STUDENT-ATHLETE ACADEMIC PROGRAM

While each student athlete is required to maintain the academic eligibility criteria (2.0 gpa) by the National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA), the Richard Bland College Department of Athletics holds their student-athletes to a much higher standard.

We expect our student-athletes to achieve academic excellence beyond the requirement set forth by the NJCAA.  Therefore our commitment to the student-athletes is evident by employing full-time academic support personnel, who in turn collaborates with the specific team coaches, academic counselors and professors to assist with an attainable academic plan to guide each student-athlete.

The various component of our program ensures that student-athletes take responsibility in their effort in the classroom. Mandatory study halls are conducted by teams on a weekly basis for a number of hours (determined by the department) committed exclusively for studying as a team. Tutoring is arranged with our academic support personnel to allow student-athletes to focus and strengthen their specific area of need in a particular subject area. Monthly progress reports are used as a tracking system designed to ensure the coaching staffs and administration are in sync with the student-athletes current academic progress. This monitoring system provides an opportunity for the staff to intervene and collaborate with the professors and tutoring specialists when the student requires assistance.

In addition, there are resources available for students requiring academic assistance in their specific situation. We encourage our student-athletes to take advantage of every opportunity available to them. The Writing Center is another resource that our student-athletes are expected to utilize to increase their writing skills through improved articulation tips and suggestions. Our doors are always open, as we welcome the student-athletes requiring assistance with their coursework to prepare for their education beyond Richard Bland College.

ESE@RBC

The Exceptional Student Experience focuses Richard Bland College’s attention on providing a one size fits one solution to students. A learner’s journey begins as soon as the student shows interest in the College and continues through graduation at RBC.

ESE@RBC helps students jumpstart their college journey with small, focused new student orientations to RBC’s campus community. Each orientation includes:

• Tech sessions on all systems used in and out of the classroom
• Q+A sessions with a cross-section of current students and faculty
• Targeted breakout sessions designed to answer questions related to financial aid, the Honors Program, student activities and RBC’s campus work-study program.

LEARNER MENTORS

Each student is assigned a Learner Mentor at orientation. Their Learner Mentor acts as their advocate throughout their education at Richard Bland College.

Learner Mentors:

• Assist the learner’s journey as a single point of contact
• Guide students through academic advising and career coaching
• Help students navigate the transfer process
• Connect students to supplemental support for classwork or life-skill development

With technology and early alerts, Learner Mentors can:

• Identify the best intervention in support of student success
• Reach out to students within 24 hours of an academic or behavioral alert to schedule face-to-face meetings
• Connect students with faculty
• Schedule students for tutoring and encourage them to participate in campus events

RBC’s Learner Mentors are using the technology to grow the relationship, which strengthens the connection between the students and their experience at RBC, ensuring that their experience is indeed exceptional.