Program Overview
First-Year Experience
The Oliver Wilson Scholars (OWS) Program identifies, recruits and develops students with amazing potential that is translated into success. The OWS Program achieves this through direct access to resources and comprehensive and specialized services that ensure a smooth transition to higher education. The program is housed in the Office of Student Support and Belonging and is delivered through university-wide coordinated care. The overall goal is to strengthen academic achievement while providing holistic student development that leads to a greater sense of belonging.
OWS Philosophy
The Oliver Wilson Scholars program is based on a “coordinated care” approach that seeks to close any potential gaps for students. Through this program, students receive the benefit of highly coordinated faculty and staff support that is tracked through Navigate. Navigate is a comprehensive technology tool that allows student communication, connections and interventions to be noted, monitored and enhanced so as not to duplicate efforts and to enhance outcomes.
The program specifically responds to the literature on student success by explicitly demonstrating our belief in students, utilizing anti-deficit approaches (seeing students as arriving with tremendous gifts and talents), utilizing appreciative advising and trauma-informed practices and considering their whole person.
OWS First Year Experience
In your first year, you will engage in...
- Academic Skill Builder 1: Student Success Coaching
Students are required to meet with an assigned Success Coach who is knowledgeable in holistic academic advising and student development. - Academic Skill Builder 2: EDH 181- Navigating College Success
Students are co-enrolled into select general education courses- included a required course, EDH 181- Navigating College Success - Academic Skills Builder 3: Academic Achievement Skills Sessions
Students attend a variety of academic achievement skills sessions to assist them in achieving their academic goals. These sessions are dynamic and engaging learning spaces where students focus on topics related to time management, understanding and utilizing a course syllabus, test-taking, etc. - Academic Skill Builder 4: Weekly Gathering with Supplemental Instruction
Opportunity to connect with each other and the leads of the program. This will be a place for supplemental learning to enhance the learning that is already happening in the classroom and to continue intentional skill building.
Personal Development
In your first year, you will gain...
Networking:
Students will have a chance to develop relationships with their peers, alumni, faculty and staff during celebrations, social events and other university opportunities.
Student Employment:
Our program works closely with on-campus employers to secure jobs for our students. We provide professional development and support by helping with resumes, cover letters, and interviewing skills. This can also include helping students to obtain business and professional attire.
Extra Support:
Our program has connections with many different offices throughout campus to make sure that we can effectively serve our students and respond to their needs.
Dr. Oliver Wilson
The Oliver Wilson Scholars program is a learning community that is designed to provide comprehensive academic, professional and social support to students. This program, formerly known as the Freshman Academy program, was founded in 2003 by Dr. Oliver Wilson, a beloved Director of the Office of Multicultural Affairs who was truly dedicated to student success.
Wilson was named dean of the Office of Multicultural Affairs in 2003. Prior to that, he worked for Grand Valley's Admissions office and had served as its associate director of minority recruitment. He joined Grand Valley's staff in 1997.
Wilson left an indelible mark on Grand Valley's campus, and served on a number of committees dedicated to inclusion. He helped establish the Professionals of Color Lecture Series, bringing national speakers to campus to share their stories of career success or triumph over personal adversity; co-chaired the Team Against Bias and was instrumental in establishing the university's bias incident protocol; advised numerous student organizations; and served on the Intercultural Awareness Council, Diversity Assessment Committee, and others.
Wilson's efforts to collaborate with Grand Rapids organizations were recognized in 2006 when the Knights of Peter Claver Council presented OMA with its Racial Justice and Unity award. He was an active community member and served as a board member of Grand Rapids Dreams, Touchstone Innovare, Black Education Excellence Program, among others.
Wilson earned a doctorate in educational leadership from Western Michigan University, a master's degree in public administration and a bachelor's degree in business education, both from the University of Wyoming. While at the University of Wyoming, Wilson, a native of Chicago, played basketball for the Cowboys.
In 2009, after the loss of the founder, the program was renamed to honor his memory and vision for the program. We continue his legacy and vision by providing students in this program with access to advisers who can help with registering for classes, development of study skills, career exploration, and the transition to college.
Oliver Wilson's Other Impacts