SUCCESS at STCC


About the Program:

Two programs developed to support the success of male and female-identifying students at Springfield Technical Community College (STCC) are the cornerstone of the college’s efforts. MILE is designed to provide inclusive academic support, mentoring, and community engagement opportunities to male-identifying students, with a focus on Black and Latino males. In collaboration with Success Scholars, MILE staff cultivate spaces and opportunities for students to form a brotherhood and attain academic, personal, and professional success. Lead is a student support program that offers inclusive academic support, leadership, and mentoring opportunities for female-identifying students. Programming consists of leadership development as well as educational, cultural, and civic engagement opportunities.

Students are encouraged to join MILE and Lead at STCC through targeted outreach that follows a hybrid approach. Eligible students may reach out directly for more information and are automatically enrolled unless they request not to join. Recruitment events are also held for other students who could benefit from SUCCESS services. All SUCCESS participants at STCC are supported by MILE or Lead until they earn their certificate or degree. By design, students are unaware that they are receiving services through SUCCESS. Other units that support MILE and Lead include several partners within Student Affairs, including the student success center, financial aid, academic advising, career services, admissions, access services, and disability services.

Student Eligibility

All male-identifying students at STCC are eligible for MILE while female-identifying students are eligible for Lead. Eligible students may include:

  • First-time & continuing students
  • Full-time & part-time students
  • English language learners
  • Students with developmental needs in English and mathematics

Cohort Focus Population

In line with the legislative intent to improve outcomes for the most vulnerable student populations, the following student populations are actively recruited for MILE and Lead at STCC:

  • Minoritized students (i.e., Hispanic or Latino, Black or African American, Cape Verdean, Asian, American Indian or Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander, and multi-racial students)
  • Economically disadvantaged students
  • First-generation college students

Support Services

The following supports are available to SUCCESS students at STCC (differs by program):

Coaching

Academic Advising

Career Advising

Transfer Advising

Scholarship Advising

Case Management

Community Events

Publications

Student Planning

Mentoring

Assessments

Tutoring/study groups

Affinity Groups

Counseling

Field trips to 4yr schools

Summer Programs

Workshops

Leadership Skills Building

Support Network

SUCCESS Initiatives at STCC are supported by over a dozen staff including an assistant dean, five academic & transfer counselors, one academic counselor, one community outreach counselor, one special programs coordinator, two success coaches, three administrative assistants, and four faculty coaches/trainers. MILE and Lead participants have direct liaisons in student financial services,  disability services, the center for access services, career services, academic advising, and admissions. Additionally, numerous student positions support MILE and Lead in the form of peer mentors, peer and professional tutors, and supplemental instructors.


SUCCESS receives funding through the Massachusetts legislature and is supported by the 15 state community colleges, the Massachusetts Association of Community Colleges (MACC), the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE), and the SUCCESS Leadership and Coordinating Committees.