SOAR Program Details

You may be eligible for the SOAR scholarship and join SOAR if you...

• Are over age 25 or a parent or veteran
• Are enrolling in your first semester at UM-Dearborn
• Have at least 24 transferable credits and a minimum 2.5 recalculated GPA
• Are Pell Grant eligible with no loans in default
• Are pursuing your first bachelor’s degree

• Complete the Request for Information Form
• Upon receipt of your request, SOAR staff will reach out to you.                               
• Complete the UM-Dearborn Application for Admission Form
• Complete the FAFSA Form                                                                   
• Meet (virtually or in-person) with SOAR staff for next steps

• Laptop loan program
• Textbook assistance
• LIBS 191: Returning Adult Academic Renewal course
• SOAR Student Center
• Peer-to-Peer Mentoring
• Academic support
• Personal support
• Community building
• Scholarship assistance

SOAR Learning Outcomes

• Learn to successfully navigate university systems
• Identify and utilize university  and community resources to enhance the academic experience
• Improve reading, writing, note-taking, and exam preparation strategies
• Become adept at using technology to access and communicate information
• Enhance communication skills to foster productive relationships with faculty and peers
• Acquire relevant leadership skills
• Seek out peer, faculty, staff, and community mentors to build a community of support
• Set realistic goals for academic progression toward degree completion
• Develop a post-graduation career and/or additional education plan

Lila Amen
District Community Liaison
Dearborn Public Schools

Hoda Amine, Ph.D., LMSW, CSW
Director of Dearborn Counseling Services

Francine Banner, Ph.D.
Professor, Sociology
University of Michigan-Dearborn

Kerri Barnett-Novak
Student Services Administrator
Wayne County Community College District

Suzanne Bergeron, Ph.D. 
Helen M. Graves Collegiate Professor of Women's Studies and Social Sciences
University of Michigan-Dearborn

Ivy Forsythe-Brown, Ph.D.
Associate Professor, Sociology
University of Michigan-Dearborn

Susan Gedert, B.A.
CASL Marketing and Digital Content Specialist
University of Michigan-Dearborn

Roma Heaney, M.A. (Chair)
University of Michigan-Dearborn

Ellen Judge-Gonzalez, M.A. (ex-officio)
Director, SOAR Program
University of Michigan-Dearborn

Pam McAuslan, Ph.D.
Professor, Psychology
University of Michigan-Dearborn

Judith Monroe, M.A.
AAUW-Dearborn

Dagmar Budikova Persaud, Ph.D. (ex-officio)
Dean, College of Arts Sciences & Letters
University of Michigan-Dearborn

Cheryl Powell, B.S.
Associate Director – Financial Aid
University of Michigan-Dearborn

Rebecca Richardson, B.A.
Program Assistant – SOAR Program
University of Michigan-Dearborn

Britta Roan, M.S.
Senior Career Counselor
Career Services
University of Michigan-Dearborn

Trisha Schlaff
University of Michigan-Dearborn

Esther Lee Wyatt, M.A. 
Professor
Wayne County Community College

Most new SOAR students take LIBS 191: Academic Renewal for Returning Adult Learners, an eight-week 1 credit course where they discover productive learning strategies, become better prepared to undertake university coursework, build a supportive network of peers, and get to know the campus and its resources. 

Here’s what a few students had to say in their final discussion board post when asked to share their three biggest takeaways from the class:

This class represents the epitome of what education should look like nation-wide. As returning adult learners we have strengths and deficiencies, and this class took an intersectional approach toward teaching students the necessary skills and offering the resources we need to succeed. It felt very much like I was working with my professor as a team with my success in focus. The materials taught focus on cross-cutting concepts and necessary professional skills that will benefit us as we continue our education at the University of Michigan-Dearborn in and outside of the classroom. This class offered a sense of community, support, and safety. It is especially inspiring to be taught by people who went through similar situations. This amplifies the feeling of hope within me because I know success is doable. Three major takeaways from this class I will take with me are that being an effective and organized writer is a valuable interdisciplinary skill, that my professors are committed to my success here at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, and that it’s okay to take a breather once in a while. I have acquired a wealth of knowledge in this class, and I am very motivated to work even harder as a student because of it.

-Raul Orozco, CASL, Sociology

This has been a very helpful and motivating class. I was worried when I took an extra class that I was not going to be able to do three classes because the last time I took three classes I was very stressed, had many assignments due close to one another, and got all B's in that semester. I learned in this class how to manage my time and have time for many other things to do during the day. The Google Calendar assignment helped me see the extra time I can use just for me. I also learned how to cite journals and other resources. My last takeaway is that it's never too late to finish your educational journey. It is important to stay focused and remember that you can do it. You can accomplish anything no matter what you are going through.

-Wafa Alsadi, CEHHS, Elementary Education

Being a mother of three children and a wife of a deployed Sergeant I find life very stressful at times. Having LIBS 191 has been a great asset to my transition from HFC to UM-Dearborn. The three biggest takeaways from this class would be 1. Learning how to write an annotated bibliography. It seemed very intimidating, and I was not up for the challenge although I knew it had to be completed since it was an assignment. Luckily, Ellen was very thorough in her examples and made them easy to understand. I have an annotated bibliography due in another class and I know I will do well because I have the skills necessary to move forward in confidence. 2. Great study habits. Learning that there is more than one way to study really amazed me. I was sure people had their own methods but learning that there are several ways to study and prepare for tests really allowed me the chance to use those and see which technique worked best aside from my usual writing and reciting strategy. 3. This final takeaway is the biggest and it is balancing my schedule. Although I communicate daily with co-workers and clients, I find myself not talking as much to my family to assist with tasks at home. I have to relinquish some duties and allow time for myself. When we created our schedules and I saw everything I do on a daily basis, I was overwhelmed looking at it. Finding a healthy balance between class, work, self, and hubby ( once he returns home from deployment) is a must.

-Mariesha Harrington, CASL

Initially I thought that taking LIBS 191 would add more to my stress. The fact that I must handle five courses along with other responsibilities and two kids was very stressful. Once the course started, I realized that the course is designed to help us as adult learners and provide us with all the resources that we will need during our school journey. All the assignments that we have done in this course helped me manage and succeed in other courses.

-Leena Obeid, CEHHS, Language Arts with Elementary Teaching Certification

The first take away from this semester is that time management is vital when attending a university. This includes self-discipline and mastery in order to remain on task. Without these skills it is very easy to get disorganized and to procrastinate. The second take away is that note taking is essential to doing well. It also helps you to retain information. Without some type of note taking system or structure it is very easy to forget things or focus on the wrong topics. The third take away is that everyone learns differently and at different rates. This is why we have numerous resources to help even if the standard methods don’t always work. These additional resources help us to learn in other ways.

-Michael Ross, CASL, Behavioral and Biological Sciences