Student Support Services

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Student Engagement and Career Development:

Athletics and Intramural Sports

Telephone: (203) 285-2213

Gateway Community College is a member of the National Junior College Athletic Association, Region XXI (NJCAA), and abides by its eligibility rules and code of ethics. Inter-collegiate team sports include men’s and women’s basketball. All intercollegiate student athletes must maintain a minimum of a 2.0 grade point average and carry at least twelve (12) credits per semester as well as abide by all policies stated in the Student Athlete Guidelines. Contact the Director of Athletics by calling (203) 285-2213.

Career Services

Telephone: (203) 285-2144

The mission: Career Services exists to educate and empower students and alumni throughout their lifelong career development journey. We provide personalized and innovative services, resources and technology that ultimately prepares students to make optimal use of their knowledge, skills and abilities in order to compete globally for the career they deserve. 

We offer individual instruction and consultation on a variety of topics including: career planning, job search strategies, resume writing, interviewing and workplace success. Career Services staff provide classroom instruction along with a variety of workshops and seminars throughout the year. Whether you are an experienced professional or new graduate entering the workforce for the first time, Career Services can assist you in reaching your career goals. 

The online job board: MyGateway Job Search http://gcc-csm.symplicity.com/.

Career Counseling

Career counseling is available to prospective or current students, including those in the General Studies curriculum, who have not decided on a college program or career direction. Career counseling helps students to identify career possibilities and move toward a decision.

Interest Testing

A student may take, free of charge, written interest inventories and other career tests. The results usually help to identify specific career areas of interest for the student to explore.

Occupational Information

Career Services maintains information on career fields to help students develop their career plans. Information on occupations, colleges across the country, and sources of financial aid can be obtained from the Choices computer system.

Employment Services

An online service, MyGateway Job Search csm, is available on the Career Services page of the College website. This service enables students and graduates to seek employment by searching for job listings and registering their resumes. Job postings also are maintained in notebooks in both Career Services offices. Employers can list full-time, part-time, seasonal job openings, and volunteer opportunities with the Career Services office, visit the College individually, and attend Job Fairs.

Job Search Skills

Career Services offers personal assistance and group workshops related to job search skills including resume writing, interviewing, networking, and job-seeking strategies. A series of over 75 JobShop handouts is available. Students may use computers in the Career Services offices on both campuses to write resumes and letters.

Gender Equity Center

Telephone: (203) 285-2412

The Gender Equity Centers offers a safe and welcoming space that indorses a non judgmental and supportive atmosphere. The Gender Equity Center Coordinator is available to talk one on one with students seeking support, assistance, and victim centered counseling for a range of personal issues. We offer support services and referrals related to gender based violence, survivors of sexual violence, intimate partner violence, stalking, acts of bias based on sexual orientation, women’s health, sexual orientation and identity.

Student Activities

Telephone: (203) 285-2208

As the center of student activity, the Office of Student Activities and Leadership Programs is an integral part of the educational mission of Gateway Community College. By offering a variety of programs and services that meet the needs of the Gateway Community, we create an environment for individuals to interact and learn from one another. We provide opportunities for student, faculty, and staff involvement in campus life and community service.

The Office of Student Activities and Leadership Programs, a student-centered organization, values participatory decision making, self-directed activity, and the open exchange of ideas. Through service to the campus community in student governance and leadership, we foster interactive and developmental experiences in leadership and social responsibility. Furthermore, we enhance the academic experience through an extensive array of cultural, educational, recreational, social, and leadership programs. Student activity fees fund the student activities program within the framework of a yearly budget approved by the Student Government Association.

Student Government Association

Gateway Community College has a Student Government Association (SGA) whose members are elected annually by the student body. The SGA serves to promote good citizenship and harmonious relationships throughout the college and the community. It serves to provide a forum for student representation and to provide orderly direction of college activities. The Student Government Association is responsible for the allocation and distribution of the Student Activity Fund. Any student who meets the necessary academic requirements and pays the student activity fee is eligible for election to the Student Government Association. For more information about the Student Government Association, contact (203) 285-2242 or e-mail gw- sga@gwcc.commnet.edu.

