Dear University of Miami Community,
As we approach a new academic year, I am pleased to announce the launch of the Center for Academic Navigation and Success (miami.edu/success
) within the Office of the Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs and Provost at the University of Miami. The center integrates undergraduate advising, transitional advising, and ’Cane Success Center initiatives to establish a unified and elevated academic support structure. The center will equip students with the tools and knowledge needed to navigate their academic journey by providing personalized guidance, comprehensive resources, and collaborative support. Students will receive coordinated care that includes proactive and holistic advising. This marks a significant milestone in our undergraduate student retention, persistence, and graduation efforts.
The decision to establish the Center for Academic Navigation and Success was the result of feedback received from consortiums and surveys with students, staff, and faculty. These groups identified the need to improve the consistency of accessible and comprehensive undergraduate academic support across the institution. In partnership with these key stakeholders, we designed the center to provide every student, irrespective of their course of study, with a consistent experience from onboarding through graduation. To accomplish this, we expanded resources including an increase in professional staff.
Under the leadership of Valerie Robideaux, our new senior associate dean for student success, the center is establishing a professional development program for its staff and strengthening collaborations across campus. Valerie comes to the University with more than 16 years of experience leading complex student success initiatives at both public and private institutions. Under her leadership, the center includes the following key functions and initiatives:
Transitional Guides, formerly known as transitional advisors, serve as the primary point of contact for incoming first-year and transfer students, as well as continuing students switching from one school/college to another. They play a crucial role in preparing students for success in their foundational coursework and school/college program integration.
Cane Navigators, formerly known as school/college academic advisors, serve as the main point of contact for undergraduate students from orientation to graduation. They support students holistically, addressing their academic needs and personal and professional development through their undergraduate journey.
Success Advocates, formerly known as success advisors within the ’Cane Success Center, work proactively to design and implement programs that assist undergraduates in overcoming obstacles to timely degree completion, such as First-Year Directions, GPAid, and ’Canes Complete.
The center’s functions complement the mentorship that faculty provide to students. Moving forward, the center will collaborate with our schools and colleges to highlight the significant role faculty play in guiding students’ fields of study, research opportunities, and career pathways.
At the University of Miami, we are deeply committed to our mission to transform lives through education, research, innovation, and service. I remain grateful to our faculty and staff for their ongoing and tireless commitment to this mission and to our students. Innovative approaches like this center ensure we continue to advance student success so our students can persist and achieve their goals at the U and beyond. I sincerely appreciate all who have provided input, contributed valuable expertise, and championed these efforts toward building a stronger student support system.
With gratitude, |
