Let’s face it; college can be a scary thing. There are financial aid forms a mile long, a plethora of classes, programs and majors. How will you choose? Where will you start? At Marion Technical College, it all starts in the Admissions department, and if a student needs extra help with all of the choices available, he or she is guided to an outstanding team of first-year advisors who are here to assist students — their goal … to help students succeed!

Meet the team of first-year advisors. They are here to help you and they can be found in our Student Resource Center. Among the staff are two nurses and two former secondary-education principals. All caring, concerned, focused individuals – whose focus “is” students.

The Director of the Student Resource Center, Mike Stuckey, says, “Our main purpose is to aid students in their pursuit of academic success. Among other things, this results in greater student retention. A student’s first few quarters on campus are full of difficult decisions, transitions and fears. Our advisors can provide assistance in developing the skills and knowledge necessary to better cope with all these changes. Studies show that if students can make it through that first year, they are more likely to reach their goal, whatever it may be.”

The first-year advisors do a number of things to keep students on track. They check attendance and call if a student has missed a couple of classes to be sure everything is okay. Advisors do a lot of listening. They are there if a student needs to vent about the babysitter, a job (sometimes two jobs), or the amount of homework that a student has to complete. There is so much more to college than just the classes. There is juggling, organizing, studying, and preparation. It can become overwhelming in that first year, and sometimes the most important thing a student can have is an ear, and our advisors have that – actually they have several listening ears! They also have advice, connections, suggestions, and tips.

Every student matters, and if you are interested in college – scary as it may be – just walk through our doors!!! Our first-year advisors will be here whenever you need them!