Academic Resources and Support Services

Center for Global Education and Diversity

The Center for Global Education and Diversity fosters Wilkes’ mission of educating students “in a constantly evolving and multicultural world.” The Center provides institutional and regional leadership and programming in global education and diversity issues. The Center advises, supports, and advocates for students from underrepresented groups and international students who have come to the US to study at Wilkes. The Center brings diversity and a global perspective to the Wilkes community by sponsoring campus- wide programs to develop a broader understanding of the world and providing support in matters of diversity, internationalization, and inclusion. The Center is an important resource and support for all areas of the University. The Center is composed of three offices: International Student Services, the Office of Diversity Initiatives, and the Office of International Engagement. Services of the Center include:

• Support for students from underrepresented groups such as women, ethnic and religious minorities, gay/lesbian/transsexual/transgender, and individuals with disabilities;
• Support for international students, faculty, and staff;
• Multicultural programming;
• Global Hub and Colonel Closet Extension (8:30-4:30)-lounge with workspace, t.v., computers, coffee
• International & Diversity Graduation Celebration
• Reservations for the Savitz Lounge in the Henry Student Center
• Oversight of the Panamanian IFARHU sponsored students from admission to graduation

Staffing for the Center:

Cathy Lee Arcuino, Ed.D., Executive Director (cathylee.arcuino@wilkes.edu)
Crystal Cool, Assistant Director of International Student Services (crystal.cool@wilkes.edu)
Madison Becker, Assistant Director, Office of International Engagement (madison.becker@wilkes.edu)
Yeison Santamaria, Program Coordinator, Office of International Engagement (yeison.santamaria@wilkes.edu)
MaryEllen McLean, Assistant, International Student Services, (maryellen.mclean@wilkes.edu)

The Center is located in the Max Roth Center at the corner of South Franklin and West South Streets. The Center’s staff may be reached by calling (570) 408-7854 (or ext. 7854 from a campus phone).

English Language Center

The Wilkes University English Language Center offers an assortment of programs to meet the varying needs of adult English-language learners.

Our Mission

The Wilkes University English Language Center provides English for academic and professional programming which supports the core Wilkes values of mentorship, scholarship, diversity, innovation and community.

Our Goals

• Supply state-of-the-art, individualized English language instruction to meet learners’ language, cultural and professional goals.
• Empower students to successfully function in English in a multicultural and diverse world.
• Serve Wilkes University faculty and departments, by providing programs which meet the needs of their English learning students.
• Provide highly qualified faculty who encourage academic success and provide leadership in the areas of intercultural understanding and cooperation.

Our Programs

Intensive English Program

Mission

The mission of Intensive English Program (IEP) at Wilkes is to provide quality instruction in English as a second language (ESL) to English language learning students planning to pursue university studies in America. To this end, the program provides students with curricula, classroom materials, and teaching methods well-grounded in the latest theory, research, and practice of second language learning and teaching.

We aim to:

• Provide high quality English language instruction;
• Prepare students for further academic study in the U.S. through a well-articulated curricula;
• Provide English language instruction for personal growth;
• Provide students with the guidance they need to successfully reach their academic or professional goals;
• Provide highly qualified faculty who encourage academic success and provide leadership in the areas of intercultural understanding and cooperation;
• Provide learner-centered instruction to meet student academic needs;
• Provide services relating to admission, counseling, academic

The IEP’s classes are divided into six levels: beginning, low intermediate, intermediate, high intermediate, advanced, and high advanced. Across the six levels, all students are required to take reading, writing, listening/speaking, grammar, and computer lab. Other courses offered at certain levels include conversation skills, vocabulary, and IELTS or TOEFL test prep. Students enjoy small classes and individual attention from certified ESL instructors.

Reading - The intensive reading curriculum is divided into six levels: beginner, high beginner, intermediate, high intermediate, advanced, and high advanced. At the beginning levels, students develop their ability to read and write words, phrases, and sentences. They also learn basic skills and strategies designed to improve decoding, vocabulary acquisition, and reading comprehension. The intermediate levels build upon these skills and focus more on developing literal comprehension, fluency, vocabulary development, and critical thinking skills. At the advanced levels, students become proficient in the skills required for academic studies with a continued emphasis on vocabulary development and analytical comprehension. Literature and critical analysis of readings also serve as sources for refining and expanding students’ critical and academic reading skills.

