Parent Newsletter - January 2012
Dear VMI Parent:
As we begin the new year and new semester, I would first like to share with you a review of the Fall 2011 semester. During that semester, the Miller Academic Center served approximately 539 cadets! More than 500 cadets participated in our programs such as the Group Study Sessions (GSS), Project Success, and Project Success 2 (PS2). We also had more than 30 cadets work with our Office of Disabilities Services. The MAC had 62 cadets serve in leadership roles to support our mission and their peers.
We are now busy getting programs up and running for the Spring 2012 semester. You can visit our homepage to see the schedule for the GSS, PS, and PS2 programs that start the week of January 22nd. As promised in my first letter, you will see that we are also starting a new program specifically for our third class cadets. FOCUS (Facilitating Opportunities and Choices to Unlock Success) will meet every week during the Dean's Time on Mondays (1100-1200) in 501 Scott Shipp. It is a voluntary program to help them deal with the Academic Ratline. There will be upperclass cadet facilitators providing strategies and inspiration to help the participants really fulfill their potential in the classroom. While cadets can choose how often they attend and to what degree they participate, those who maximize the opportunity can earn a Letter of Completion. Earning this letter will demonstrate a cadet's commitment his or her academic and overall success at VMI. Requirements for the letter include missing no more than two meetings, using the VMI Cadet Success Planner as directed, complete Faculty and Advisor visit reports by due date, and complete the FOCUS Reflective Journal.
The MAC is also planning a very special educational series for faculty and staff entitled "Learning Disabilities: Understanding the Issues and Supporting Cadet Success." This series of workshops will be offered throughout the semester and will included a presentation by Dr. Trammell (President of AHEAD (Association on Higher Education and Disability) in Virginia and Director of Disabilities Support Services at Randolph-Macon College) on January 27th. For all of the details, please visit the ODS homepage. If a cadet has either a documented disability (such as a learning disability) or a temporary disability (such as a broken hand that impedes their ability to complete a test), then the cadet should contact our office. If your cadet is wondering about having a learning disability, please encourage him or her to visit LTC Crockett at crockettaz@vmi.edu. She cannot test your cadet but they can discuss your cadet's questions and provide useful information about possible next steps.
As a VMI parent, you have the ability to contribute to your cadet's academic success through your support of his or her hard work and dedication to taking the "path less traveled." This is a very special institution and the cadets are themselves very special! I hope that you will encourage your cadet to read our emails, stop by our office (202 Carroll Hall), and use our programs and services. If you have any questions or suggestions about how we can facilitate cadet success, I hope you will contact me at humphreye@vmi.edu or 540-464-7602.
Sincerely,
LTC Elaine Humphrey, Ph.D.
Director, Miller Academic Center