Eagles SOAR I and Eagles SOAR II Departments

Students have discussion around an outdoor table

What is Eagles Soar I?

Eagles Soar I is a $3,000,000 five year competitive grant that was awarded to Faulkner University from the U.S. Department of Education under its Strengthening Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) Program. The grant was awarded for the purpose of improving retention and graduation rates of traditional undergraduate African-American students enrolled at the University. These two goals will be accomplished through the collaborative efforts of its grant staff and university faculty who will provide integrated student support system services to these students from their first day on campus to the day they graduate. The PBI Competitive Grant Program supports PBIs in establishing or strengthening programs in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM), health education, internationalization or globalization, teacher preparation, or improving educational outcomes of African-American males.

Faulkner’s “wrap-around support services” do not exist in a majority of college campuses around the country and they are uniquely situated here at Faulkner University. Students are encouraged to take full advantage of these free services as these services will be available to them beginning Fall 2022!

What is Eagles Soar II?

Eagles Soar II is a $1,250,000 five year formula grant that was awarded to Faulkner University from the U.S. Department of Education under its Strengthening Predominantly Black Institutions (PBI) Program. The grant was awarded for the purpose of enhancing the institution’s capacity for improving retention and graduation rates of more low- and middle-income African-American students enrolled in the Executive and Professional programs at the University. These two goals will be accomplished through the collaborative efforts of its grant staff and university faculty who provide dedicated academic advising and retention services, improving the virtual and in-class learning environment, and training faculty on the latest teaching technology to enhance and improve existing on-line coursework. The PBI Formula Grant Program supports PBIs in expanding higher education opportunities for eligible students by encouraging college preparation and student persistence in secondary school and postsecondary education, and to strengthen the financial ability of the institution to serve the academic needs of these students.

Executive and professional students will have access to a dedicated academic advisor and receive one-on-one intensive academic advising during the academic year.

Eagles Soar I Student Support Services

Academic Coaching, Mentorships

Eagles Soar I Project funding will be used to hire academic coaches from the same cultural backgrounds as Faulkner’s African-American and other minority student groups. Academic coaches at Faulkner hold one-to-one weekly meetings with FTFT students who have between a 0 to a 2.49 GPA after their first semester. Academic coaching involves 30-minute weekly meetings with a trained academic coach to discuss study skills, important upcoming assignments and exams, course struggles, and other academic-related issues and needs.

By August 2022, all incoming African-American males will be assigned to an Academic Coach to meet weekly during their entire first year.

Beginning August 2022, every African-American male student will be assigned a mentor during their first semester on campus.

Supplemental Instruction (SI)

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is an academic support program that targets historically difficult courses. SI is a non-remedial approach to learning enrichment that increases student performance and retention. SI offers regularly scheduled, non-mandatory, out-of-class review sessions to all students enrolled in a targeted course. SI study sessions are informal seminars in which students review notes, discuss readings, develop organizational tools, and prepare for examinations. Students learn how to integrate course content with reasoning and study skills.

Tutoring through the Academic Center for Excellence (ACE)

The ACE is a multidisciplinary learning center that provides a safe and friendly environment for students to receive the academic support they need. The ACE provided one-on-one peer tutoring, independent and group study space, computer and printer usage, and other academic resources. ACE tutors are students who demonstrate exceptional skills in their subject areas, are recommended by their professors, and are vetted by the ACE director. Before beginning their duties, the tutors undergo an in-depth training conducted by the ACE director, who has obtained certification as a tutor trainer through the National Tutoring Association (NTA). Upon successful completion of this training, student tutors are awarded NTA tutor certification.

Books and Laptops Available for Students

We have attained approval from the U.S. Department of Education to purchase $55,166 of text books for needy targeted students in year one of the grant; approval to purchase $25,131 of laptop computers and equipment that will be loaned to needy targeted students in year one of the grant and; and approval to carry-forward $128,000 of projected lapsed funds remaining in the first year of the grant over year two through year five of the grant.

Please contact us (see below) to obtain course books, laptops or other instructional equipment.

STEM and Internships

By August 2023, Faulkner will sponsor six events per year (STEMSeries) designed to introduce African-American male students to STEM majors and careers. By January 2024, the Internship Coordinator will establish an on-line database of internships for African American male students.

Mental Health Counselor

Justin Reese, Mental Health Counselor. 334-386-7983. jreese@faulkner.edu

Eagles Soar I Goals

Improve early success for African-American students through enhanced academic services and access to non-academic wrap around services.
Increase the number of African American students graduating with a bachelor’s degree and work experience in their chosen field.
Improve educational outcomes for African- American males.

Eagles Soar II Goals

Improve early success for African-American American and low-income students through enhanced academic advising and access to non-academic wrap-around services.
Increase the number of Executive and Professional persisting to bachelor’s programs.
Improve Education programs and management systems by increasing institutional research capabilities.
Improve online content and course offerings.

Eagles SOAR Department Contacts

Eagles SOAR I Department