Writing- Students undergo intensive courses in writing. Throughout the six levels, the focus remains on the academic language skills needed for entrance into English 101 and for university studies. The courses focus on academic writing, beginning at the sentence level in level one and expanding to the writing of expository and argumentative essays, summaries of academic readings and current events, critical analysis of readings in literature, research and documentation in the advanced levels.

Listening and Speaking- These courses provide instruction in listening and speaking for all levels. Thematic topics relevant to university students formulate the basis for intellectually stimulating listening, speaking and critical thinking tasks. The courses aim to prepare students for successful receptive and productive communication in social and academic environments. Students begin by learning basic survival vocabulary and simple conversational strategies and progress to extrapolating key points from lectures and readings to prepare presentations, debates, conversations and other activities that demonstrate understanding of material covered and preparedness for university studies.

Grammar - These courses provide students with a thorough and systematic review of grammatical structures and their use inauthentic language situations. The emphasis in the beginning and intermediate levels is on the basic mechanics of the language and the correct formation of complete sentences. This is taught primarily via a communicative approach. The beginner level uses a multimedia program and a variety of interactive tools to engage students in learning. Intermediate levels use a variety of pair and group work, media clips, and exercises to learn and reinforce grammar rules through oral and written language production. Advanced levels focus more on the structures necessary for academic English writing and speaking, including more complex sentence and verb structures. The objectives for these classes are needs-based and are driven by the grammar errors common among our student population.

Vocabulary 1-2

Students will take academic vocabulary courses. All classes focus on the University Word List (UWL) and utilize tasks to assist students in acquisition of these words. A skills based approach is utilized to learn vocabulary while reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

IELTS/TOEFL - We also offer IELTS and TOEFL iBT preparation depending on student needs. These classes are offered on Mondays and Wednesdays and Tuesdays and Thursdays and are available only to level 3, 4, 5 and 6 students.

University Preparatory Program

The mission of the University Preparatory Program (UPP) is to provide English learners (ELs) with the necessary skills and strategies required to effectively transition to and succeed in an academic, collegiate environment. The program offers participating students the ability to expand upon and refine their core set of academic skills, while fostering an appreciation of educational growth and diversity, necessary to contribute to the global, learning community. Students earn 12 credits towards their undergraduate degree while obtaining the English language skills needed to succeed at University.

Academic Component Program Outcomes:

1. Students will demonstrate critical thinking and analysis in written and oral communication.
2. Students will demonstrate understanding of academic vocabulary and content.
3. Students will produce advanced grammatical structures in spoken and written academic discourse.
4. Students will demonstrate ability to properly format academic writing.
5. Students will effectively analyze, paraphrase and synthesize information.
6. Students will formulate ideas, proposals, solutions, or arguments, independently and collaboratively.

Courses

ESL 100 - Reading and Writing 
3 Credits
This course focuses on the connection between critical thinking and academic reading and writing skills necessary to analyze academic texts and produce collegiate-level compositions. It emphasizes the utilization of reading comprehension strategies and writing process skills to respond to various readings and to develop vocabulary expansion. This course also requires a research paper that utilizes the basic formatting and referencing of sources using MLA style documentation.

ESL 102 - Listening and Speaking 
3 Credits
This course is a cohesive, integrated, and structured approach, to developing and expanding upon key listening and speaking skills of transitioning, English language learners (ELLs), as to ensure successful matriculation to a collegiate, academic environment. Therein, students will address defined, critical abilities, as a way in which to increase their capacities to engage in academic processes that include and demand superior listening and speaking skills within higher educational institutions and curricula.

ESL 103 - Test Prep 
3 Credits
This course has been designed to serve as an integrated and structured approach to providing and expanding upon critical test preparation strategies and study skills for transitioning, English language learners (ELLs), as to ensure successful matriculation toa collegiate, academic environment. Utilizing a multifaceted configuration of classroom instruction and independent, online study, students will be provided with extensive practice of the most key academic skills and methodologies, as a way in which to increase their capacities to engage in academic processes that include and demand a superior skill set within higher educational institutions and curricula.

FYF 101 - First-Year Foundations 
Credits: 3
The mission of the First-Year Foundations Program is to provide rigorous learning experiences that challenge first-year students to develop the strategies essential for a successful transition into the Wilkes campus community. Each section of FYF is unique in content and constitutes a special topics course in which faculty members are encouraged to explore topics that are of special interest to them. All sections of FYF, regardless of specific topic, share a common core of objectives that facilitate significant learning experiences (inside and beyond the classroom) by which first-year students develop self-knowledge as learners and members of an academic community, intellectual curiosity, openness to diversity, and a capacity for lifelong learning and civic responsibility.

