Student Support Services

Tutoring

Tutoring is available to all Ripon College students. Tutors are students who have been recommended by their professors and trained by the Student Support Services staff. These tutors serve as a supplement to faculty assistance. If you have questions about tutoring, email tutoring@ripon.edu.

Costs: Free tutoring is available for selected participants in Student Support Services, with a small fee charged to non-participants and inactive program-eligible students. Tutoring fee waivers are available to students who are active in the program but have not been selected as participant members.

Academic, Life & Career Guidance

Guidance in choosing a career and in choosing a major is available. Career shadowing opportunities are made available to students when possible.

Student Support Services & McNair Scholars Staff

Director
Dan Krhin
KrhinD@ripon.edu
(920) 748-8394

Assistant Director & Disability Services Coordinator
Lisa Zeman
ZemanL@ripon.edu
(920) 748- 8837

Assistant Director & Tutoring Coordinator
Jessi Budzisz
(920) 748-8702

Office Manager
Ellen Plantz
plantze@ripon.edu
(920) 748-8107

Jenny Schroth’s Story

Jenny Reese-Schroth

As a senior at Shiocton High School, I was not sure I wanted to attend college. However, as valedictorian with a 4.0 GPA I was expected to further my education. I chose to attend Ripon College because I was very impressed with the support offered by the staff and faculty and the “small” town feeling. I soon discovered that being a college freshman was harder than I had imagined. New friends, a new community, sharing a room with someone with very different values, and homesickness was a lot to handle! I found support from Ripon’s SSS Program. As a low-income, first generation student, I was an active member of the SSS Program. I met several times a month with the staff (Dan and Jessica) to discuss the challenges I was facing. I shed several tears and even seriously thought about dropping out of college. However, Dan and Jessica’s belief in me never waivered. They knew I could succeed in college if only I found my niche and learned to believe in myself.

One of several benefits of being involved in SSS my freshman year is that I had a peer contact – an upperclassman that served as a mentor and offered support and resources along the way. I soon discovered that I no longer wanted to be the mentee; I wanted to be the mentor! Interviews were held the end of my freshman year and I was thrilled when I was offered the opportunity to become a peer contact starting my sophomore year. I had been through hard times and wanted to help students in similar situations! I thrived as a peer contact and continued the position through graduation. Little by little, I was discovering that my long term career goals included mentoring young people and encouraging them to continue to pursue their education and their own dreams and goals. As a result, junior and senior year, I also tutored numerous students in several different classes. This experience made me realize that the one on one aspect is what I really enjoyed!

In addition to SSS assisting me in both personal and professional endeavors, they also helped me secure Supplemental Grant Aid, which was an important factor in my ability to continue my education. In addition, SSS introduced me to research opportunities available through the McNair Program, which proved to be life changing! The McNair Program is intended to introduce low income, first generation, or minority students to graduate school with the hope that they will then attend and graduate from a grad program.

I attended the McNair Program at the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities, which allowed me to explore my career interests, while conducting research within the Sociology Department at a graduate school level, all expenses paid! I had the freedom to create my own research project based on my own personal interests and had the opportunity to work closely with a professor, which created a personal learning environment.

The McNair Research Program opened my eyes to possibilities I didn’t even realize existed. Prior to McNair, I hadn’t even considered attending graduate school. How could I afford it? However, after my McNair experience, graduate school became my immediate educational goal. As a McNair scholar, I was eligible for graduate application waivers and for scholarships to attend graduate school. I was honored to receive a scholarship worth approximately $30,000 to attend graduate school at the University of Minnesota, where I graduated with a M.A. degree in Counseling and Student Personnel in May 07.

Recently, I became the Director of Career Services at Globe Universtiy in Appleton. Prior to this, I was employed at St. Norbert College as the Assistant Director of Internships in the Career Services Office. Both positions have allowed me to continue my dream of mentoring students and helping them to realize and achieve their own educational and career goals.

Peer Contacts

Peer Contacts are upper level students hired by SSS to meet regularly with first year eligible students to assist with the academic and social transition from high school to college. Peer Contacts are Ripon College students who have gone through training and serve as a positive influence and resource to first year students.

Resume Assistance

Students can receive assistance on creating and editing their resume and formulating cover and thank-you letters. A resume writing workshop is offered every spring to all students on campus.

Cultural Enrichment Experiences

Student Support Services provides opportunities for participants to experience cultural activities and events on and off campus. Past events have included trips to Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, and Appleton to see productions like The Lion King, Wicked, Stomp, Lord of the Dance, and more.

Bridge Program

The Ripon College Bridge program is a three-day event designed to ease the transition to college for eligible students. The program consists of a variety of experiences to help students become acquainted with their new environment. Students will:

• Move in early. Participants move to campus before other students arrive.
• Form a support network with classmates, staff, and faculty.
• Learn about all of the educational & cultural services available at Ripon.
• Develop valuable study skills and improve their writing skills.
• Meet peer contacts.

Financial Literacy Workshops

All are welcome and encouraged to join us at our four part series of Financial Literacy and Intelligence workshops for the semester starting on Monday, October 29th in Todd Wehr 104 sponsored by Student Support Services & McNair Scholars. These classes have been very well attended every year and focus on topics that are extremely important for everyone to hear about regarding planning for a sound, reasonable and workable financial future.

Dates:

• Monday, October 29th
• Monday, November 5th
• Monday, November 12th
• Monday, November 19st

Time: 4:15– 5:45 p.m.

Location: Todd Wehr 104

About the Presenter:

The presenter, Jeff Kemp, has received a number of community volunteer and service awards for providing these workshops free of charge to organizations and schools throughout NE Wisconsin. He looks forward to coming to Ripon College every year because of the level of interest displayed by the community.