Fayetteville State receives $1 million boost to help students with learning challenges
FAYETTEVILLE (WTVD) -- Devin Young, 20, went to a campus counselor last year to describe his classroom struggles.
"I was telling her about my problems at school, mainly with reading," Young said. "I realize how it's something I can't escape."
That counselor suggested the Fayetteville State University student be tested for ADD. Young's sister had joked over the years about him having symptoms, but suddenly it dawned on him that he could be struggling with it. Over fall break, he travelled home to Washington, D.C. and saw a psychiatrist.
He was diagnosed, and thanks to a new university program, he's getting the help he needs to succeed academically.
Young is one of four FSU students in a pilot program, called Bronco Star. Part of a larger national initiative, the Supporting Transition, Access and Retention program provides learning resources, tutoring and mentors for students facing learning challenges. These are students who have "slipped through the cracks of the education system, even though they are capable of college success," a FSU release read.
For Young, that means having regular mentor feedback and learning with audio textbooks purchased through the program.
"It's provided everything I need, and it's built my confidence and own success," said Young, an accounting major. "It gave me a better understanding of myself."
On Thursday, the Bronco Star program received a $1 million grant from the North Carolina GlaxoSmithKline Foundation, Inc. Over the next three years, the money will ensure more students have the opportunity for tailored assistance in completing their degrees.
Fayetteville State is the first Historically Black College or University to take part in the College Star program. Its campus program launched last fall. Three other UNC system schools take part in the program, including East Carolina University, Appalachian State University, and UNC-Greensboro.
Dr. D. Jason DeSousa, the FSU program director, said the program will reach a wide spectrum of traditional, and non-traditional students. It will be especially helpful to African-American males, who statistically do not seek help for learning challenges.
"This is designed to make that stigma go away that if you have ADD, something's terribly wrong with you," said DeSousa. "Or if you have dyslexia, something's terribly wrong with you. There's nothing wrong with you."
Berwyn Bennett, a 21-year junior from Albemarle, N.C., credits DeSousa and FSU faculty member Willie Shaw for encouraging him as program mentors. DeSousa will occasionally sit in class with Bennett, who uses a new pen to record lectures, process information better.
"He's been telling me to strive for greatness," said Bennett.
DeSousa said the goal is to identify and attract 40 students to the Bronco Star program by next year, and to see those students graduate.
"Bronco Star has a mantra, 'Here you belong,'" said DeSousa. "I think Fayetteville State University's retention rates are going to go through the roof and up into orbit."
The sky's the limit, as far as Young is concerned.
"It just feels like there's nothing that can stop me anymore," said Young.
To find out more about the GlaxoSmithKline Foundation, visit NCGSKFoundation.org.
For more information, call (910) 672-1474.
