About the COMPASS Program

  1. The objectives of the COMPASS program are to 1) increase the 2nd to 3rd year retention rate among students at WCU and 2) reduce equity gaps. Our approach to the COMPASS program is multifaceted and has various components such as a) an academic graduate mentor, b) mandatory study hall, and c) mandatory tutoring. 
  2. The COMPASS program provides a direct and individualized approach with graduate level academic mentors. The weekly meetings allow students to have a safe space in which to trust and share successes, barriers and challenges as a student at West Chester University. This program empowers students to advocate for themselves across the campus.
  3. The students and mentors create a partnership built on trust and mutual respect. The students often seek advice and ask questions on many topics such as mental health, financial aid, housing and textbooks, among many others. This has allowed the program to create additional connections with many offices across the campus that provide services for students.
  4. It creates a unique opportunity to partner with the Higher Education Policy and Student Affairs Program to allow graduate students to apply knowledge and skills to support students toward academic success.
  5. The ongoing feedback from students has provided a wonderful opportunity to examine current policy and practices related to student success
  6. The pandemic increased the need for support services to ensure student success.
Back to top of page.