Academic Support Services

ABLE/GED Classes and Testing

Cincinnati State operates a GED Testing Center as part of our mission to provide access to educational opportunities and to prepare individuals for success. Additionally, the College maintains an extensive network of contacts with social service agencies and career centers throughout Greater Cincinnati.

For details about the GED Testing Program for individuals who wish to earn a high school equivalency credential, please call (513) 569-1830.

Academic Advising

Academic advising assists students in reaching their academic and career goals at Cincinnati State. Program chairs, academic advisors, and other faculty members are assigned to guide students through activities such as:

• Setting academic goals
• Developing educational plans
• Selecting courses
• Providing information on transfer credits
• Understanding and meeting requirements for graduation
• Clarifying career and personal goals
• Explaining academic policies and procedures
• Addressing academic challenges
• Making appropriate referrals to campus support services

During the 2013-2014 academic year, Cincinnati State will be implementing Mandatory Advising for incoming students. Advising will be provided in group and individual settings as well as via e-mail and through use of online advising tools.

Counseling Services

The mission of Cincinnati State Counseling Services is to promote student learning and development by providing counseling and referral services that address the developmental career and mental health needs of Cincinnati State students. Counseling Services are located in Main Building, Room 168. Phone: (513) 569-1552. Office hours are:

• 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, and 
• 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday

Counseling Services offered include:

Assessment: This is designed to identify a student’s needs, appropriate services, and a possible referral to community resources.

Career Counseling: This service is intended to help students clarify interests and values, assess skills, and learn about the world of work and continuing education opportunities.

Consultation: Counselors are available for consultation with students, faculty, and administrators. Not every concern a student presents is necessarily served best by the College’s Counseling Services. If it is determined that a student may be better served through other resources, the Counselor will refer the student to a related service on campus or to a community resource or agency.

Mental Health / Personal Counseling: Enrolled students may take advantage of one-on-one short-term counseling that is voluntary and focuses on personal concerns that impair a student’s ability to function in a classroom setting. Mental health counseling and crisis intervention are among the services provided.

Disability Services

The Office of Disability Services works with students to ensure they receive reasonable academic accommodations in their courses of study. The primary goal is to guarantee that all students with disabilities have an equal opportunity in the pursuit of their educational objectives. Services and programs are available for students according to individual need. Students who consistently use the resources and accommodation services tend to earn higher grades and graduate at a higher rate than students who choose not to use them.

The College has renovated areas to make its facilities accessible to students with disabilities. Outdoor and indoor ramps, elevators, and specially designed restroom facilities are available to assist any physically disabled person.

Students with disabilities who need accommodations must first register with the Office of Disability Services and present appropriate documentation. Additionally, students must present their class schedules to the Disability Services Office at the start of an academic semester to determine appropriate accommodations. Students requesting accommodations after the fifth week of a semester may be required to have instructor consent before receiving certain services.

Services available include test proctoring, note-taking, scribing, interpreting, assistive technology, advocacy, and providing audio texts and Braille access, as well as referrals to other support services on campus and to community resources.

For more information, contact the Office of Disability Services in Main Building, Room 129, (513) 569-1775.

Honors Program

The Honors Program is a program for highly motivated, highly qualified students enrolled at Cincinnati State. Students in the Honors Program participate in challenging coursework, close student-instructor interactions, and interdisciplinary and intercultural explorations. The goal of the program is to enable qualified students to transfer to a senior institution or enter a professional field at a high level of ability by developing the leadership, creativity, and cognitive skills that foster lifelong career success. Admission to the Honors Program allows students to enroll in specially designed Honors courses and to participate in cultural, social, scientific, and community events.

The Honors Program at Cincinnati State is open to all full-time and part-time degree seeking students in all divisions who meet Honors Program entrance criteria. For more information see the Honors Program description in the Academic Divisions section of this catalog.

International Students Office

The International Student Office is responsible for developing programs to support and serve the international student community. It also provides admission advising and immigration regulation assistance, helps students adapt to the campus environment and to seek internal and external referral resources. The office is located in Main Building, Room 196, phone (513) 569-4769, or email Bryan Wright , Manager, International Student Affairs.

MyServices

MyServices is the pathway to web-based student services at Cincinnati State. Through MyServices, students can register, add and drop classes, view and print their class schedules, make payments, check on financial aid status, view and print their grade reports, and access a variety of other services. To access MyServices, go to the Cincinnati State website at www.cincinnatistate.edu , and then choose MyCState. Log in with username and password, then choose the MyServices tab.

Study Abroad

Education abroad is fast becoming a major part of a student’s college experience. Cincinnati State has affiliation agreements with The University of Arizona Yangtze International Study Abroad program (YISA) and International Studies Abroad (ISA). Students are not limited to these affiliated programs and are free to participate in any other school/organization-sponsored programs. Inquiries about Study Abroad should be directed to Bryan Wright , Manager, International Student Affairs, in Main Building, Room 196, phone (513) 569-4769.

Success Center (Tutoring Services)

Cincinnati State provides free tutoring services to any student enrolled at the College. There are two locations: The Success Center Main (Room 261, Main Building) and The Success Center on the first floor of the Advanced Technology & Learning Center (ATLC).

The Success Centers at Cincinnati State serve as resources to support, improve and enhance student learning. This is achieved through the combined efforts of faculty, staff and tutors. In addition to faculty and staff volunteers and paid staff, student tutors work in the Success Center. Student tutors have received an A or B in their coursework. Tutors are interviewed, trained, and hired upon the recommendation of Cincinnati State faculty members.

Tutoring can be provided for most courses when students request assistance. Tutors can share ideas, interpret and clarify terms, and guide their students’ efforts. However, they will not do the tutored student’s homework. They may answer questions and explain terms and concepts, but may not correct written work before it is turned in. The student must attend class regularly, read the textbook, be prepared for tutoring sessions, have relevant questions, and complete all homework assignments. These efforts will facilitate academic success.

For more information, email ask@cincinnatistate.edu or phone (513) 569-1614.

TRIO/Support Services for Students

Staff members in Student Support Services work with first-generation, low income, and/or disabled students who demonstrate an academic need. The goal of the program is to assist students in completing an associate’s degree and then transferring to a baccalaureate program. Tutoring, academic coaching, and other support services are provided.

Veterans Affairs

The Office of Veteran Student Affairs at Cincinnati State offers assistance to veterans, eligible dependents, and selected reservists who wish to initiate, continue, or resume using their VA educational benefits.

The office provides benefit counseling, assistance with filing claims to the Department of Veterans Affairs, admission advising, and referrals to other support services on campus and to various community agencies. The office also monitors student degree plans and graduation progress. Information sessions are held weekly.

The State Approving Agency for Veterans Training has approved Cincinnati State for the education and training of veterans and all their dependents under all existing public laws. Inquiries concerning eligibility should be directed to the Coordinator of Veteran Student Affairs in Main Building, Room 184, phone (513) 569-1543.

Writing Center

The Writing Center at Cincinnati State offers tutorial support, free of charge, to students whose coursework includes written assignments. All students across the curriculum are welcome to explore new ideas through writing, and the Writing Center – located in Room 235, Main Building – enables students to do so successfully.

The Writing Center’s mission is to provide students with the best help possible, so it employs tutors who are qualified, experienced writing instructors teaching a variety of classes on campus or at other institutions. They are familiar with the requirements and expectations of courses involving writing. Limited walk-in service is available, but appointments are preferred.