Student Services

The faculty and staff at Dutchess regard student services as an integral part of the total college experience. A conscientious effort is made to know students as individuals and to serve them as such. The Office of Enrollment and Student Success includes the following offices: Admissions, Registrar, Student Advocacy and Accountability, The Academic, Career and Transfer (ACT) Center, EOP, TRiO, SUNY ASAP, Veteran Services, Accommodative Services, Counseling Services, Health Services, Student Activities, Academic Housing and Athletics. They are coordinated and directed by the Vice President of Enrollment and Student Success.

Orientation for New Students

To acquaint new full-time and part-time students with the college’s educational philosophy and standards, the College expects them to participate in an orientation program prior to their first semester at Dutchess. Orientation each semester consists of a comprehensive program for full- and part-time students. A club fair is held early in the semester to encourage involvement in extracurricular activities.

The goals of orientation are:

• To acquaint new students with the College, its academic programs, facilities, resources, services, activities, policies and organizations.
• To assist them in taking full advantage of the opportunities offered by the College.
• To provide students with important information about issues and problems frequently encountered by college students as well as the resources and approaches for effective decision making.

Academic, Career and Transfer (ACT)

The ACT Center provides holistic advisement for students including academic, career and transfer planning. As students progress in their studies at Dutchess, ACT coaches are available to help students develop their future goals and assist them with a plan of action to meet those goals, whether they are preparation for transferring to a four-year institution or preparation for immediate employment. All students may utilize the services of the ACT Center.

Academic Advisement

ACT coaches meet with new students to assist in choosing a major, scheduling classes, and designing a plan to fulfill their desired program. ACT coaches work with continuing students to help them meet the requirements to advance in their program and achieve their goals. Students are urged to take the initiative in meeting early and regularly with their coach and to take full advantage of the advisement services that are available. While the ACT coach guides students on their path to fulfilling their program, it is ultimately the student’s responsibility to make certain that graduation requirements are met.

Career Coaching

The ACT Center provides career coaching to all students at any stage in their academic journey, as well as to community members not currently enrolled at Dutchess Community College. Students and community members are provided an opportunity to explore their career options through self assessments and coaching sessions. It is also encouraged and promoted to apply for internships and volunteer opportunities for further career exploration. The academic coaches provide guidance with choosing a major and ensuring it aligns with a student’s career goals. Coaches also provide assistance with job searches, writing cover letters and resumes, and honing job hunting and interviewing skills. Career coaching sessions are tailored to the student’s individual needs and questions.

Transfer to Four-Year Colleges and Universities

Dutchess Community College graduates transfer to a variety of colleges and universities across the country, both public and private. It is recommended that students planning to transfer matriculate in an Associate in Arts (A.A) or an Associate in Science (A.S) degree program. These programs are designed as university-parallel programs and offer the student the greatest opportunity to transfer with junior status, with the expectation of completing a baccalaureate degree within an additional two years of full-time study.

The College has a number of articulation or transfer agreements, which facilitate the transfer of graduates to four-year institutions. In addition, an opportunity to continue full-time study at a four-year state university of college is guaranteed to all New York State residents who transfer directly from a SUNY two-year college with an A.A. or A.S degree and who meet the SUNY application requirements. It should be noted, however, that this policy does not guarantee a student admission to the campus or program of their choice. The SUNY application fee is waived for graduates with an A.A. or A.S. degree for up to seven SUNY schools.

Students planning to seek immediate employment upon graduation usually matriculate in an Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S) degree program. Many A.A.S. graduates, however, transfer to senior institutions. Dutchess Community College has transfer agreements with some senior institutions that facilitate the transfer of students from career programs. In general, however, graduates of career programs should anticipate needing more than two full years of full-time study to complete a baccalaureate degree. Students considering transfer are encouraged to attend a Transfer 101 Workshop and consult with a coach in the ACT Center (Student Services Center, Room 301 (845) 431-8600. Students are encouraged to attend transfer fairs and transfer events held throughout the year.

DCC graduates have transferred to all SUNY colleges and universities, as well as to other fine institutions such as Bard College, Columbia University, Cornell University, Fordham University, Marist University, Mercy University, Mount Saint Mary College, New York University, Pace University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Vassar College, Yale University, Tulane University, Smith College, Western Connecticut State University and many others.

Educational Opportunity Program

The Educational Opportunity Program (EOP) was established in 1968 by New York state to assist students who show promise of academic success at the college level but may have encountered both academic and financial disadvantages. EOP is designed to provide eligible students with the academic and financial means necessary to ensure success at the college level. To aid its students EOP provides tutoring, academic advisement, career planning, personal counseling, seminars and workshops throughout the year and financial support. Interested and eligible students should inquire as early as possible; program enrollment is limited. For more information contact the Educational Opportunity Program office at (845) 431-8037.

ASAP

The ASAP (Advancing Success in Associate Pathways) program is committed to helping DCC students complete their associate degree on time. ASAP provides comprehensive, wraparound support designed to remove common barriers and empower students to stay on track and thrive.

ASAP offers eligible students (Pell or state aid recipients) a wide range of resources, including financial support, comprehensive personalized advisement, academic support and career development to prepare students for future career success. ASAP serves 150 students annually and is located in Hudson 400.

TRiO

TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) is a federally funded Student Support Services program, sponsored by the U.S Department of Education. TRiO provides comprehensive academic and personal guidance to program students. TRiO staff works with students to assist them with overcoming obstacles in higher education, such as: limited income, first generation college status, academic need, and/or learning differences. TRiO SSS provides a support network, leadership and mentoring opportunities, career exploration and transfer options. The TRiO staff encourages students to pursue their education regardless of socioeconomic, cultural or ethnic backgrounds. The office number is (845) 431-8509.

DCC Counseling and Student Health Office

Supporting Student Well-being

The Counseling and Student Health Office are committed to fostering the overall health and wellness of our students through a safe, inclusive, and affirming environment provided through integrated services. Our services are provided at no cost to enrolled students.

Student Health Office
Orcutt Student Services Center, 110
Phone: (845) 431-8075
Email: healthoffice@sunydutchess.edu
Fax: (888) 972-1736
Open weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

DCC Counseling Center
Orcutt Student Services Center, 303
Phone: (845) 431-8040
Email: counselingcenter@sunydutchess.edu
Open weekdays from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Veterans Resource Center

Located in Hudson Hall, Room 212, the Veterans Resource Center is a comprehensive program at Dutchess Community College that provides services to active military service, veterans, spouses and dependent children (students) receiving VA Educational benefits that was established in Fall 2015. The VRC includes an administrative office for the Coordinator and lounge for students to study, meet, socialize and congregate for programming based on the wellness wheel model. For more information, call (845) 431-8339.