S.T.A.R.S.
The Student Transition And Retention Services Program assists Philander Smith University in addressing the needs of students through a variety of student services such as: Professional Development and Student Engagement; Disability Support Services; First-Year Experience Peer Mentoring; New Student Orientation; Living/Learning Initiatives; and Transition Programs.
We invite you to learn more about what is offered and how you can get involved. The Office of Student Affairs is located on the second floor of the ML Harris Building in Suite 202. We are here to support you and to compliment your collegiate journey; your success is very important to us!
Again, welcome to PSU! If there is anything that our team can assist with to make your Philander Experience better, please contact us.
Donna Young, MBA
Assistant Director/Success Coach
Student Affairs | S.T.A.R.S. (Student Transition and Retention Services)
1st Floor | M. L. Harris
(501) 370-5254
Kayla King, BSW
Student Success Coach
Student Affairs | S.T.A.R.S (Student Transition and Retention Services)
1st Floor | M. L. Harris
(501) 975-8552
kking@philander.edu or stars@philander.edu
JaWan Wright
Student Success Coach
Student Affairs | S.T.A.R.S (Student Transition and Retention Services)
1st Floor | M. L. Harris
jawright@philander.edu or stars@philander.edu
Caron Manuel
Student Success Coach
Student Affairs | S.T.A.R.S (Student Transition and Retention Services)
1st Floor | M. L. Harris
cmanuel@philander.edu or stars@philander.edu
Success Coaching and Peer Success Specialists
Assists first-year students in their social, personal, academic, and leadership development while helping hem successfully transition to Philander Smith University.
New Student Orientation (NSO)/Panther Camp
Provides direct programs and services for incoming students and their families that address the process of transition, introducing them to the broad spectrum of curricular and co-curricular opportunities available at PSU.
Living/Learning Initiatives
Assists Philander Smith University in providing students who enter the university with an environment and services
designed to increase their success rate and ensure their
persistence to the next collegiate level.
Office of Professional Development
Information and learning experiences will be provided for students through a series of activities that include workshops, career and graduate school fairs, volunteer/community service projects, assessment, and
internships. This activity will offer programming that provides leadership development and personal growth experiences for students.
Disability Support Services
Serves as the campus ADA resource center for students, faculty, and staff. Students with disabilities affecting their academic work may receive reasonable accommodations through Disability Support Services. The role of Disability Support Services will be to encourage and assist students with disabilities in becoming independent learners with the skills and abilities to take full responsibility for their academic success. This will be accomplished by providing educational access through support, resources, advocacy, collaboration, and academic adjustments or accommodations.
Transition Programs
Designed to increase the retention rate for students during their freshman, sophomore, junior and senior years by developing programs designed to engage and assist with their academic needs and improving their decision-making skills while focusing on their developmental, academic, career, personal, and social concerns. Several programs and events will be provided in order to assist students in successfully navigating each year of their experience at PSU. Through a broad range of intentional events and programs, Transition Programs will assist students in discovering their strengths, developing their talents, and applying skills and strategies to enhance leadership development, academic and career success, and community and social well-being.