Activities designed to foster and develop effective writing, critical thinking, and information literacy skills are integral components of all FYF courses. In addition, the FYF Program connects students to a wide variety of University resources, including the advising and tutoring services of University College, the extensive holdings and services of the Farley Library, and the rich array of cultural events sponsored by the University.

Au-Pair English

Au Pair Program Options
The Wilkes University English Language Center offers you different opportunities to obtain the 60 hours or 72 hours/6 credits au pairs need. You may take courses in either our Intensive English Program, University Preparatory Program or audit undergraduate classes. The path you enroll in depends upon your English proficiency.

Beginner to High Intermediate Path
Take two classes in our Intensive English Program.

Advanced Path
Take two classes in our University Preparatory Program.

High Advanced Path
Take one University Preparatory Program class and audit an undergraduate class of your choosing. Au-pairs will also join in the IEP cultural activities, and have access to American conversation partners.

Special Programs

Special programs are designed and tailored towards groups of students with specific English language learning goals. These programs combine cultural activities with specialized language learning. Programs can coordinate with academic departments on campus and enabling participants to work with professors who specialize in their discipline while simultaneously taking courses to improve language skills.

Students enrolled in special programs have the opportunity to interact with American professionals in their fields, and to experience the culture and study how it impacts their profession or learning interest.

International Student and Scholar Services

The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISS) is part of the Center for Global Education & Diversity. It works with units across campus to provide these services to international students who come to the U.S. to study:

• Immigration and visa information assistance both before and after coming to Wilkes
• Advice on academic, cultural, and personal issues.
• Liaison between students and other offices and departments on campus
• Collaboration with a variety of offices and constituencies, including U.S. and foreign government agencies, other campus offices and departments, and the community,
• Assistance with processes and offices outside of Wilkes University such as the DMV and Social Security Office.

A mandatory international student orientation is held every semester for new International students. Students are guided through topics such as:

• Adjusting to life in the United States
• Adjusting to the American educational system.
• Resources available to them at Wilkes University

For more information contact:

Crystal Cool, Assistant Director of International Student and Scholar Services/Immigration Specialist, (crystal.cool@wilkes.edu)
Cathy Lee Arcuino, Executive Director, Global Engagement (cathylee.arcuino@wilkes.edu)
MaryEllen McLean, Assistant, International Student Services, (maryellen.mclean@wilkes.edu)

Office of International Engagement (OIE)

The Office of International Engagement (OIE) is part of the Center for Global Education & Diversity. It works with units across campus to provide services for Panamanian students sponsored by IFARHU who come to the U.S. to study:

• Academic support as students learn English and throughout their undergraduate studies
• Workshops about living in the U.S. and adjusting to the American educational system.
• Extra-curricular and co-curricular activities to enhance their educational, social, and personal development.

For more information contact:

Madison Becker, Assistant Director, Office of International Engagement (madison.becker@wilkes.edu)
Yeison Santamaria, Program Coordinator, Office of International Engagement (yeison.santamaria@wilkes.edu)

University College

University College, housed in Conyngham Hall at 130 South River Street, is the point of entry and home for all undeclared students until they select their major field of study. The College provides academic support services and supplemental instruction for all enrolled and prospective students, administers the University’s precollege enrichment programs, coordinates with the academic departments to provide an effective program of academic advisement for undeclared students, and houses the Disability Support Services of the University. The programs and services offered by University College are described in the following subsections.

Act 101 Program

A special program for students from Pennsylvania who need academic and financial support, the Act 101 Program allows educationally underprepared students to improve their skills in verbal and written communication, reading comprehension, mathematics, and problem solving, all in an effort to acquaint these students with and help them adjust to the many new experiences associated with a college education. The program provides for tutoring and counseling to enhance the student’s potential for success in the college environment. Inquiries about Act 101 should be directed to the Act 101 Office in Conyngham Hall or to the Office of Admissions.

Disability Support Services

If a student has a disability that qualifies under the Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and requires accommodations, he or she should contact the Disability Support Office in University College for information about applicable policies and procedures. The Disability Support office is located on the third floor of Conyngham Hall, Room 311.

