Academic Support Services

First and Second Year Enrichment (FSYE)

The goal of First and Second Year Enrichment program is to increase retention. As first-time students are becoming acclimated to college life and adjusting to the college environment, the First and Second Year Enrichment program provides the academic and social support needed to sustain the engagement and achievement of students through the first year of their enrollment at Miles College. The First and Second Year Enrichment program includes:

• Vesper Service
• Cultural Enrichment
• Intensive Academic Support
• Tutorial Support

Honors Curriculum

The Miles College Honors Curriculum is a four-year enrichment program for students who are prepared to excel in their intellectual, service, and cultural pursuits. Students are presented with opportunities to engage in a more rigorous academic program, to participate in national, regional, and international conferences, and to be prepared to lead in the corporate world or pursue graduate studies.

Center of Academic Excellence (CAE)

The Center of Academic Excellence program at Miles College prepares undergraduate students with global skill sets that are critically needed by the nation’s Intelligence Community. For Miles College, this means having a unique, distinguished program not found at any other college or university in the State of Alabama. Under the distinguished leadership of former President George T. French, Jr., Miles College has been designated as a Center of Academic Excellence (CAE) by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI). The Miles College Intelligence Community Center of Academic Excellence was founded and lead to national recognition by Dr. Ba-Shen T. Welch, former Vice President, Strategic Initiatives. Through this program, Miles College actively develops the next generation of highly qualified students prepared to accept career positions within the Intelligence Community. This program is one of the most innovative in its approach as it helps to increase the employability, skills, and characteristics needed within the Intelligence Community. The program provides individualized counseling, preparation and support for internships, specially designed academic programs, and international study abroad experiences for CAE scholars. Center of Academic Excellence scholars, in response to invitations, have traveled to Washington, D.C. for briefing and/or to present research. They have met with representatives from the ODNI including agencies such as the FBI, CIA, and Naval Intelligence. These experiences and relationships have facilitated careers within the Intelligence Community for CAE scholars.

Academic Success Center

The Academic Success Center (ASC), located in the Student Norton Building, is essential to quality campus life and student retention. Its mission is to provide students with academic and personal counseling, accommodations for students with disabilities, and testing services. The Center provides academic support for first-time freshmen, transfer students and current students enrolled at the College. The Center is responsible for providing academic advising, coordinating the campus-wide advising program, administering ACCUPLACER and the English Proficiency Exam (EPE) which is required for all students, and Senior EXIT Exam, a requirement for graduating seniors. The Center offers professional counseling to assist students who are dealing with personal, social, and/or emotional concerns. All sessions are on an individual and confidential basis.

Special Accommodations Services (SAS)

The College recognizes the needs of students with physical and other disabilities. In addition to assisted access to campus facilities, reasonable instructional accommodations are provided to students whose needs have been documented through the Special Accommodations Services counselor located in Bell Hall.

Learning Resources Center (LRC)

The Kirkendoll Learning Resources Center is named in honor of the late Bishop Chester Arthur Kirkendoll, former presiding Bishop of the Fifth Episcopal District of the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church and former Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Miles College. The Center embodies the concept of integrated support services and enrichment to the instructional program of the College by providing information in a variety of styles and formats.

Library resources are accessed through Polaris, a Web-based library automation program. This program provides users with on-site and off-site capabilities. Users also have access to over 6,000 periodicals and other databases through the Alabama Virtual Library (AVL), a state-supported database service. Articles in these journals are full-text as well as in abstract format.

Additional electronic databases available for patrons are as follows:

Facts on File News Service CAMIO Catalog
Wilson Web Library
Business Database
Humanities Database
Education Database
Social Science Database
Archive Grid
General Science Database

Electronic books (ebooks) are available through AVL as well as Ebrary, which contains a core collection of over 60,000 electronic books in core academic areas.

The collection numbers more than 90,000 volumes and includes books, bound periodicals, and a growing collection of multimedia materials and equipment. The facility has the capability of housing more than 100,000 volumes and seating more than 500.

