Academics

Academics

John C. Ford Academic Resource Center

OPEN PROGRAM

Opportunity for Personalized Education at Neumann

Neumann College's OPEN Program supports first-generation and non-traditional college students, as well as those who may not have experienced academic success. The program's objective is to empower individuals to realize their academic potential and to reach their goals. The program challenges students to see themselves as valued individuals. Students then become successful members of the Neumann community, and of larger communities. Students are then able to share with others the gifts they have developed. This program reflects Neumann's mission statement, which emphasizes the importance of developing the whole individual and of including students of diverse backgrounds.

Services Provided

This program includes the following:

• Individualized tutoring in writing, mathematics, chemistry, biology, French, Spanish, Italian, economics, statistics, criminal justice ad nursing
  
  
• Academic counseling, tax and general legal advice
  
  
• Peer tutoring opportunities for students who receive a 3.0 or higher GPA in the field they wish to tutor
  
  
• Success seminars to inform students about study skills, financial aid, stress management techniques, and other college survival techniques
  
  
• Cultural activities
  
  
• Participation in leadership certification

A grant from Pennsylvania's Department of Education funds the program, which supports students who are both permanent residents of Pennsylvania and whose family's adjusted gross income does not exceed 200% of the federal poverty level guidelines.

A student must also meet one of the following criteria:

• Considered a first-generation college student
  
  
• Returned to school after a five year or longer absence
  
  
• Received a GED instead of a high-school diploma
  
  
• Placed on academic probation
  
  
• Failed or in danger of failing one or more courses
  
  
• Placed in developmental classes
  
  
• Earned a GPA lower than 2.5