and Emerging Scholars programs.

“Many students who are served by my office feel like they’re invisible, both on campus and sometimes in the communities in which they come from,” said Ralph E. Godbolt, director of Access and Success. “The photography of Hamier, Tu Tu and John, captures the uniqueness of our students as they go about their daily lives here at BU, as they engage in intensive community service projects in low-income communities in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, and as they demonstrate hope and resiliency daily.” 

He adds, ‘I’m in awe of the photographs, and I’m in awe by the students we serve.”

About the Artists

Booker is a second-year student majoring in mass communications, a member of the Board of Governor’s Scholarship program and the Emerging Scholars program. His photography showcases the intricacies of life.

Parker is a second-year student in the Act 101 and Emerging Scholars programs. Parker is also a member of BU’s ROTC program, with a plan on being commissioned as an officer in the United States military after graduation. One of her prized photographs is an image of City Hall in Philadelphia. She took the picture at a time when she felt that she would not have an opportunity to return to BU after her first semester.

John Wardigo ’05, M‘19 has served as a member of BU’s faculty for more than 12 years. He believes his photographic works captures the soul of the subjects in his pictures.

The power of listening

Jaison Williams ’93, is in many ways, a professional mentor. As Global Head of Talent for Fitbit, the mass communications graduate helps to identify people for leadership positions and helps people in the organization reach their fullest potential and find fulfillment through their careers.

Williams’ own experience at BU might have been cut short without mentors from the ACT 101 program. The first-generation college student shared his story and life lessons with BU students at the Husky Leadership Conference in February. Williams told the student leaders how he came to BU in the summer through the ACT 101 program.

“I took two courses that summer, and I didn’t do well in my second class,” recalled Williams. “There was a pivotal point where I may not come back in the fall. My parents, hearing this news, immediately jumped in the car, drove up to Bloomsburg, and talked to Dr. Jesse Bryan, who ran the Act 101 program, to find out what I needed to do to be successful. After that meeting, I had a very stern talking to.”

“I started listening to students who were ahead of me and had successfully begun their career at Bloomsburg, and hanging around and figuring out what specifically they were doing that was different from me,” said Williams. “Later, my parents called, and they said ‘we don’t think you’re doing enough listening in class, so we’re going to send you a tape recorder, and we want you to record your classes, and then go back and listen to them later to pick up what you may have missed.’ I learned how to listen better and parse out information.”

Energized, Williams dove into all the mass communications department had to offer. “I wrote for The Voice. I was on Bloom News. I was involved. I started the first rap radio show on WBUQ and I had the first music video show. I taught myself the work.”

After graduation, Williams earned master’s and doctoral degrees at Penn State and held positions at Cendant, American Express, Pfizer and GSK.

“I needed guidance beyond myself. So I created a board of directors who are committed to helping me be successful. Sometimes you might hear them called accountability partners. Every year, we meet— virtually, because we’re not all in the same place— and we talk about our goals for the year. What are we trying to accomplish, personally and professionally? Some of those are long-term goals; some of those are short-term goals. Every quarter, we get together and debrief on what progress we’ve made. We coach one another and try to help one another improve.”

Oh, the places you’ll go

Bloomsburg University’s Act 101/Educational Opportunity Program celebrated its 25 fall graduates, as part of the Class of 2018, with a graduation banquet in the KUB Ballroom. Irv Wright, faculty emeritus and former associate dean of academic achievement, served as keynote speaker.

Act 101/EOP, coordinated through the Department of Academic Enrichment, provides support and opportunities for success to students traditionally under-represented in higher education.

Act 101 provides access to higher education and support for highly motivated students who exhibit the potential for success, but who come from disadvantaged backgrounds and lack the educational preparation necessary to be admitted to BU.

Act 101 Graduates

Stephanie Bouffard

Jimmie Brown

Stefon Brown 

Alexys Can

Sha-ron Carr

Jessica Cesaire

Yazimirra Copper

Brianna Davis

Shameriah Diggs-Washington

Jasmine Dixon

Giuliana Doria

Alyssa Green

Sierra Griffin

Tatyanna Jamison

Abu Kaba

Jake Klinger

Amber Maxwell

Bryan McGraw

Tashae Simmons

Doronella Simon

Kenyetta Smith

Chriscene Turner

Michael Turner

Chamoya Waller

Chi Alpha Epsilon honors 14 new inductees

Bloomsburg University’s chapter of Chi Alpha Epsilon National Honor Society recently hosted an induction ceremony for 14 new members, as well as additional honors for current members with stellar academic performance.

At the ceremony the NU Chapter recognized Act 101/EOP students who earned a minimum of a 3.00 cumulative grade point average in two consecutive semesters, as a full-time student, current members who have earned pin upgrades due to an increase in their cumulative grade point average, and two honorary members.

New Inductees

Myuanna D Fitzgerald

Jasmine K Jarvis

Briel N  Lowman

Comfort N Nyesuah

Francesca L Osorio

Alexis L  Pena

Nathalia Pena

Safphyre Robert-Dollison

Nacira Scott

Southidas Soukhaphonh

Brianna M Stevens

Amanda Torres

Mukalah Upshur

Tristen Wade

Pin Upgrades

Ruby (attain a GPA between 3.5 and 3.74)

Veronica DeJesus

Jannie Johnson

Emerald (attain a GPA between 3.75 and 3.99)

Patricia Millan

Jessica Williams

New Honorary Members

Madelyn Rodriguez, director of multicultural affairs

Cassandra Sachar, assistant professor of academic enrichment

Scott Richardson, interim associate dean of academic achievement, served as keynote speaker for the ceremony. Chi Alpha Epsilon is advised by Melissa Cheese, assistant professor of reading, academic enrichment. Brandon Richardson is serving as student president.  

Chi Alpha Epsilon was formed to recognize the academic achievements of students admitted to colleges and universities through non-traditional criteria or who utilized enrichment and educational support services.