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The Program Welcomed its Largest Class of Incoming First-Year College Students

The message that Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Chancellor James T. Minor, PhD, shared with students of the SIUE Summer Success Program (SSP) during the program’s sixth Annual Closing Ceremony on Friday, Aug. 9, was one filled with affirmation and hope. 

“We expect you to succeed here at SIUE,” Minor said warmly to a crowd of students in the Mississippi/Illinois Rooms of SIUE’s Morris University Center. “When you are doing something new and you are out of your comfort zone, there’s a little voice inside that asks, ‘Can I do this?’” 

“The answer is yes,” Minor continued. “Every time during the academic year when that little voice pops up, I want you to remember that we expect you to succeed.” 

This year, SSP welcomed its largest class of 55 participants from Illinois, Missouri and one student from Texas. SSP is a free, five-week program open to a select cohort of newly admitted first-year students who identify as first-generation and/or Pell eligible. 

Participants undergo a rigorous academic schedule and can earn up to five college credit hours. Students took three classes from 10 course offerings. SSP is offered under the SIUE CORE TEAM (College Readiness: Transition, Engage, Achieve and Mentor). 

Opening up SSP’s Closing Ceremony, where students received awards and accolades, was Timothy Staples, EdD, interim director of CORE TEAM/Pre-College Program and executive director of the SIUE East St. Louis Campus Programs. 

Staples led the students in a call-and-response version of their program motto: “Be Focused. Be Responsible. Be Achievers.” 

“Learning is so valuable that it is, therefore, sacred,” said Staples, quoting the late American author Paula Underwood. “And a life filled with learning is the greatest gift of all. There are songs to be sung that honor the beauty of such a life, reminding us all of our purpose and potential.” 

Minor had two more takeaways for the SSP Class of 2024: “You Belong Here, and everyone who works at this University is at your service.” 

“You are going to encounter challenges in your academic career, but in those moments when you question whether you should be here. We want to affirm that you absolutely belong here,” Minor shared. “I need you to know you are smart enough, good enough to be here.” 

“There’s a strange thing that happens, and we can question whether or not we are worthy of asking for help,” noted Minor. “I need you all to step forward and ask for help as if you deserve it. We show up here everyday to make sure that you are successful, but you must ask.” 

SSP participants saw great success throughout the program, and they received awards in numerous categories. 

“I got to know the students well,” said Edward LeMoine, English Composition II instructor. “Many of the students came a half an hour early to class and stayed late. They did very well because they wanted to be there.” 

“I liked getting college experience before the fall started, and I liked the demanding course work,” said Dannica Davis, who graduated from SIUE East St. Louis Charter High School and plans to major in biological and medical sciences at SIUE. “It gave me a glimpse into what to expect in the fall and how to navigate and manage my college life.” 

The program helped Moss Palmer get better acquainted with the SIUE campus. “I didn’t expect to meet so many people as I did,” said Palmer, who graduated from Chesterton High School in Indiana and plans to major in studio arts at SIUE. “I made some good friends. It was a pleasant surprise. I also asked a Summer Success staff member to be my mentor.” 

Twin brothers David and Davion Sides graduated from Bishop DuBourg, a private Catholic high school of about 300 students in St. Louis, Mo. 

“I loved it,” said David Sides, who plans to study construction management at SIUE. “The program prepared me to be successful in the fall semester. I thought the lessons we learned in Saturday workshops were extremely useful. Specifically, we learned how to compose a resume and how to prepare to get a job on campus. We also learned about budgeting our money.” 

“My favorite teachers were Dr. Howard Rambsy (PhD, Distinguished Research Professor in the Department of English who taught American Literature and Culture) and Nakita Crawford (instructor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics who taught Pre-College Algebra),” continued David Sides. “Dr. Rambsy would have deep conversations with you on literature and other things.” 

“I liked the way the program gave us a head start and showed us how to get around campus,” said Davion Sides, who plans to major in electrical engineering. “Having to go to my classes in different buildings allowed me to learn about the campus, see how long it takes get to places and enjoy the atmosphere.” 

“I liked Dr. Jocelyn DeGroot-Brown (PhD, Professor and Assistant Chair in the Department of Applied Communication Studies who taught Interpersonal Communications),” added Davion Sides. “She had a very bright personality, was eager to teach us and made the students comfortable.” 

Cooper Law, who graduated from Hillsboro High School and plans to major in business and entrepreneurship, enjoyed working and interacting with SSP tutor Bikash Thapa Magar. “He was so accommodating and helpful.” 

“In high school, I didn’t hang out with a lot of people,” added Law. “But coming here, I met quite a few people and spent time socializing. It was a whole new experience.” 

“I always enjoy working with these students to help them as they enter their first year of college,” said SSP Program Coordinator Letrice “Lee” Young, EdD. “I want to facilitate their transition to college by reminding them of all of the campus resources, starting with their professors and continuing with every office on this campus.” 

Students also had the choice of taking courses with the following faculty members: Introduction to Public Speaking taught by Sorin Nastasia, PhD, associate professor and graduate program director in the Department of Applied Communication Studies; English Composition I taught by Nicola Schmidt, instructor in the Department of English; Introduction to Sociology, taught by Samara Chapple, instructor in the Department of Sociology; Quantitative Reasoning, taught by David Dixon, instructor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics; Biology and Biology Lab, taught by Brittany Peterson, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences; and Topics in College Exploration: Matriculation to Success, taught by Staples.  

Other administrators attending the ceremonies included Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Denise Cobb, PhD; Vice Chancellor for Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (VCEDI) Jessica Harris, PhD; Associate Vice Chancellor for Student Opportunities, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion Earleen Patterson, PhD; Interim Vice Chancellor of Student Affairs Miriam Roccia and College of Arts and Sciences Dean Kevin Leonard, PhD. 

The SIUE Summer Success Program is designed to assist provide assistance to incoming first-year undergraduate students. It works collaboratively with students to engage in an ongoing transitional process from high school to college and creates a foundation for persistence towards a timely graduation.  

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The SIUE Summer Success Program graduated its largest class yet during its sixth Annual Closing Ceremony on Friday, Aug. 9.