Student Support at UNM-Gallup

UNM GALLUP When students start their college journey, they can sometimes be surprised at the intensity of the coursework, as well as the expectations regarding time management, study skills, and workloads. Student service experts on the UNM-Gallup campus know that college can be challenging for students both in and out of the classroom, so there are many resources available to help navigate this next step in their education. In addition to trained advisors, financial aid experts, qualified and caring tutors and a wide range of other student support options, UNM-Gallup is also home to the Accessibility Resource Center (ARC). The ARC is managed by Student Success Specialist Mary Lou Mraz who deals exclusively with a population of students who have disabilities that can include vision, hearing, mobility, learning, mental or emotional impairments. Students who have documented disabilities have access to services that can equalize their opportunities and make learning easier for them. The ARC, which serves approximately 115130 students at a time, offers both human resources and specialized equipment designed to improve access to campus classes and services. Examples include employees who can accompany students to class, take notes, and act as readers. As part of specific classroom accommodations, the ARC can ask that lectures and assignments be put into writing and that students have extra time or a distraction-free environment in which to take tests.

Equipment aids include a variety of video magnifiers that assist sight-impaired students. Both desktop and portable options give students the opportunity to read magnified lecture notes, textbooks, and academic or research documents. Other technical enhancements include scanners

Spotlight on Accessibility Resource Center

UNM GALLUP that digitize text and read it back to students. Services for students who have hearing impairments include amplification devices which can wirelessly tie into a student’s hearing aids. Mraz provides a copy of each student’s accommodation plan to their instructors each semester to allow for maximum accessibility. Mraz notes, “In addition to our student workers in ARC, we also have an excellent response from the on-campus Center for Academic Learning. Their tutors meet one-on-one with students to help with test-taking skills and can give students the opportunity to navigate through hypothetical assignments or offer tips on the mechanics of essay-writing.” Feelings of being overwhelmed are common, especially among new college students. In a recent Chronicle of Higher Education report (Lipka, February 9, 2018), it was noted that more than 40% of college freshmen say they feel overwhelmed with all they have to do. This compares to less than 20% in 1985. This is another area where the ARC staff can be of assistance to students. According to Mraz, “Learning disabilities, depression, or anxiety can be quite disabling and can greatly impact a student’s ability to be successful.” To address this need, UNM-Gallup recently partnered with the University of New Mexico Student Health and Counseling department (SHAC) to offer tele-therapy services. Through collaboration with Dr. Stephanie McIver, Director of Counseling and Therapy at SHAC, students at UNM-Gallup have access to private and confidential sessions with trained therapists who can counsel or refer students to local resources. According to Mraz, “UNM-Gallup is the only branch campus making use of this needed service. We also offer a University 101 class to all incoming freshmen which deals with many of these issues. This required class provides students with tools to help them adjust to the demands of college.” Student success is the mission at UNM-Gallup and many resources are in place to assure that any barriers to achievement are removed. Through a robust selection of services, strong academic supports, and an environment that believes every student can and should be successful, UNM-Gallup offers opportunities to start, continue, or complete your education. Call (505) 863-7500 or visit www.gallup. unm.edu for more information. For additional information, please contact: Marilee Petranovich mpetrano@unm.edu (505) 863-7770

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