OFFICE OF ACADEMIC ENGAGEMENTCOLLEGE SUCCESS FOUNDATION ACHIEVERS

VIANEY GRANADOS

Vianey is a WSU student studying Applied Mathematics with a minor in Spanish. She is also a College Success Foundation Achievers Scholar, a program for high achieving students from low-income households.

“I didn’t know about the course before my advisor told me. She said I would fit in, ‘you’re an Achiever.’”

Achievers Scholars have the opportunity to take the UNIV 497 class during their Freshman year. The class prepares students for college by helping them get familiar with resources at WSU and creating a community of peers and mentors.

“They do a good job of making it exciting to go to class. I feel connected with the teacher because of how similar we are, and it’s been very helpful for getting through this semester. It’s been tough finding motivation to keep doing well in school because everything is online and I’m at home all the time. I’m very glad to have them.”

The assignments push students to get familiar with their professors and understand their own study habits.

“It encourages you to talk to your professors and get to know them because you’re getting graded for it. There were other assignments to see what midterms you have and when they are due to keep you on track, reflections of the week to get you thinking about what went well, and a time management sheet, so you can see how many hours you spent studying.”

“Once or twice a week, we get together with another class and they bring in people from different clubs or the writing center. We did one on stress management and one financial lesson.”

Students also have access to advising, which is encouraged by the program.

“We have mandatory meetings with the [CSF Achievers] advisor through the program. I had an issue with what Spanish class to take, and they all worked together to find and answer for me.”

If you’re on the fence about joining the CSF Achievers program, here’s what Vianey has to say.

“Definitely join. I feel like there is only good that comes from joining the program both academically and how you feel at WSU. The program makes sure you have a lot of support and they’ll listen to you.”