The automated facility is comprised of three levels, located on the west side of the campus in close proximity to student housing and classrooms. The first level houses a staff and faculty lounge, boardroom, a computer laboratory, and the Division of Communications.

The second level is devoted to general library services: circulation, reference, periodicals, library administrative offices, and technical services. Loan service is extended to all students, faculty, and staff who wish to use books and media materials for research, recreation, or other purposes.

The third level contains the College and CME Church archives, African-American materials, and stack and study areas, including nine closed carrels for individual study. The Mattie Gill Jackson African-American Materials Center in the Learning Resources Center is a growing collection of books, periodicals, recordings, films, and videos on Black culture. This center is open for the use of the community and visiting scholars as well as for faculty, staff and students. The fourth level contains faculty and classrooms for the Fundamental Studies program. To facilitate effective use of the LRC, personal assistance and guidance are provided by the staff to faculty and students any time the LRC is open. Additionally, the “Ask A Librarian” feature is available. The LRC HANDBOOK, available at all service desks, should be referred to for a more detailed description of LRC services and regulations.

Library Hours. The LRC is open 100 hours per week. Services are available during scheduled classes and weekend hours. See the LRC website for specific times.

The Metacognition Lab

The Metacognition Lab is a specialized center that teaches students how to study. The Metacognition Lab teaches students how to study by helping the students understand their own particular cognitive processes. The focus is on student learning styles and strategies. In the Metacognition Lab, students will learn about the different learning styles, discover which learning style works best for them, and then learn how to incorporate different strategies to maximize the strengths in their learning style.

The Metacognition Lab is staffed with Academic Coaches who are selected based on their academic success and achievements. These coaches work one on one with students to evaluate and assess strategies tailored to take advantage of the students’ favored learning styles. The coaches also demonstrate to the student how to implement these strategies as they work through the substantive material in the students’ courses. The coaches assist students in all courses (e.g., biology, mathematics, English, etc.)

TRIO Program - Student Support Services (SSS)

Student Support Services (SSS) is one of eight Federal “TRIO” programs authorized by the Higher Education Act. These programs are meant to help college students succeed in higher education. Through funding from the SSS, students who face barriers to completing college-including those who are first-generation students, have disabilities or low-income-will be aided by success coaches, mentors, and peer-to-peer support to assist in their college experience. For more information regarding TRIO - Student Support Services please call (205) 929-1890.  

SSS helps students with services like:

• Free tutoring.
• One-on-one assessment of needs by staff each semester.
• Cultural enrichment opportunities.
• Help with developing good study skills.
• Academic, career, personal, financial, and graduate school counseling.
• Assistance with preparation for graduate and professional school entrance examinations; and additional services based on individual needs.

Tutorial Services

The College tutorial centers serve as supportive resources, especially for students enrolled in developmental and general education courses. They serve the students by (1) providing assistance for those experiencing difficulty with regularly assigned classwork, (2) helping students prepare for the English Proficiency Examination (EPE), (3) and helping students to improve their communications, mathematics, and study skills, whether or not they are enrolled in related courses.

Peer-to-Peer Tutoring

Peer-to-Peer Tutoring under the First Year Enrichment Program provides tutoring services in the areas of English, Reading, Math, and study skills.

Fundamental Studies (developmental)

Tutorial assistance to students in the areas of mathematics, English, and reading is available as part of classroom labs enrolled in developmental courses. Students have module software that assists them as well outside the classroom setting. Assistance is available Monday through Friday on the fourth floor of the Learning Resources Center (LRC).

Science Drop-In Center

The Division of Natural Sciences and Mathematics offers tutorial assistance in physical science, mathematics, chemistry, and biology. The Drop-In Center, located in Taggart Hall, Room 310, is staffed with qualified professional and student tutors. Tutorial assistance is available Monday through Thursday.

College Chapel Forum

The College Chapel Forum is an integral part of the student’s total educational experience. Its cultural and religious enrichment supplements the core values of the College. All students are required to attend and participate in these forums. Programs are scheduled each Monday and Wednesday during the regular semesters. Other special events will be published on the College website.