1. The Center for Academic Retention & Enhancement
Transition, Support, & Engagement for Traditionally Underrepresented Students

2. About Us
The Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement is a department in both the Division of Academic Affairs and the Division of Student Affairs. It was created at Florida State University in 1968 as Horizons Unlimited. 
In January 2000, FSU combined Horizons Unlimited, Multicultural Student Support Services, Minority Academic Programs, and the Summer Enrichment Program to establish CARE. Pre- Collegiate programs were also embedded into CARE to provide support for traditionally underrepresented students beginning as early as sixth grade.

3. Our Vision
Motivate and prepare targeted middle and high school students to pursue higher education.
Recruit, prepare, and support targeted first generation college students for successful adaptation and academic success at the undergraduate level.

4. Motivate, Prepare and Recruit
College Reach Out Program (CROP) State funded program
Prepares 6-12th graders in Leon and Gadsden Counties for College Enrollment and Success
2015: 62, 716 contact hours
7% increase in participant GPAs
Upward Bound Program Federally funded TRiO Program
Prepares 9th-12th graders in Gadsden County for College
In operation since 1989
100% post-secondary enrollment rate since 2012
Statewide Recruitment In conjunction with Admissions and Financial Aid, CARE staff visit high schools, college fairs, and attend community events Student Team
CARE Delegates- Provide presentations for high schools & community based organizations in their hometowns
CARE Guides- provide in house presentations and campus tours Spring 2016: 984 visitors

5. CARE Collegiate Division
Summer Bridge Program
CARE Tutoring & Computer Lab
Financial Aid/Literacy
Unconquered Scholars Program
Academic Advising
College Life Coaching
Student Engagement
Student Support Services
Student Support Services-STEM

6. CARE Summer Bridge Program

7. CARE Summer Bridge Program
An intensive 7 week transition program provided free of charge for 1st generation students
Week 1: Move-In & Orientation- students meet their cohort, faculty, staff and learn about campus resources
Weeks 2-7: Students earn 7 college credits
Participation in an array of academic, social, cultural, professional development and community service activities
Mandatory weekly study hours
Students are guided through this transition by CARE faculty and staff as well as upperclassmen who live with them throughout the summer serving as Ambassadors.

8. Academic Advising & Life Coaching
Academic Planning & General Educational needs
Academic Improvement Plans
Mid-Semester Progress Reporting
Exploratory Advising & Major Changes
Coaching
Bi-Weekly College Life Coaching
2nd Year Students Coached for a Full Year
Referrals and resources to campus partners

9. CARE Tutoring Services
FREE Drop-In One-on-One & Group Tutoring
Individual Study Rooms
Access to State-of-the-Art Computer Lab, Surface Tablets, & Free Printing
Academic & Study Consultations
Almost 70,000 student visits each year
Free Textbook Rentals

10. Financial Aid & Literacy
CARE provides services to assist students with locating resources for financing their college education
One-on-One Financial Aid Counseling
Group Financial Aid Workshops
Scholarship & Internship Database
Financial Aid File Correction
Assistance with Verification Process
Financial Literacy
Basic Money Management Workshops
Individual Budget Planning Meetings
Financial Resource Assistance
On-Campus Employment
Applications for Public Assistance

11. Student Engagement Monthly General Assemblies
Focus on Integration into the Campus Community
Small Group Engagement Activities
Supplemental Educational Experience
Graduate School & Post-Graduation
Career Center & Counseling Liaisons
Career Development
Mental Health Workshops

12. Unconquered Scholars Program
Supports students who were previously classified as foster care, relative care, homeless, or wards of the state
Receive Individualized Support
Group Meetings and Socials
Crisis Support
Special Events
Volunteering

13. Unconquered Scholars Program
Since starting in 2012
Enrolled 64 students
61 are actively involved now
1 graduated in less than 3 years
18 of the original 20 students will graduate in 2016 (compared to only 2% of students who age out of foster care graduate with a bachelor’s degree)
Selected Campus Activities:
Honor Society Inductees
Marching Chiefs
Housing Resident Assistant
Student Government (Student Body Treasurer, Senior Class Treasurer)
Dean’s List
Garnet & Gold Scholar Society
Campus RSO Executive Boards
FSU Hall of Fame

14. Student Support Services (& STEM)
Provides additional support for first-generation/low-income students
Focus on academic success and post-graduation planning
Provides additional academic and financial resources to participants
Enhanced focus on STEM education and graduate school test preparation

15. CARE Growth & Success Enrollment Achievements 60 students Summer 2000
Almost 4,000 applications for 2016
Achievements
CARE 2008 cohort graduation rate: 81% (2% above the FSU general population)
CARE 2014 Fall-Fall retention: 93% (1% above general population)
Unconquered Scholars overall program retention 94% (60 of 64 retained or graduated since 2012)
Average Fall term GPA for CARE 2015: 3.28
44.2% above 3.5
29 students (7.3%) earned a 4.0

16. Accolades
INSIGHT Into Diversity Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award (2014 & 2015): FSU recognized for efforts in diversity
National Association of Student Personnel Administrators-Florida (2015): Unconquered Scholars Program recognized as the Program of Distinction
Institute for Higher Education Policy (IHEP)(November 2015): FSU recognized as Exemplar Institution for Access and Student Success
University Business Magazine (November 2015) – Unconquered Scholars Program recognized as a Model of Excellence

17. National Attention
National Center for Homeless Education (April 2015) – Publication featured CARE & Unconquered Scholars Programs
University World News (August 2015) – Unconquered Scholars featured for work with homeless students
National Alliance to End Homelessness (August 2015) – Publication featured CARE & Unconquered Scholars Programs
Chronicle of Higher Education (August 2015) – Article featured CARE & Unconquered Scholars Program
Tallahassee Democrat (September 2015) – CARE recognized for being awarded $2.2 Million for Student Support Services & Student Support Services-STEM grants
EAB Daily Briefing (November 2015) – Featured Unconquered Scholars among programs that help homeless students over the break periods
PBS News Hour (Aired March 2016): Feature story about CARE and Unconquered Scholars student
Christian Science Monitor (May 2016): Cover Story featured CARE for efforts in diversity at FSU
Truth-Out Article (May 2016): Article outlining some efforts CARE provides to assist homeless students at FSU