Student Success Center

PennWest's Success Centers are dedicated to helping you thrive academically and personally. Whether you're just starting out or nearing graduation, our professional and graduate assistant Success Coaches are here to support you. They'll connect you with campus resources and assist in areas like:

• Goal setting and motivation
• Time management
• Note-taking and study techniques
• Test-taking strategies
• Stress management
• Course scheduling and registration
• Effective communication with professors
• Understanding academic policies and procedures
• Navigating university communications

Office Hours and Locations:

Open Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–4 p.m. Appointments can be scheduled via Starfish, and walk-ins are welcome. 

Designed for first-year students needing extra support, the Compass Program includes:

• Peer Mentoring: Upper-level students guide you through university life.
• First-Year Seminar (FYS 1000): Develop core academic skills and engage with peers.
• Regular Outreach: Receive information about tutoring, success coaching, and the Writing Center.

View the Academic Standing Policy

At the end of each semester, PennWest University reviews students' academic standing based on both cumulative (overall) and term (semester) GPA. To remain in good academic standing, students must maintain a cumulative and term GPA of 2.0 or higher.

Academic Standing Categories:

• Academic Warning: Students with a term GPA below 2.0 but a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher are placed on Academic Warning. These students receive outreach and support from the Student Success Center, including access to success coaching.
• Academic Probation: Students with a cumulative GPA below 2.0 are placed on Academic Probation and must work with the Student Success Center (or TRIO faculty, if eligible). They are required to meet weekly with an assigned staff member to develop and follow a personalized plan for academic improvement.
• Academic Suspension: If a student on Academic Probation earns a term GPA below 2.0, they will be academically suspended. Suspended students may appeal their status using the form provided in their official academic standing letter.
• Appeal Deadlines: The appeal deadline is June 10 for the fall semester and January 2 for the spring semester. Appeals are reviewed by a committee, but approval is not guaranteed. Students who do not appeal or whose appeal is denied must take at least one semester off.
• Academic Dismissal: Students who receive a third academic suspension are academically dismissed from the university. They may appeal their dismissal by contacting the Student Success Center at studentsuccess@pennwest.edu. Students who do not appeal—or whose appeal is denied—must take four consecutive fall and spring semesters off before reapplying.

Important Note:

Academic Suspension is separate from a student’s financial aid status. For information on Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and financial aid appeals, please contact the financialaid@pennwest.edu.

For questions or support, reach out to the Student Success Center at studentsuccess@pennwest.edu.

The Starfish student success platform helps students connect with academic advisers, instructors, and student success services to enhance their educational journey. Access Starfish by logging into myPennWest.

Featured Tools:

• Ask for Academic Help
• Complete Student Surveys
• Make an Appointment with your Instructor or Advisor
• Find Tutoring, Writing Support, and Supplment Instruction
• View your Success Network

Other Resources

Starfish Overview (pdf needed)

How to Raise Your Hand

Starfish FAQs

Starting at PennWest University is exciting but can be overwhelming. The Peer Mentoring Program pairs you with experienced students to guide you through your first year.

Benefits of Joining:

• Insider Tips: Mentors provide advice on classes, campus life, and more.
• Campus Navigation: Get help finding your way around.
• Academic Support: Stay informed about major requirements and deadlines.
• Time Management: Learn to balance coursework and social life.
• Continuous Support: Mentors are available throughout your first year.

Getting Started:

1. Sign Up: Email mentoring@pennwest.edu to request a mentor.
2. Connect: Your mentor will reach out via your preferred method.
3. Prepare: Consider topics or questions to discuss.

Future Opportunity:

After your first year, you can become a peer mentor, enhancing your leadership skills and enriching your resume.

Contact Information:

103 Noss Hall
250 University Ave.
California, PA 15419

Phone: 724-938-1682
Email: mentoring@pennwest.edu

Engage with the Peer Mentoring Program to ensure a supportive and successful start at PennWest University.

Supplemental Instruction/Title III Grant Support (SI) at Pennsylvania Western University is an internationally recognized academic support program designed to assist students in mastering challenging courses. By offering additional exposure to course material in a collaborative group setting, SI aims to enhance understanding and promote effective learning strategies.

Program Highlights:

• Accessibility: SI sessions are available throughout the academic year without the need for appointments. Students can attend sessions or consult with their SI leaders during class times.
• Skill Development: The program focuses on helping students develop critical thinking and study strategies, fostering independent learning and adaptability to various learning styles.

Benefits for Students:

• Exposure to effective study techniques.
• Opportunities to connect with peers.
• Preparation for future academic success.
• Encouragement to become self-reliant thinkers.

Benefits for SI Leaders:

• Collaboration with faculty members.
• Enhancement of critical thinking and leadership skills.
• Improved academic performance.
• Development of transferable life skills.

Become an SI Leader

Benefits for Faculty:

•  Increased student engagement during classes.
•  Improved communication between students and faculty.
•  Maintenance of high academic standards.
•  Positive impacts on course grades and retention rates.

Contact Information:

SI Supervisor: Tyton Brunner
Phone: 724-938-1599
Email: brunner@pennwest.edu

View SI Schedule

To prepare for your first semester, most new students need to take a survey to self-place into a first-year writing (English) course. Most students also need to take a mathematics placement. These placements need to be completed before Student Success can develop your first semester schedule.

If you believe that you have prior learning credit for Math or English, including Advanced Placement or transfer credits, that may meet certain course requirements, please submit your official college transcripts/scores to determine how your credits will transfer to admissions@pennwest.edu.

Students may also see how credits will transfer by using our self-service tool.

In the meantime, we suggest that you still take the English placement and that you also take the Mathematics placement if required for your program.

Please click below for information about each of these placements.

English Placement Info    Math Placement Info

We offer specialized academic tutoring in a welcoming and supportive environment, helping students build confidence and become independent learners. Our peer tutors are high-achieving students, endorsed by faculty in their respective disciplines, ready to guide you toward success.

Schedule a Tutoring Session

Appointments are strongly encouraged, but walk-ins are always welcome!

To book an appointment:

• Log in to Starfish
• Click the three-bar menu and select “Courses”
• Look for the Peer Tutoring service card within any course that offers tutoring

If a peer tutor isn’t available on your campus, you can schedule a Zoom session with a tutor from another PennWest campus by emailing tutoring@pennwest.edu.

Tutoring Locations:

For tutoring in Math, CMIS, BEES, Physics, and Chemistry, check Starfish for location details.

24/7 Online Tutoring with Tutor.com

Need help anytime, anywhere? Tutor.com offers on-demand tutoring in over 250 subjects, available 24/7. Access it through:

• Starfish (under “Courses”)
• D2L Brightspace (under “Resources” in every course shell)

Contact Us

Lynne Fleisher, M.Ed
Director of Tutoring Services, SI and Testing
lfleisher@pennwest.edu

Tutoring Office
tutoring@pennwest.edu
814-393-2778

Your first schedule sets the foundation for your college journey. At PennWest, we ensure you get the best start by aligning your courses with your major and essential general education requirements. Your first schedule follows a prototype designed by your academic department and is customized by an Academic Coordinator familiar with your major.

Learn More