Academic Success Center
Our vision is to support and encourage academic excellence in all cadets through faculty-led, personalized instruction that advances critical thinking, STEM and communication literacy and learning strategies. The Academic Success Center (ASC) inspires cadets to become life-long learners.
MISSION STATEMENT
To assist all cadets to become exceptional learners as they read, think, communicate and lead men and women in the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force.
CADET SUPPORT
The ASC offers programs and services designed to enhance academic success of every cadet at the Academy. Cadets can get help with time management, reading strategies, general learning skills, writing papers and delivering presentations. Formal courses, group seminars and individualized help sessions are offered to assist cadets to reach their academic, professional and personal goals.
SERVICES
Quantitative Reasoning Center (QRC)
The QRC provides supplemental instruction in select core quantitative disciplines in one-on-one and small group sessions to enhance student learning and motivation, especially for first and second-year students.
Communication Strategies Center (CSC)
The CSC intertwines the vital skills of reading, writing and speaking to improve cadets’ critical thinking, communication and analytical skills through three valuable resources: Writing Center, Public Speaking Lab and Communication Strategies 101 Program.
Strategies for Academic Success (SAS)
The SAS program prepares cadets for success in academic performance and life-long learning by teaching techniques to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of studying. The SAS program also helps English as a Second Language (ESL) cadets and international students navigate the daunting world of academic discourse in a foreign language by providing targeted coursework in English for Academic Purposes and Communication Strategies.
ACADEMIC SUCCESS CENTER HIGHLIGHTS
- From the “Rising Stars” working in the Learning Strategies Program to the “Super Stars” earning graduate scholarships, the ASC works with cadets from all 30 academic majors and 22 academic minors within the basic sciences, engineering, humanities and social sciences divisions.
- The ASC supports nearly 9,000 annual cadet appointments across the combined resources of the Quantitative Reasoning Center, Writing Center and Public Speaking Lab.
- The ASC annually enrolls over 500 cadets across elective courses in Communication Strategies, Learning Strategies, and English for Academic Purposes.
- In 2024, ASC faculty proudly witnessed 2Lt Madison Marsh, USAFA Class of 2023, earn the 2024 Miss America title. As a cadet, she proudly utilized numerous ASC services including the Public Speaking Lab to prepare for graduate school and pageantry interviews.
ACADEMIC SUCCESS CENTER FACULTY AND STAFF
- ASC educators have subject matter expertise and regularly teach courses in academic departments, facilitate small group workshops and provide extra instruction for individual cadets.
LOCATION
- The ASC is located on the first floor in the northwest corner of Fairchild Hall.
- The operating hours adapt to the cadet’s demanding academic, military and athletic schedules.
- The ASC is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m. and offers evening hours in the Quantitative Reasoning Center, Writing Center and Public Speaking Lab on Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m.–8:30 p.m.
CONTACT US
For more information about the Academic Success Center, please contact
Dr. Kerry McCaig
Director, Academic Success Center
kerry.mccaig@afacademy.af.edu