Location: Old Main Building, Room B106
Phone: (845) 257-3580
E-mail: CSS@newpaltz.edu
Website: http://www.newpaltz.edu/studentsuccess/

Our focus is on student learning and student success.

Our Mission

The Center for Student Success promotes student learning, academic engagement, and timely degree completion through the coordination of peer-based academic support programs. The Center fosters student persistence and enhanced individualized student outcomes through timely communication between faculty, staff and students.

Through collaborative efforts with faculty, academic departments and student services, the Center provides an inclusive, student-oriented learning environment which stimulates academic engagement and the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and personal attributes in support of lifelong learning.

Our Student Learning Outcomes

As a result of participation in our services (peer advising, writers’ studio, subject tutoring), students will:

  • Be able to identify skills and strategies to study effectively, manage time, and set and achieve academic goals.
  • Be able to utilize skills and strategies to solve novel problems across academic disciplines and overcome obstacles to learning.
  • Gain confidence in their ability to persist in their academic pathway at New Paltz toward a timely graduation.

Students employed at the Center for Student Success (Peer Advisors, Peer Writing Consultants, and Peer Subject Tutors) will:

  • Develop a comprehensive set of skills and tools to communicate effectively in order to build rapport, facilitate learning, and work across differences.
  • Develop a personal leadership style that leverages individual strengths and guides and motivates peers.

How to Schedule a Session at the CSS

Our Services

Writer's Studio

Our Writer's Studio can assist with assignments and other written work at any stage in the writing process. Our Writing Consultants are trained, upper-level undergraduate and graduate peers with diverse majors and experiences. 

Our Writing Consultants can assist with any of the following topics: 

  • reviewing writing prompts or instructions
  • brainstorming
  • prewriting
  • developing an outline
  • developing a thesis
  • developing a draft
  • revising a draft
  • assisting with proofreading strategies
  • review of final draft
  • assist with resource referrals related to citation, grammar, etc.

Sessions at our Writing Studio are one-on-one, 30-minute, student-led sessions at the Center for Student Success. Sessions are limited to one per day and three per week. To get the most out of our sessions, we recommend attending them well in advance of deadlines. Please note that we cannot give class credit or extra credit for attending sessions at this time.

English Language Learners and ESL Students

The Center for Student Success offers specialized writing support to students who are non-native English speakers. To meet with our Graduate Assistant for this purpose, make an appointment on my.newpaltz.edu under "Center for Student Success - Writer's Studio for English Language learners and ESL Students."

Peer Advising

Peer Advisors are trained, upper-level students who can help you build academic skills, understand key educational technologies, and utilize campus resources. Our Peer Advisors come from a variety of backgrounds and majors, all with a common interest of helping other students find personal and academic success.

Some topics Peer Advisors can discuss include:

  • time management
  • creating a study plan for an individual class, all classes or a general schedule
  • registration questions and questions about My Schedule Planner
  • organization and organizing class materials
  • concentration techniques
  • tips to avoid procrastination and increase motivation
  • specific study techniques such as note taking, textbook reading and memorization
  • information about campus resources and how to contact individual offices

Peer Advisors facilitate one-on-one, 30-minute sessions with students throughout the semester. Students can choose to attend one session or a series of sessions to get the assistance they need. 

Our Peer Advisors are available for scheduled one-on-one coaching sessions in Old Main, B106, and for drop-in visits in the lower-level lobby of Wooster Hall, Monday-Friday. To view Peer Advisors' availability, log into my.newpaltz.edu and select Center for Students Success.

Subject Tutoring & Supplemental Instruction

Peer Subject Tutoring at the Center for Student Success provides a collaborative environment where you can come to get help, to work through problems, or to review the material with peers. You can get support with a specific topic or question or just work through the course content with others. Peer Tutors are experienced with the courses and are trained to help you learn effectively. Peer tutoring sessions are in small-group format and take place at the Center for Student Success.

For current tutoring coverage, visit the Subject Tutoring & Supplemental Instruction web page. Students enrolled in classes with tutoring services can make an appointment by going to the "Center for Student Success" tab in my.newpaltz.edu. For questions, please email css@newpaltz.edu.

STAR-NY Online Tutoring Service

STAR-NY provides free, one-on-one, online tutoring in various subjects for enrolled SUNY New Paltz students. Subjects include Introductory Psychology, Economics, Accounting, Biology, Chemistry, and some Mathematics courses. To view availability and get more information, please see the STAR-NY website. Tutoring is generally offered from 7 pm-12 am most evenings.

If you encounter problems with the website, or have any questions, please e-mail onlinetutoring@starny.org.