University Access Programs (UAP) is dedicated to serving academically motivated first-generation, low income, and other historically underrepresented students by providing access and equity to higher education.
UAP promotes student success by providing holistic one on one academic and personal support to ensure that our students have a realistic chance to persist each year and graduate from Southern Connecticut State University with a Bachelor’s degree. UAP offers counseling, advisement, coaching and tutorial services, connection to campus resources, and financial assistance to accomplish these objectives.
UAP programs and services are designed with five primary goals in mind:
- Recruit eligible students who are first-generation, low income, or belong to other historically marginalized groups
- Increase student retention and persistence
- Increase student academic success by increasing GPA
- Increase the number of students who graduate from college
- Increase the number of students who seek graduate or professional schooling
Our Services
Academic Enhancement
UAP students receive an additional layer of academic support through coaching, tutoring, and supplemental educational programs that offer direct accountability to all UAP students.
Counseling and Advocacy
UAP students meet bi-weekly or monthly with a professional advocate who provides emotional support and direct connection to university resources. Advocates hold students accountable to identified goals, develop professional skills, and coach them to build meaningful relationships with faculty, staff, and peers.
Social-Emotional Learning
UAP students participate in activities that help them acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions and set and achieve positive goals. UAP students also learn to feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.
Financial Support
UAP students receive institutional grants for a pre-college summer experience and study abroad programs, institutional waivers for tuition and fees, FASFA completion, and financial literacy assistance.
Culturally Competent Peer to Peer Mentoring
UAP students are mentored by high performing, academically successful students in upperclass standing who are knowledgeable about Southern and taught to recognize and support their needs.
Family Support
UAP students may choose to connect parents to their academic journey using FERPA forms that approve a family and university partnership through improved communication regarding a student’s academic success.
Diversity Recruitment
UAP works to increase student enrollment by developing relationships with the New Haven Board of Education, local high schools, and community-based organizations serving high school students. These partnerships expose students to Southern and provide them with an opportunity to experience college life.
Institutional Commitment
UAP develops relationships with senior leaders as stakeholders within the institution to secure space and supplemental financial support for UAP programs and services.