Culture of care network illuminates path for students’ success

By Claire Curry

Alvernia kicked off 2024’s fall semester with its third-largest class experiencing a move-in day unlike any other in the university’s history.

Administrators, faculty, staff and alumni welcomed more than 500 incoming students with a new luminary tradition, a candlelight ceremony celebrating the universal theme of light – and the way it unifies the campus community.

“Across differences light unites us in our shared search for wisdom, hope and our own path,” said Alvernia President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D.

Each student received a special medallion commemorating the convocation, which included lighted luminaries lining pathways along the Quad.

“This will serve as a reminder that says, ‘I can do this. I’m going to get there,’” Fitzgerald explained, adding that those students will proudly wear their medals at Commencement signifying their accomplishments.

The theme of light represents the university’s culture of care, which aims to light the path for each student’s success.

PHOTO: Travis A. Berger, Ph.D., dean of the College of Business, Communication, and Leadership, was among those who welcomed incoming students with the new luminary tradition.
 

A spotlight on student needs

Going to college is an exciting chapter in life – a time to grow, pursue dreams and become more independent. However, as students navigate their college years, they also face real-life challenges. Perhaps they miss their loved ones or have a tough time finding a friend group. Maybe they’re struggling financially, juggling classes and childcare, or dealing with an unexpected family crisis.

Every student’s situation is unique, and the Alvernia community recognizes how different circumstances can impact one’s academic pursuits and stand in the way of success. To that end, the university offers an array of support services and resources that fall under its SOLAR initiative. SOLAR (Support, Opportunity, Love, Access, and Resources) is a dedicated campuswide culture of care network aimed at meeting students’ academic needs along with their financial, emotional and personal needs.

“We want our students to feel surrounded with support,” Fitzgerald said. “We want them to know that there’s always someone there who’s going to support them through whatever they’re dealing with.”

Although the SOLAR initiative is relatively new, its core mission is anchored in Alvernia’s roots.

“What I love most about SOLAR is that it’s who we’ve always been,” Fitzgerald explained. “Our [Bernardine] Sisters have always provided this sense of love and support and access. It’s just part of the culture of the institution.”

The SOLAR initiative, she said, is a way to “define this work, put metrics to it,” and build on it with intention and focus.

PHOTO: Each student received a special medallion commemorating the convocation, which they will wear at Commencement.
 

Igniting student success

To develop targeted programming, it was essential to understand the evolving needs of Alvernia’s students. To that end, the university participated in nationwide surveys and studies, such as the Temple University Hope Center for Student Basic Needs Survey, which revealed that 45% of Alvernia students experienced some level of basic-need insecurity. These ranged from the need for food, housing and housing insecurity to mental health care, childcare and transportation.

“Our results were not very different than what’s true across the country,” said Senior Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Mary-Alice Ozechoski, M.A. “About 30% of college students are food insecure. About 9% of college students in any given year experience housing insecurity. We talked about what we were seeing on campus, and we started to really dig in.”

A deeper analysis of Alvernia students provided a springboard for intensive faculty and staff training on complex topics such as poverty, mental health and financial services as well as new programming, out of which emerged the foundations of SOLAR.

“By organizing our efforts, we are innovating for the future of higher education, which includes more nontraditional students, increased financial need, and changes to mental and physical health needs,” said Senior Vice President and Provost Leamor Kahanov, Ed.D., ATC/LAT. “Through SOLAR, we are developing a unique model for academic and student support that ensures students from any background, facing any unique life circumstances, have access to the opportunities they deserve.”

Plugging into the campus community

The SOLAR initiative is already shining bright at Alvernia.

• A student who needs professional attire for a job interview can now visit the Career Closet to choose items free of charge.
• Students dealing with mental health issues can meet with counseling professionals on campus through the partnership with Penn Medicine Healthworks that has expanded the capabilities of the Penn Medicine – Alvernia Medical and Counseling Center.
• For personalized academic support and skill development, students are welcomed at the Navigation Office for one-on-one guidance and workshops on topics such as time management and exam preparation. Peer tutoring, coaching, writing support and other services are available at the Academic Success Center.
• Alvernia’s Office of Student Financial Services assists students with setting up payment plans, searching for scholarships and grants, securing funding sources to meet their educational goals and much more.
• Located in the Bernardine Hall Commuter Lounge, the Financial Wellness Center, made possible through a partnership with Visions Federal Credit Union, aims to develop students’ financial literacy.
• The Hope Fund assists Alvernia students and families in financial need and allows the university to address student hardships.
• The reach of Clare’s Cupboard – a resource that provides nonperishable food items, toiletries, housewares and school supplies – has expanded. There are locations in the Bornemann Building and Campus Commons, in the John R. Post Center at Reading CollegeTowne, in Pottsville CollegeTowne, and in collaboration with Deliverance Evangelistic Church in Philadelphia.

“We’ve developed a process where online students can get direct assistance through gift cards that we send to their homes. That’s part of the evolution of Clare’s Cupboard in the outreach to support all of our students,” said Darryl Mace, Ph.D., vice president of mission, diversity and inclusion.

The expansion also includes pop-up mobile units with microwaves and quick snacks, and Clare’s Ambassadors, faculty and staff who have baskets of food in their offices.

A beacon of hope

Alvernia recently appointed the university’s first director of social services to head its Office of Social Services. In addition to serving as a case manager and point person, Melissa Terwilliger is well versed in the range of community resources thanks to her more than 10 years as a case manager in Berks County and a student support specialist for a large rural school district in western Pennsylvania.

“I believe student needs go beyond academics, so to be able to support them with their individual needs and connect them to additional community supports is important so they have the resources to make the best decisions for themselves,” Terwilliger said.

Moving forward, there are plans to increase student access to books and course materials, provide additional scholarships for low-income and at-risk students, conduct ongoing research to stay closely informed about the needs of Alvernia students and community neighbors, and continue to expand the reach of Clare’s Cupboard.

“The beauty of SOLAR is that everyone is part of it; it’s a universitywide initiative,” Mace said. “We’re always talking about it. We’re training ourselves to listen and hear those students’ needs and then to immediately put in process some sort of outreach. Sometimes that’s leading them to an office or helping them apply for SNAP benefits. Sometimes it’s connecting them with legal counsel or offering some money through the Hope Fund. The commitment is to meet every student where they are and walk alongside them in their pathway to success.”

Usage of SOLAR-associated resources

* Taken from the survey “Assessing Our Culture of Care,” fall 2024.