1. Q. Am I considered dumb if I become an SSS
participant?
A. Absolutely not! The above qualifications include
students from all academic backgrounds. During
the past two years approximately 62% of our
participants earned a GPA of 3.0 and higher
during their fall semester with over 1/2 of those
making the Dean’s List. Pretty impressive don’t
you think?
Q. Am I out of luck in joining SSS if I don’t
participate in the Freshman Transition Scholars
Program?
A. The answer is no. Although you are missing out on a
great opportunity for a fantastic jump start to your college
career at SHU, if qualified you are welcome to join SSS in
the fall. However, you could be placed on a waiting list
and miss out on the early benefits of belonging to SSS. So
why not consider becoming a participant of the FTSP now
and reap the benefits?
Commonly asked questions:
For more information
contact any of the SSS staff:
WHY
CHOOSE
FTSP?
Michele B. Buku, Director
mbuku@sienaheights.edu - (517) 264-7631
Laura Lyall, SSS Learning Specialist
& Coordinator of Disability Resources
llyall@sienaheights.edu or (517) 264-7683
Sally Snyder, Office Manager
ssnyder@sienaheights.edu or (517) 264-7630
Jonathon Marowelli, Program Coordinator
and Coordinator of Freshman Transition Scholars Program
jmarowel@sienaheights.edu (517) 264-7616
Webpage: www.SienaHeights.edu/SSS
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SienaHeightsSSS
Twitter: www.twitter.com/SHU3S
“A lot of fun. Glad I was here to meet new people and get
a head start at Siena. If I could, I’d do it again.”
“This program really changed my outlook on college, in a
good way. It is a lot different than high school. But this
program has helped! I love the people I met and mentors
who helped me.”
“This program has been an amazing experience. Going
into college I was nervous about finding a group of
friends. We are a family and I couldn’t be happier.”
“I feel more prepared for the year and the program really
helped me understand and know what is needed to be
successful this year.”
“I’m so thankful for the experience. I feel prepared and
ready for classes to start. I learned many useful things
that I can apply to my college career.”
“Made new friends and it made me feel more comfortable
around campus.”
“I love this program. It was so helpful. I couldn’t imagine
not doing it. I met lots of great people and learned many
useful things about how to survive here at Siena. I would
recommend this for any freshman who can take it.”
August 9-20, 2014
FRESHMAN
SCHOLARS
PROGRAM
TRANSITION

2. • First Generation in College:
If neither parent/legal guardian has earned
a four-year baccalaureate degree. (This
includes if you lived with, and received
support from, one parent/guardian who
does not hold a four-year degree.)
• Limited Family Income:
A student whose family income falls within
limits set by the U.S. Department of Educa-
tion and verified by Siena Heights Univ.
• Documented Disability:
This includes a diagnosed physical and/
or mental impairment which substantially
limits that person’s ability to participate in
their educational experience.
Benefits of the FTSP
Freshman Transition
(LAS 101, 2 credit hours):
All FTSP participants will complete this class
during the 12-day summer program. In this class,
you will complete five seminars which will assist
you in transitioning into college life. Seminars
include: Academic Writing, Career Exploration,
Success Strategies, Financial Literacy and Library
Skills. Through these seminars, you will experi-
ence the course work and expectations of a col-
lege level course as well as develop the necessary
skills to have a successful first year at SHU.
The best part is you will earn 2 credit hours of
graded work which will count toward your gradu-
ation requirement from SHU! Upon successful
completion of all requirements for this course,
you will have an opportunity to begin your fall
semester with a 4.0 gpa.
In addition, as an FTSP participant you will be
asked to meet weekly with a SSS staff member
to discuss, highlight or help you to resolve any
concerns or difficulties you may be experiencing
during the transitional period.
Mentor Program
As an FTSP participant, you’ll be matched with a
mentor soon after arriving for the summer pro-
gram.Your mentor will be an upper-class student
who’sbeen where you are and successfully transi-
tioned from high school to college. He or she will
be a resource, guide and friend throughout your
first year.
WHO can participate?
To qualify for SSS, participants meet a combina-
tion of the following Federal regulations:
(Guidelines as to the number of students served varies with each of these
qualifications. Therefore, some students may be placed on a waiting list.)
Get a JUMP on success:
Start your college experience right by
participating in a 12-day program designed
just for you - a newcomer who wants to
achieve success at Siena Heights University.
As a participant in the Freshman Transition
Scholars Program (FTSP), you will move
into the residence halls on Saturday, August
9, 2014. After a welcome ceremony, you’ll
wave goodbye to your parents, meet with the
mentors and join other program participants
for supper and social activity.
In the next 11 days, you’ll learn new study
skills and time management strategies, meet
some of Siena’s faculty and staff, brush up on
some of the basics, and get to know your peer
mentor - an upper level student who’s made a
successful transition to university life and who
will be a resource for you through your first
year at SHU.
And of course, you’ll make a lot of friends.
By the time Welcome Weekend arrives on
Wednesday, August 20, you’ll be comfortably
settled in, confident about the semester
ahead, and ready to start classes on Aug. 25.
TOP TEN reasons
to participate in FTSP:
1. It’s absolutely FREE! (open to resident students
and commuters)
2. Earn 2 college credits before classes begin.
3. Move into your residence hall room early.
4. Get to know faculty and staff, and learn your
way around campus.
5. As a participant in FTSP, become part of the
Student Support Services family.
6. Learn study skills: time management, textbook
reading, note taking, test taking and grammar
dynamics.
7. Learn what college professors look for in
papers and written work.
8. Become familiar with computers and using the
internet for research.
9. Gain a mentor you turn to who’s“been there,
done that.”
10. Participate in an outdoor adventure activity.