Having once lived in what is now Pam Lau’s office, it was nice to be back for a visit. Sharing the suite are Pam Lau, Dean of Academic Services and Marietta Turner, Dean of Students, along with their very capable assistant is James Albrecht.
Pam’s job entails assisting the Vice President for Academic Services to develop and administer policies and programs related to the faculty and curriculum, review and improve ongoing academic systems and support services development, providing assistance with strategic and annual planning as well as implementation and evaluation. She also oversees the Center for Academic Success.
Marietta, on the other hand, is associated with Student Services and oversees the student discipline system and serves as chief student conduct officer for the college. She addresses and resolves student complaints regarding discrimination and harassment, processes student grievances, and reviews and makes recommendations to the Vice President for Student Services regarding policies, procedures, and programs that affect students and campus life.
My time in the office was very enjoyable, spent mostly in conversation about ideas, student conduct, and exceptions to academic policy, grants and initiatives planned for the upcoming academic year. Plus we had some good Italian for lunch.
Thanks, Pam, Marietta, and James!
July 26th TRiO Office
The Federal TRIO Programs are Federal outreach and student services programs designed to identify and provide services for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. At Parkland College, we are fortunate to have the Student Support Services grant. Mary Catherine Denmark, Mark-Saint McDowell, and Particia Murbarger all help keep our participating students on track.
Through a grant competition, funds are awarded to institutions of higher education to provide opportunities for academic development, assist students with basic college requirements, and to motivate students toward the successful completion of their postsecondary education. Our Student Support Services projects also provides some grant aid to current participants who are receiving Federal Pell Grants.
The goal of SSS is to increase the college retention and graduation rates of its participants.
Additionally. Our TRiO program provides individualized counseling for personal, career, and academic information, activities, and instruction designed to acquaint students with career options, exposure to cultural events and academic programs not usually available, and mentoring programs.
Parkland student must be enrolled full-time in a transfer program and demonstrate academic need for support services as determined by placement scores. Additionally, student must meet any of the following criteria for eligibility:
- First-generation college student (neither parent/guardian graduated from a 4-year college)
- Demonstrated financial need according to federal income guidelines (Pell Grant eligibility)
- Have a documented disability (registered with Office of Disability Services at Parkland College)
Recruiting students to the program was on the minds of our TRiO staff the day I visited. Typically, a report is generated that identifies the students that may qualify to participate in the program, but with our migration project, the report is a little harder to get.
Mary Catherine gave me an overview of the program, Mark ran me through his intake process, and Patricia discussed some of the cultural opportunities our students have enjoyed in the past.
Overall, a very enjoyable day and a pleasure to learn more about the many support systems we have in place to help our students stay on track to graduate.
Thanks to all three of you!
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