Academic Services moves students toward success

When students arrive in Due West, they bring with them a range of academic backgrounds and talents. Erskine’s Academic Services partners with students, equipping them for success in the classroom—and in life.

“I get to build relationships with students, staff, and faculty while problem-solving issues preventing students from being successful,” Director of Academic Services Beverly Keelin says of her role.

Academic Services features a six-pronged approach to academic support through its Supplemental Instruction (SI), Write Here Center, STEM RECON, Study Groups, Testing Center, and Academic Coaching and Counseling.

One of the many students who has benefited from Academic Services is senior Maggie Simmons, daughter of Erskine alumna Harriet McDonald Simmons ’92. Initially, Maggie came to Academic Services for assistance with biology. “I had a biology class freshman year in the fall of 2022. My biology isn’t that strong; the math and chemistry side of it are much stronger,” she says.

Maggie had a positive experience with Academic Services, and the next semester she became an SI leader for Bible classes taught by Professor of Old Testament Dr. George Schwab. Typically, Supplemental Instruction leaders like Maggie have taken the class and then can offer twice-a-week instruction, test preparation, and note-taking and academic study skill development.

Maggie maintains a busy schedule that includes majoring in chemistry and minoring in math, working in STEM RECON where she assists students with their science and math classes, and singing in the Erskine Choraleers. She maintains a strong GPA as she heads toward graduation this spring and possible enrollment in graduate school this fall.

Another student who has made great use of Academic Services is Trent Curry, a sophomore member of the Erskine football team from Eastover, South Carolina.

“It was a really hard adjustment for me coming out of high school,” Trent says.

Like Maggie, he was looking to hone his skills in biology and came to Academic Services for assistance. Trent, who is majoring in biology with a pre-vet focus, hopes to someday become a veterinarian.

Since Trent has connected with Academic Services, things have improved steadily for him. His academic sessions are usually in the Daniel•Moultrie Science Center, but he is glad to observe Keelin at work in her Watkins Student Center office.

“Sometimes I walk by her office, and I’ll see students in there. She is really a friendly face on campus, and I just know that she’s there for me and really everyone,” Trent says.

Along with his GPA improvement, Trent has developed an increased assurance in his academic abilities. He augments his studies by working at Battle Animal Care Clinic in Hopkins, South Carolina, to gain real-world experience during his semester breaks.

“My confidence as a student has gone up tremendously,” he says.

Trent and Maggie are just two examples of Erskine working with each of its students to build the academic and life competencies that they’ll use to lead and serve after graduation. Academic Services has been at the forefront of supporting that effort.

“I meet with students to see what barriers to success they’re facing and then build and maintain programs to assist them,” Keelin says. “I cannot be more thankful for the opportunity God has afforded me in bringing me to Erskine.”

Shown at top: Trent Curry (left) and Maggie Simmons (right, center)