Minority Advisement Program(MAP)/Student Oriented Activites for Retention(SOAR)
The Minority Advising Program (MAP) was established in 1983 to enhance the academic welfare of minority students in the University System of Georgia (USG). Its goals include the promotion of academic success, development of human potential, and the creation of an environment that fosters the success and retention of minority students. MAP can be found on various campuses in multiple forms within the USG. At Georgia College, we refer to the MAP program as SOAR (Student Oriented Activities for Retention.)
SOAR
SOAR matches incoming minority students with student mentors to help make sure that they have a smooth transition into our University and that they are successful while they are here. We understand that mentorship is important in every phase of life, so we match student mentors with professional mentors from faculty or staff. Participants in the SOAR program get the opportunity to give back to the community through another phase of mentorship with high school students in the High Achievers Program.
SOAR provides:
- Mentors to help minority students successfully transition into college
- Motivation for academic excellence through structured study time, academic success seminars, and workshops aimed at retaining minority students at the university
- Guidance in Major and Career selection, and assistance in course registration
- Supportive group of peers and friends, and activities to help develop/support those relationships
- An abundance of resources
- Cultural and educational programming coordinated by the Office of Institutional Equity and Diversity
SOAR Miles
Members of SOAR provide a source of support, guidance and an abundance of resources for each other by participating in SOAR Miles. SOAR Miles is a merit based system in which we monitor participants' mentorship experience by tracking their involvement in the following areas: academic, social, cultural and civic activities. Participants are encouraged to complete a number of hours in each area with their mentor (based on the SOAR Miles Plans listed below) to help maximize the mentorship experience and develop a strong foundation for their collegiate and post collegiate career.
We know that students have the power to fly and it is our goal to help them SOAR!
Checkpoints
In order to track your SOAR miles, check point sheets should be turned in to the SOAR coordinator on the last Friday of each month via hard copy or e-mail indicating the number of hours completed.
Advising
Each student is required to schedule a 30-minute advising session with the Program Coordinator prior to Spring Registration between September 15th and October 24th, 2008. Other advising sessions are strongly encouraged before and after these allotted dates. Advising times may be scheduled during the coordinator's SOAR office hours as indicated below.
SOAR Office Hours:
Tuesday 2-4pm
Thursday 2-4pm
Friday (by appointment)
SOAR Meetings
Monthly meetings will be held on the first Monday of each month (unless otherwise specified) to discuss student development topics and upcoming events. Topics will include: Time Management, How to Study, Relationships, Community Service, Health & Wellness, Diversity and much more.
For More Information, please contact:
Nadirah Z. Ross
Diversity Program Coordinator
nadirah.ross@gcsu.edu
478-445-4233
MSU RM. 131