Student Advisement

University College coordinates the Freshman Advising Program and regularly collaborates with and provides training for academic advisors throughout the academic year to ensure student success.

Specially selected faculty members and administrators have been designated as Freshman Advisors on the basis of their knowledge of curricular matters and, more generally, on the basis of their knowledge of the University and its resources and services. Each freshman is assigned to a Freshman Advisor during the Summer Orientation period and will meet with that advisor regularly during the Orientation period and throughout the academic year to arrange schedules, discuss academic and career plans, and address problems or concerns as they arise. These faculty advisors bring the special expertise of their disciplines to the advising process.

If, upon admission to the University, the student has indicated a preferred major, that student will be assigned a Freshman Advisor from the relevant department or program at the beginning of his or her studies. Students who have not identified a major field of study at the time of admission to the University work with advisors from University College who have a special expertise in advising undeclared students. University College Advisors work with undeclared students until a major field of study has been selected; once a major field of study has been declared, the student is assigned to a departmental advisor in his or her chosen field of study.

University Library Services

Eugene S. Farley Library

The Eugene S. Farley Library, named in honor of the first president of Wilkes University, is located on the corner of South Franklin and West South Streets. It is one of the largest resource libraries in the region, with more the 175,000 volumes of books and bound journals, 340,000 electronic books, over 60 journals and newspaper subscriptions, 84,000 full text online journals, microforms, instructional audio-video materials, and a growing collection of classic films on DVD. The library holds fine collections in English and American literature, history, the sciences, mathematics, and sizable collections in other academic disciplines reflected in the University curriculum.

Also housed in the library are the University Archives, four special collections rooms, and a SMART classroom. Students have access to 82 desktop computers, thirty wireless laptops, and forty iPads that can be used anywhere within the library’s wireless environment. Farley Library is home to the Alden Learning Commons, a technology rich learning environment that has four enclosed group study rooms, twenty open group study areas that can accommodate groups of one to six students, the University Writing Center, and the Information Technology Computer Clinic and Help Desk.

Library hours during the academic year are from 8:00 am to 12:00 midnight, Monday through Thursday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm on Friday, 11:00 am - 6:00 pm on Saturday, and 3:00 pm to 11:00 pm on Sunday. The Alden Learning Commons is opened on a 24/7basis and is accessible to faculty and students via an University ID swipe card system. Patrons can get research help via SMS text message from any mobile phone via the library’s Text A Librarian reference service. Summer sessions and holiday hours, as well as any changes to the regular library schedule, are posted at the library entrance and on the library Web site. Library services are available online 24/7 at www.wilkes.edu/library.

Telephone: (570) 408-4250.

Farley Library Regulations:

1. Use your valid Wilkes University I.D. card to obtain library privileges.
2. You are responsible for all materials charged out on your identification card. A valid Wilkes I.D. enables Wilkes University students to borrow books year-round at Misericordia University, Keystone College, King’s College, Luzerne County Community College, Marywood University, and the University of Scranton.
3. Books circulate for one month. Renewals may be made in person, by telephone, or online from the patron access area of the Farley Library catalog - Sierra. A book may be renewed once. DVDs circulate for three days (no renewal). Charges are levied for all overdue and damaged materials. Failure to pay fines or to return borrowed materials will result in denial of transcripts until fines are paid and materials returned.
4. Periodicals, journals, reference materials, and microform materials do not circulate. Reference materials, periodicals, and journal articles in print and microfilm format may be photocopied in accordance with the provisions of the U.S. copyright law.
5. To provide an optimum environment for study, all cellular phones and pagers must be kept on silent alert (vibration or visible flash) while in the library.
6. The University reserves the right to refer for disciplinary action patrons who have violated Library policy.

Farley Library Services

1. Reference Assistance: Professional staff is available for assisting students in their research endeavors.
2. Library Orientation: Group library orientation can be arranged for students upon request.
3. Bibliographic Instruction: Specific instruction in the use of library collections and reference tools is available for students upon request of the instructor.
4. Interlibrary Loan: This service is provided for students, faculty, and staff to supplement research needs. Inquire at the Reference Department for details.
5. Media Services: Media staff will have audiovisual equipment needed for classroom usage delivered to sites on campus. At least a 24-hour notice is required. Videos and DVDs may be reserved one week in advance of the expected need. The Library Media Room (Room 002) is also available, on a first-come, first-served basis, for classes or events.
6. Reserve Materials: Collateral course reading materials placed on reserve by faculty are maintained at the Circulation Desk.
7. Photocopying facilities for printed materials and micro materials are available in the library. A color copier is located on the first floor. Users are reminded to observe the restrictions placed on photocopying by the U.S. copyright law. The law and interpretive documents are available at the Circulation Desk.
8. Online searching of auxiliary databases is available by appointment through the Reference Department to support faculty research.