The Campus Activities Board

The Campus Activities Board (CAB) is a sub-committee of the Student Government Association. CAB’s purpose is to successfully coordinate, implement, and execute a comprehensive calendar of social, recreational, educational, film, performing arts, service, philanthropic, concert, and cultural events for activity fee paying students at Gateway Community College. For further information call (203) 285-2249 or e-mail the CAB Chair at gw-cab@gwcc.commnet.edu.

Student Organizations

The Student Government Association recognizes numerous student organizations that are formed by special interest groups and advised by a member of the College staff. New student organizations may be formally recognized by the Student Government Association throughout the year. Some of the clubs and organizations that have been formally recognized by the Student Government Association are: Art Club, Armed Forces and Veteran’s Club, Black Student Association, Christian Fellowship Club, Computer and Gaming Club, Early Childhood Association, Engineering Club, Financial & Economics Club, Gay Straight Alliance, Gospel Choir, International Student Association, Organization of Latin American Students (OLAS), Meditation Club, Muslim Student Association, Poetry and Music Club, Recreation Club, Science Club, Student Nursing Association, Theater Goers Club and Turkish Student Association.

Honor Societies

Gateway Community College has an active chapter of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Phi Theta Kappa is the honor society of two-year colleges. Students are invited to join the Alpha Xi Theta Chapter as full members if they have completed at least 12 associate degree credits at Gateway and have a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.5.  Qualified students are inducted into the Honor Society during the Phi Theta Kappa Induction Ceremony held each fall and spring. Alpha Xi Theta also accepts provisional members with less than 12 associate degree credits at Gateway or students with 12 associate degree credits at Gateway and have a GPA of at least 3.3.

Student Development

Telephone (203) 285-2033

Student Development supports the education and preparation of students for full participation in civic, cultural, and professional life. Our department strives to create, direct and sustain programs that support the broad educational and developmental needs of our diverse college community to achieve success.

Veterans’ Affairs

Telephone (203) 285-2146

Veterans Administration Benefits

Veterans, members of the Reserves and dependents of veterans who believe that they are eligible for educational benefits from the Veterans Administration may obtain an application for benefits from the Director of Career Services, who is the Veterans Certifying Official for the college. Students who are receiving VA benefits must notify the Certifying Official of their course schedule each semester and of any changes in their course load. Courses must meet requirements of the degree or certificate in which the student is enrolled. 

Some non-credit programs are certified for VA benefits; veterans may ask the Certifying Official whether they can receive benefits while attending a specific non-credit program. 

To be eligible to receive educational benefits from the Veterans Administration, a student must maintain satisfactory academic progress, as defined by college policies. The Veterans Certifying Official at the college will not certify a student for VA educational benefits who has been suspended because of a failure to maintain satisfactory progress. Eligibility to receive benefits will be reinstated upon readmission.

Connecticut Tuition Waiver

Veterans who meet the requirements listed under “Tuition and Fee Waivers ”, including service on active duty for at least 90 days during the periods defined as war-time by state statute, are eligible for a waiver of tuition for general fund courses. The student must present a copy of DD Form 214 to the Payments Office to obtain the waiver. The waiver applies only to credit courses offered in the fall and spring semesters, and eligible veterans must pay all fees. 

Student Success Center:

Telephone: (203) 285-2090:

The Student Success Center provides comprehensive services in an environment conducive to learning by providing the support students need to reach their full potential. The Success Center includes the following departments, programs and services: Academic Advising, New Student Advising and Registration (NSAR) Program, Counseling, and Retention and Basic Needs Services.

Academic Advising:

Telephone: (203) 285-2090:

Academic advising, based in the teaching and learning mission of higher education, is a series of intentional interactions with a curriculum, a pedagogy, and a set of student learning outcomes. Academic advising synthesizes and contextualizes students’ educational experiences within the frameworks of their aspirations, abilities and lives to extend learning beyond campus boundaries and timeframes (NACADA, 2006). 

Academic Advising is a key component of your success at Gateway Community College. Seeking academic advising each semester will reduce the likelihood of improper course selection and delays in graduation. Students should seek advisement at the midpoint of each semester for the upcoming semester. When mid-term exams begin seek out advising. The advising session includes an interactive dialogue between advisor and advisee the covers a range of topics such as; educational goals, career goals, academic progress and school-work-family balance. At the conclusion of the session the advisor should recommend a set of courses based on this discussion and create or update your academic plan.

