A more politically correct description of PCP is the issue of a new student’s inability to involve themselves with the college.
It could determine a first-year student’s likelihood for continuing his or her education goals and subsequent graduation, said April Sessler, associate dean of enrollment management.
“If a student doesn’t make a connection with another person, be it a faculty member or peers, chances for success will plummet,” Sessler said.
Financial situations, personal issues, time management and being academically underprepared are only a few problems that first-year students may come across.
Joshua Yarbrough, a general studies major, is in his second semester at AC.
Yarbrough said the only problem he has come across is “how it conflicts with my work schedule and how I am limited to the amount of time I can study.”
The average ages for first-year students differ at AC from some other colleges. Freshmen aged 25 to 26 are a higher percentage than at many schools, while a third of AC’s students are under 21.
“Many problems students face are related to their stage of life, not just their age,” Sessler said.
Sessler, alongside dean of enrollment management Bob Austin, share and oversee all student affairs, including advising, tutoring and testing.
“If students are unprepared for the demands of college work, they can seek out help,” Sessler said.
There are advisers for every division, and they are broken down by major so students receive the most effective guidance.
“My adviser was also my ACE adviser through Caprock,” said nursing major Whitney Patterson.
“It helps that she’s not a complete stranger, and she doesn’t just help me with my schedule, but also my scholarship.”
Sessler stressed that any form of involvement with an organization on campus will boost a student’s chances for success on campus and beyond.
“The difference between high school and college is that you have to form relationships,” she said. “They are more likely to succeed if they stay connected with students through clubs.”
Yarbrough doesn’t plan on joining any organizations but said the interaction between students and faculty is a major factor in college success.
“We can’t all learn online, and with faculty, we are able to ask for help and even help others from what we have learned from our teachers,” he said.
Students attending AC are encouraged to use all services made available to them. Advisers always are on hand, and some are making contact more simple by offering services through online social networking.
The math lab provides many tutoring possibilities, and fliers all over campus invite students to join and participate in clubs and outside events.
“We’re enrollment chasers,” Sessler said. “Bob gets them in here, and it’s my job to keep them here.”
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