Rural Pathways for Student Success
The Rural Pathways for Student Success (RPSS) Program is a free, federally funded, program that is designed to support first-year RURAL college students' success. This program is led by an SVSU upperclassman who will serve as your success coach. These students have proven their success in various ways on campus. Your success coach will help you navigate interactions with faculty, staff, students, academic support, and student life. This robust program is aligned with The Student Success Center where all students are welcome. However, it is the home base that connects RPSS to SVSU resources and supports your overall success at SVSU.
Director of Rural Pathways For Student Success
Contact me at RPSS@svsu.edu or (989) 964-2464 for questions about the RPSS program.
Terra T. Luckett
Student Success Center
Science East 201
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 am - 5:00 pm
Friday: 8:00 am - 3: 00 pm
Student Mentor
Meet weekly with a student mentor that supports your overall success during your first year. Your mentor will give you insight to university life and provide a connection to SVSU culture.
Academic Support
Direct academic support from the tutoring center. Protected math courses that provide additional notes, videos, and study sessions. This design element gives students the opportunity to limit course retakes.
Make Friends
Get connected to lifelong friends as you experience your first year at SVSU. Become familiar with registered student organizations (RSOs), events, and leadership opportunities. Discover yourself and all your hidden talents as you build leadership skills as a Cardinal.
Eligibility for Rural Pathways for Student Success
All students from the targeted counties Arenac, Clare, Genesee, Gladwin, Gratiot, Huron, Iosco, Isabella, Ogemaw, Sanilac, Shiawassee, and Tuscola. Any students who are from rural areas are to be determined by the program administrator. However, for these students, there is limited seating. You also have to meet the following criteria:
- Registered for SVSU's CT100 course
- First-year college student
- Seeking a degree or certificate
- Student seeking success at SVSU
Rural Pathways for Student Success Benefits
Program Commitment
- Collect digital badges by attending SVSU Events
- Meet with a mentor once a week
- Attend RPSS learning development events
- SVSU volunteer experience
- Connect with registered student organizations
- Participate in DEI growth and development
- Attend mental health and awareness programs
- Advocate for your own success
- Internship support and connections
- Register for the winter semester
- Introduce another student to the Student Success Center.
- Connect to faculty and staff
Program Benefits
- Student success coach
- Campus engagement
- Accueplacer seminar
- Internship assistance
- Early registration
- Mental health and awareness events
- Professional headshot
- Embedded academic support
- Leadership opportunity
- Digital badges awarded
- Network w/upperclassmen
- Self-discovery
- Financial literacy
- Make lifelong friends
After Admittance Into Rural Pathways for Student Success
Students who are admitted to RPSS will be scheduled to take classes that have additional support. Our Mathematics department has restructured some math courses that have an extra layer of support. These classes will also be supported by tutors and mentors.
The mentoring portion of Rural Pathways is designed by Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU) student mentors with the guidance of the program director. This layer of support will ensure that rural students are acclimated to SVSU climate and culture. Student tutoring is provided by SVSU tutoring department for all students. However, Rural Pathways will be available to support the connection if needed.
Rural pathways students will also have access to early registration allowing participants to register along with upper classmen. Advising for winter semester courses will be available as well. Each Rural Pathway participant will be required to take College Transition 100 (CT100). This class is 1 credit hour. CT 100 is designed to provide an in-depth look on how to be successful at SVSU academically, socially and your support your overall transition into higher learning.
Lastly, during the 1st year Rural Pathway participants will explore career pathways by answering a questionnaire to determine your unique talents.
As you make your way to successfully completing your first year RP participants will collect badges to show their engagement and connectiveness to SVSU. These badges are designed to help build skills that are directly transferable while creating your pathway to Graduation. Saginaw Valley State University takes pride in helping students meet their goals.
Pre College
- H.S. counselor support
- Application/FAFSA
- College visits
- Summer experience at SVSU
First Year
- Rural student registered for CT 100 (Fall)
- Match with mentor
- Support over 1st full year
- Digital badging pathway
- Diversity Equity Inclusion Fieldtrips
- Leadership Development
- Financial Literacy
- Mental Health Awareness Events
- Early Registration
Continued Support
- Professional mentor
- Mentor 1st year
- Digital badging pathway
- Career Pathways Development
The contents of this website were developed under a grant from the Department of Education. However, those contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the Department of Education, and you should not assume endorsement by the Federal Government.
CONTACT US.
Director, Rural Pathways
Terra T. Luckett
Student Success Center SE 201
rpss@svsu.edu
989-964-2466