Whether you’re enrolled in one or two classes or are embarking on a four-year degree program, we provide all students with access to counselors, tutors, health and wellness services, tech support, and the enrollment, success, and career coaches needed to achieve your definition of success. At PennWest, we support you every step of the way!
In addition to working with your faculty advisors, our enrollment, success, and career coaches can help you at different stages of your PennWest journey.
New Student Orientation (NSO) gets you off on the right foot. All first-year and transfer students are strongly encouraged to attend. Your $100 Advanced Tuition Deposit is required to sign up for NSO.
Can’t make it to a New Student Orientation session in person? We have a virtual orientation option available to you!
Global Online students: you are automatically enrolled for online orientation once you have submitted your $100 advanced tuition deposit and registered for courses.
Campus leadership teams have been formed to address your “I’m not sure who can help me” questions or concerns quickly to create the best learning environment possible for you. Each campus leadership team is made up of the academic dean based at your campus, the campus administrator, and the student affairs leader. This team concept was designed to quickly solve issues when you’re not sure who to ask for assistance. As a PennWest student, you will have access to academic support services, including:
Not sure where to start? Contact us at StudentHelp@pennwest.edu
The PennWest Career Center, which includes the Internship Center, is committed to giving every student a professional advantage. As a future student, you can talk with a career coach and access tools that help you choose a major or a career path. Once you are a student, you will be supported as you explore, prepare, and apply for the next step in your career journey.
The career center also works with employers and alumni to build strong professional networks to connect qualified students and alumni with employers and opportunities and to continue supporting professional goals throughout their careers.
PennWest is committed to providing an exceptional education to military service members, veterans, and their families. Whether you attend classes on campus or 100% online, you'll receive the career-boosting education you need and the flexibility and support you deserve.
Our military-friendly services include military and veteran priority registration, a comprehensive Military and Veterans Affairs Office, military tuition discounts and scholarship opportunities, and more.
The Student Support Services (SSS) program is one of the three original TRIO programs
authorized in 1968 by the Higher Education Act of 1965. The goal of SSS is to increase
the postsecondary persistence and graduation rate of income eligible and/or, first-generation
college students, or students with disabilities and to facilitate these students’
transition from one level of higher education to the next. Activities and services
offered by SSS include instruction in basic skills, peer support, academic advising,
financial aid and career counseling, graduate school counseling and mentoring.
TRIO SSS at California
Get in touch with professionals for support in health and wellness strategies. PennWest support is designed to enhance the academic experience by fostering good social and emotional self-care habits so you can attain your personal and academic goals.
Counseling and Wellness by Campus
The Office of Disability Support Services is available to any enrolled student having a documented disability. The office provides students with reasonable accommodations as documented through evaluations. Appropriate accommodations are individually based on identified needs. The coordinator meets with these students each semester to determine the effectiveness of the accommodation and to evaluate the need for any further services.
If you have a disability and would typically request accommodations in traditional classroom settings, there may also be the possibility of accommodations in an online class. Online courses often present new challenges to full accessibility that are best resolved by early review. All students requesting accommodations must be registered with the Office of Disability Support Services.
The Behavioral Intervention Team (BIT) provides assessment and early intermediation
to students exhibiting concerning behaviors, supports students with concerns and assists
faculty/staff. The team is dedicated to the student community’s wellness and safety
by providing an atmosphere where individuals are free to work and learn in a secure
and supportive environment. B.I.T. will continue the legacy of having a right to
safety and security and the responsibility of ensuring the safety and security of
others by taking reviewing a broader range of behaviors.
Reasons to Refer a Student to B.I.T.
Referrals can be made by anyone – students, family, friends, employees, or community
members. Referrals can be made at any time through the appropriate referral form:
This referral system accepts reports any time but is not monitored so responses are
not immediate. Immediate concerns should be reported to the police. Referrals should
be made whenever a student is exhibiting concerning behavior or appears to be in distress.
This can include:
Tutoring Services are available to PennWest students at all four campuses. We provide specialized academic tutoring in a safe environment to help students become confident and independent learners. Our peer tutors have reached academic success and are endorsed by the faculty in their specific disciplines.