Hi there! Happy reading my thread for this week which explores SGU’s student support services.
“St. George’s University” by Meetuniversity.com
St. George’s University widely known as SGU is an educational home to medical students from around the world. This prestigious institution nurtures and produces thousands of medical practitioners and professionals. The accredited medical school prides itself in being the largest provider of doctors into 1st year residencies in the United States. Apart from its acclaimed medical school, this higher education institution offers other graduate and undergraduate degree programs. Feel free to visit their website at https://www.sgu.edu/ for more information about their degree programs.
To help students achieve success, SGU provides an array of support services. These services include academic and non-academic advising, peer counseling, language services, health and psychological services, tutoring, career guidance, and student accessibility services.
One of their core student support services is provided by the Dean of Students Office. This office supports students both academically and non-academically from the time of their orientation to their graduation. Students can therefore access the services provided by this office for free throughout their tenure at the university. Students get “academic advice and referrals, individual advancement program advisement, mid-term and end-term progress assessments. For additional ongoing support, the DOS assigns faculty advisors to matriculated students as part of its Faculty Advisor Program. The advisor becomes personally acquainted with the student’s goals, strengths, and challenges, and serves as a source of support and advice throughout the student’s tenure at the University” (DOS, n.d.).
Moreover, SGU embraces its diverse population. The institution encourages students with disabilities and cognitive concerns to access the resources offered through the Student Accessibility and Accommodation Services. This office has three main responsibilities. Essentially, they meet with students who request appointments, consider requests for accommodations, and collaborate “with faculty and staff regarding essential course and/or program requirements and appropriate reasonable accommodations” (SAAS, n.d.).
“Health and Psychological Services” by St. George’s University
Another pertinent student support service that SGU offers is Health and Psychological Services. The health services that it provides to the university community are routine blood tests, vaccinations, ultrasound services, critical care assessments, and referrals to physicians on the island. Meanwhile, the psychological services offered include counseling, psychological disability services, alcohol and drug programs, and training on stress management among other things.
“DES” by St. George’s University
SGU’s Department of Educational Services also plays a crucial role in the life of a student. “Close to 100 percent of the University’s students and many of the professors in all schools avail themselves of the support offered through the department’s innovative programs, including time management, note-taking skills, and utilizing technology effectively in teaching and learning... Most fundamentally, DES assists students individually and in groups as they prepare for course and licensure examinations” (DES, n.d.). Finally, SGU provides career guidance to help students successfully navigate their medical training and professional goals.
“NACADA” by Colorado State University
Interestingly, SGU’s student support programs have received “the Outstanding Institutional Advising Program Certificate of Merit Award by NACADA” in 2003, 2011, and 2015 (DES, n.d.). NACADA (National Academic Advising Association) is an international organization in the United States that consists of members from several countries who work together to support students’ educational development.
Having had firsthand experience receiving support from the institution as well as providing support to students through the Department of Education’s supplemental learning program, I can confidently say that the institution efficaciously meets the needs of students. As a DES facilitator at SGU, I supported students by simplifying difficult course content and clarifying their misunderstandings. The active learning strategies that I used helped deepen students’ understanding of the material and enhanced their learning experience. It was indeed an honor and privilege to meet students’ learning needs throughout my tenure.
This brings me to the end of my thread for this week! I look forward to your questions and comments.
Krista
MDE student
University of Maryland Global Campus
University of Maryland Global Campus | UMGC
References
St. George’s University. (n.d.). Student support services. SGU. https://www.sgu.edu/student-support-services/