New Students

All new students first time freshman must attend a New Student Advising & Registration (NSAR) session. NSAR is Gateway’s program to assist new students in understanding the academic world, and to register for their first semester of courses at the college. Students attending the program will:

• Register for their first semester of courses
• Receive advising to begin their college career
• Understand the nature of college instruction
• Learn how to navigate student services and enrollment
• Learn the electronic self-service tools for advising and registration

Transfer and Re-Admit Students

Students should seek their first semester advising from the Counseling & Student Success Center in N213. To schedule an appointment contact (203) 285-2090. At the advising session students will; 

• Meet with a professional staff member to review previous credits taken at Gateway or other institutions (please be sure to bring unofficial transcripts from any other college besides Gateway to receive accurate advising); and,
• Receive academic advising to understand program requirements, develop an academic plan and select classes for the upcoming semester.

Continuing Students

Continuing students have different options for obtaining academic advising, however, the most common places to seek advising are; academic program coordinators, chairs and directors or generalist counselors/advisors. Students who have selected a program major should seek advising from the academic program coordinator or his/her designee. Students who are undecided or exploring several options should seek advising from a professional staff member in the Counseling and Student Success Center in Room N213. To schedule an appointment visit the continuing student advising homepage at: http://www.gatewayct.edu/continuingadvising

Counseling

Telephone: (203) 285-2090:

Professional Counselors are available to help students obtain the most from their college experience. GCC offers students comprehensive counseling services including: assistance with referrals to community resources, interventions for students in crisis, guidance on managing personal concerns that interfere with educational goals, vocational guidance, assistance with transfer to four-year institutions, and academic counseling. Counselors are available most hours the College is in session by appointment. The Counseling office provides information and activities about transferring and workshops to support academic achievement. To speak to a counselor, please contact us in room N213 or by calling (203) 285-2090.

Retention and Support Services:

Telephone: (203) 285-2090:

Succeeding in college requires that students address areas both inside and outside the classroom that may impact their learning. The Student Success Center offers the following comprehensive services to promote success Achievement Coaching, Basic Needs (Center for Students and Families) and Early and Academic Alert Counseling.

Achievement Coaching: Individual meetings and workshops assist students in managing college work through the identification of goals and the development of appropriate strategies. The following areas are commonly addressed through the coaching program; goal setting, learning styles, organization, note taking, time management, test taking strategies and test anxiety.

Basic Needs (Center for Student and Families): Students can access support for a variety of services aimed at addressing basic needs. The center provides the following services to students, Mobile Food Pantry, application for public benefits, heating assistance, community referrals and additional services as needed.

Early and Academic Alerts: Professional staff members respond to reports submitted by faculty specific to the student’s performance in particular course. Individual meetings and workshops allow the student to explore the areas of concern and establish a plan for success including referrals to programs and services both on and off-campus.

Student Accessibility Services

Telephone: (203) 285-2231

Student Disability Specialist:

Ronald Chomicz / email: rchomicz@gatewayct.edu
Samantha Kusiak / email: skusiak@gatewayct.edu

Gateway Community College is committed to ensuring that all qualified individuals with disabilities have the opportunity to participate in our educational and employment programs and services on an equal basis. College employment and admission policies prohibit discrimination against qualified persons with disabilities.

The Student Accessibility Services office (SAS) facilitates the planning and provision of services for students with disabilities. If a student has sensory, learning, physical, medical or a mental health disability, he/she may be eligible for disability services. Students requesting services are required to provide relevant medical, psycho-educational, or mental health documentation prior to receiving services.

Due to the individualized nature of planning for and providing academic adjustments, it is essential that each eligible student meet with the Disability Specialist to discuss his/her specific needs prior to receiving academic adjustments. A student is required to request academic adjustments through the SAS office for each semester that he/she plans on receiving academic adjustments.

If you are a student who requires the use of the elevator due to a documented disability (i.e. mobility), the SAS Office encourages you to identify yourself to our office even if you do not use any other academic adjustments. By registering with the SAS office we can better assist you in the event of an elevator malfunction.