BCAS launches 'Staying Connected' program to help students stay on track

Oct 16, 2019news

New program designed to help students succeed in and out of the classroom

The Business, Computer, Arts and Sciences (BCAS) Division at York Technical College recently launched a program to help students in accelerated, flexible and online programs succeed both inside and outside the classroom.

The Staying Connected Retention program held its first session in September for students to connect with the BCAS and Learning Commons Leadership Team. The theme for the kick-off meeting was GRIT, inspired after the book “GRIT, The Power of Passion and Perseverance,” written by author Angela Duckworth.

Yolanda Wilson, the College’s Associate Vice President for BCAS and Dean of the Learning Commons, said the purpose of the program is to support students and connect them with faculty and staff.

“You belong here,” Wilson told students during the inaugural session. “You belong at York Tech. You belong in college and you belong right here. “Right here in this moment you have the the perseverance, the determination and the courage, that even when it gets tough you’re going to need a combination of those things to really be able to push through and get your degree.”

Lynn Kelly, an Instructor and Coordinator of Learning Communities in the English Department, shared her personal story of returning to college at age 32, while working and having a family.

“You owe it to yourself to be able to finish your education,” Kelly said. “You owe it to yourself to know that you deserve a successful future. Knowledge and education is power. Don’t ever let anybody shut the door on you because you’re not qualified for a job. You be the one to decide that you want to shut the door on an opportunity because it’s not what you want.”

All students are welcome to attend the monthly sessions.

Upcoming sessions are as follows:

“Sticking to the Plan,” is scheduled for Thursday, October 17 from 4-5 p.m. in Building A, Room 247. Attendees will learn more about planning a path toward graduation and how to utilize Navigate, a tool that students can use to schedule an appointment with advisors and register for classes.
“The Growth Mindset,” will be hosted on Thursday, November 14, from 4-5 p.m. in Building A, Room 256. Participants will learn how to persevere through challenges and grow their abilities.

For more information about the program, email BCAS Retention Coordinator Alyssa Collins at acollins@yorktech.edu.