Student Access and Retention Center

The Student Access and Retention Center (SARC), formerly known as the Undergraduate Student Success Center (USSC) provides academic advising and student support services. SARC's services are accessible to all students but are notably geared toward assisting first-year students.

After 30 credit hours, students transition to faculty advising through the department of their chosen major, providing them with the resources necessary to progress on their academic journey.

SARC's organizational units are designed to assist students in developing positive relationships with faculty, staff, and other students, which will fosters a strong academic and co-curricular foundation at CSU and provides programs for students to acquire the skills, habits, and attitudes necessary to obtain academic success.

The Student Access and Retention Center contains four units: Academic Advising, Academic Support and Instructional Services, First-Year Experience and Retention and Academic Success.

LaKeisha Jenkins Washington
Executive Director, Student Access and Retention Center
Email: ljenkinswashington@centralstate.edu
Phone: 937-376-6049

Connect with an SARC team member TODAY!

LaKeysha Smith
Director, Student Success
Email: lsmith1@centralstate.edu
Phone: 937-376-6354

Robert J. Vidal
Program Manager 
Email: rvidal@centralstate.edu 
Phone: 937-376-6419

Academic Advisors

Ray Moon
Student Success Coach
Majors: John W. Garland College of Engineering, Science, Technology, and Agriculture (A-K)
Email: rmoon@centralstate.edu
Phone: 937-376-6356

LaShawn Shepherd
Student Success Coach
Majors: John W. Garland College of Engineering, Science, Technology, and Agriculture (L-Z)
Email: lshepherd@centralstate.edu
Phone: 937-376-6184

Joi'e White
Student Success Coach
Majors: College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences, Social and Behavioral Sciences
Email: jwhite51@centralstate.edu
Phone: 937-376-6416

Carlos Rodgers
Student Success Coach
Majors: College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences 
Email: crodgers@centralstate.edu
Phone: 937-376-6026

My’Kell Howard
Student Success Coach
Majors: College of Business, Accounting and Business Administration (A-K)
Email: mhoward@centralstate.edu
Phone: 937-376-6158

Fougere Jacquelin
Student Success Coach
Majors: College of Business, Accounting and Business Administration (L-Z)
Email: fjacquelin@centralstate.edu
Phone: 937-376-6657

Tara McCormick
Student Success Coach/Retention Analyst
Majors: Undeclared and College of Education
Email: tmccormick@centralstate.edu
Phone: 937-376-6178

Office of Academic Support and Instructional Services

Terron Dames
OASIS Coordinator
Email: tdames@centralstate.edu
Phone: 937-376-6247

Dawn MD Mumford
Mathematics Specialist
Email: dmumford@centralstate.edu
Phone: 937-376-6389

Conrad Zagory
Writing Specialist
Email: czagory@centralstate.edu
Phone: 937-376-6303

Kandice Lamar
Reading Specialist
Email:  klamar1@centralstate.edu
Phone:  937-376-6436

Knowledgeable and caring advisors guide and assist all students with fewer than 30 credit hours to navigate degree requirements, focus on academic achievement, develop transferable skills, and create a strong foundation to successfully transition to sophomore status.

Academic advising starts with the student! Although advisors provide assistance in making educational, career, and personal decisions, the primary responsibility for registering for the correct classes and completing a degree and University requirements remain with the individual student. 

SARC Academic Advising provides guidance and assistance to all freshmen through a collaborative educational process. Students and their academic advisors work as partners toward meeting essential learning outcomes and creating a strong foundation for students to successfully transition to sophomore status.

LaKeysha Smith
Director, Student Support and Academic Advising
Email: lsmith1@centralstate.edu
Phone: 937-376-6354

First-Year Experience and Student Success provides retention-focused programming for first year and transfer students. The unit is staffed by a coordinator who oversees all aspects of students' first year and the Marauder Achievement Program at Central State University.

The coordinator supervises Marauder Achievement program advisors and monitors all sections of the USS 1000 courses and USS 1200 courses. In addition, Marauder Achievement advisors provide intensive support to students on academic probation and oversee all aspects of the Marauder Achievement program. Furthermore, these staff members facilitate social- and academic-focused programming while creating a student-centered learning environment in the USS 1200 course.

Kalesha Scott                
Retention Coordinator
Email: kscott19@centralstate.edu
Phone: 937-376-6085

The Office of Retention and Academic Success is instrumental in the development, implementation, and analysis of varied retention strategies for students’ success. It integrates varied resources and collaborates with Student Affairs and Enrollment Management to ensure students have a solid educational foundation coupled with a rich collegiate experience.

LaKeisha Jenkins Washington
Executive Director, Student Access and Retention Center
Email: ljenkinswashington@centralstate.edu
Phone: 937-376-6049