A special summit at Wayne State University will explore strategies for helping students achieve academic success. The Student Academic Success Summit, to be held Friday, Feb. 27, in WSU's Undergraduate Library, will focus on how faculty members, staff, administrators and other members of the campus community assist students in "Building Momentum Toward Success."

The summit's keynote speaker will be John N. Gardner, executive director, Policy Center on the First Year of College, and distinguished professor, University of South Carolina and Brevard College. Dr. Gardner will share his expertise in higher education on enhancing the learning, success, retention and graduation of students in transition, especially first-year students. As a special feature of the summit, the audience will be divided into discussion sessions, followed by a debriefing session with Dr. Gardner. Attendees then choose from nine concurrent breakout sessions on topics: critical reading, learning strategies, emotional intelligence, transitioning from community college to university, retention, classroom learning activities, plagiarism, employability skills and first-year writing.

Exhibits and a literature table from Barnes and Noble bookstore will be prominently displayed in the "Windows on the Arts."

The day will conclude with a Town Forum - facilitated by Dr. Gardner - that will explore how the day's events will further enrich Wayne State. Presenters include academic advisors, faculty, learning specialists, staff and others. A special panel discussion features students and faculty sharing their perceptions of what goes into student success.

Jack Kay, associate provost, Student Academic Success Services, believes that all members of the campus community will benefit from the event.

"We are delighted to have this event that will help provide practical methods for enhancing student success," Kay said.

Members of the WSU community and the general public are invited, but pre-registration is required. Please visit Second Annual Student Academic Success Summit 2004 or call (313) 577-9075 for more information.

Wayne State University is a premier institution offering more than 350 academic programs through 13 schools and colleges to more than 33,000 students in metropolitan Detroit.