Music Collection

Darte Hall, on the corner of South River and West South Streets, houses a separate collection of music scores and recordings. For information about accessing materials housed in the music collection, call (570) 408-4420.

University Preparatory Program

The mission of the University Preparatory Program (UPP) is to provide international students with the necessary skills and strategies required to effectively transition to and succeed in an academic, collegiate environment. The program offers participating students the ability to expand upon and refine their core set of academic skills, while fostering an appreciation of educational growth and diversity, necessary to contribute to the global, learning community. Students earn 12 credits towards their undergraduate degree while obtaining the English language skills needed to succeed at University.

Academic Component Program Outcomes:

1. Students will demonstrate critical thinking and analysis in written and oral communication.
2. Students will demonstrate understanding of academic vocabulary and content.
3. Students will produce advanced grammatical structures in spoken and written academic discourse.
4. Students will demonstrate ability to properly format academic writing.
5. Students will effectively analyze, paraphrase and synthesize information.
6. Students will formulate ideas, proposals, solutions, or arguments, independently and collaboratively.

Courses

ESL 100 - Reading and Writing 
3 Credits
This course focuses on the connection between critical thinking and academic reading and writing skills necessary to analyze academic texts and produce collegiate level compositions. It emphasizes the utilization of reading comprehension strategies and writing process skills to respond to various readings and to develop vocabulary expansion. This course also requires a research paper which utilizes the basic formatting and referencing of sources using MLA style documentation.

ESL 102 - Listening and Speaking 
3 Credits
This course is a cohesive, integrated, and structured approach, to developing and expanding upon key listening and speaking skills of transitioning, English language learners (ELLs), as to ensure successful matriculation to a collegiate, academic environment. Therein, students will address defined, critical abilities, as a way in which to increase their capacities to engage in academic processes that include and demand superior listening and speaking skills within higher educational institutions and curricula.

ESL 103 - Test Prep 
3 Credits
This course has been designed to serve as an integrated and structured approach to providing and expanding upon critical test preparation strategies and study skills for transitioning, English language learners (ELLs), as to ensure successful matriculation toa collegiate, academic environment. Utilizing a multifaceted configuration of classroom instruction and independent, online study, students will be provided with extensive practice of the most key academic skills and methodologies, as a way in which to increase their capacities to engage in academic processes that include and demand a superior skill set within higher educational institutions and curricula.

FYF 101 - First-Year Foundations 
Credits: 3
The mission of the First-Year Foundations Program is to provide rigorous learning experiences that challenge first-year students to develop the strategies essential for a successful transition into the Wilkes campus community. Each section of FYF is unique in content and constitutes a special topics course in which faculty members are encouraged to explore topics that are of special interest to them. All sections of FYF, regardless of specific topic, share a common core of objectives that facilitate significant learning experiences (inside and beyond the classroom) by which first-year students develop self-knowledge as learners and members of an academic community, intellectual curiosity, openness to diversity, and a capacity for lifelong learning and civic responsibility. Activities designed to foster and develop effective writing, critical thinking, and information literacy skills are integral components of all FYF courses. In addition, the FYF Program connects students to a wide variety of University resources, including the advising and tutoring services of University College, the extensive holdings and services of the Farley Library, and the rich array of cultural events sponsored by the University.

University Writing Center

The University Writing Center, located in the Alden Learning Commons (lower level of the Farley Library), is available to all Wilkes students who seek personal assistance with writing. Instructors may refer students to the Center for help in honing their writing skills

Upward Bound Program

A federal program at Wilkes since 1967, the Upward Bound Program provides disadvantaged high school students with a college preparatory program of curricular and extracurricular activities designed to improve academic skills and self-confidence and to deepen curiosity and human understanding. Students attend weekly classes and tutoring and counseling sessions on campus. In the summer, the six-week residential program prepares students for fall classes and provides intensive career guidance.