THIBODAUX, La. — Nicholls State University’s accreditation was renewed for another 10 years by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges during their annual board meeting in Atlanta on Dec. 5. For the next decade, Nicholls will focus on carrying out its new Student Advising and Mentoring (SAM) Plan, which will empower students to work closely with faculty mentors for guidance in selecting a career path, becoming fully engaged on campus, graduating on time and ultimately securing a job upon graduation.
“Reaccreditation is critically important to the future of Nicholls and verifies the incredible quality of our academic programs and overall educational experience,” said Nicholls President Dr. Bruce Murphy, who was elected to serve as a representative on the SACS Board of Trustees during the meeting. “To be reaffirmed for 10 years with no findings is rare among colleges. I am proud of everyone on campus who worked tirelessly to help Nicholls reach this achievement, and I look forward to our future accomplishments as we intensely focus on improving student success through advising and mentoring.”
Through the Student Advising and Mentoring program, faculty will be trained to have a larger and more meaningful role in advising by assisting students in aligning their career goals and interests with the right academic programs and extracurricular opportunities. In addition to ensuring that students are properly enrolling in courses, advisers will help students identify internships, undergraduate research opportunities, study abroad trips and on- and off-campus organizations that reflect their own personal and professional interests.
“We want our advisers to do more than just schedule classes,” said Dr. Lynn Gillette, Provost and Vice President of Academic Affairs. “Through this program, our advisers will become proactive in identifying the opportunities and resources that each student needs for success beyond graduation. As a result, this program will continue to help Nicholls improve its student retention, graduation and job placement rates. The more that we can connect with our students, the better we are able to help them in making the best choice for their future.”
Earlier this year, Nicholls hired Dr. Liz Frederick as the SAM program director. Frederick previously served as program director, academic adviser and field experience coordinator for the University of Houston’s College of Education. Prior to that, she was Houston’s assistant dean of students.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Dec. 6, 2016
CONTACT: Jacob Batte, Media Relations and Publications Coordinator, 985.448.4141 or jacob.batte@www.nicholls.edu
