The Heckman Center: Building Student Success

From day one, all first-year students are paired with an academic advisor to help them build their first semester around a learning community with three classes and a group of 20 students. Upper-class students serve as peer mentors, and classes are taught by excellent faculty, including the president and provost.

The Academic Advising Center reaches out to students to ensure a smooth transition to college and sets them on a path to graduate on time. Students benefit from strong faculty-student collaboration in which they receive guidance on majors, minors, and general core courses. Students can take advantage of the Tutoring and Learning Center, open six days a week, for writing, math, science, and more.

Student Support Services is a grant funded program on campus that is funded through the federal TRIO programs. The program is designed to identify and provide services to a selective group of college students who meet eligibility criteria. The overall goal is to provide opportunities for academic development, assist students with basic college requirements, and to motivate students toward the successful completion of their postsecondary education.

Career Development helps students find internships and navigate the job search process. Students are advised about careers that align with their interests and talents, receive information about careers of the future, and learn the short- and long-term salary expectations in their chosen field. Other benefits of working with Career Development include resume preparation, interview practice, and workshops; alumni networking (job shadowing); career showcasing; and major fairs.

Internships are vital in preparing students with real-world experience for early career success. UB students often excel in their internships and may be hired by the organizations where they intern. Many UB alumni offer internships, job shadowing opportunities, and jobs to our talented students.

Students may apply to join the Honors Program as early as their first semester or after their first semester (based on GPA), where they will have a dedicated lounge space, interdisciplinary course offerings, early course registration, and extracurricular activities.

Volunteerism is an important part of a college experience, and UB students take part in a service day and a service fair during Welcome Week. Students may volunteer locally, during alternative spring breaks, or through faculty-led trips that focus on volunteerism.

The University of Bridgeport is the first university on the East Coast to offer an Equality Lounge, a student-run popup where women connect, collaborate, and activate change—preparing women with confidence to advance in the workforce through programming, mentoring, and community.

Student leadership opportunities abound at UB with 60+ clubs and organizations, internships, classroom experiences, and more. The Heckman Center helps students become the lead in their own unique stories.