EXCEL Program Overview
Participating in the EXCEL program gives you the personal attention and extra support to help you EXCEL in college! As an EXCEL Achiever, you would have the opportunity to participate in advising, career and personal counseling as needed. You can also take advantage of our cultural enrichment activities such as traveling to four-year colleges and universities to prepare for transfer, visiting art or musical events, museums, investigating natural settings, or partaking of local entertainment.
EXCEL students also receive intensive tutoring services as needed, including peer and professional tutoring. Our laptop loan program provides you the use of a laptop for up to one week to complete your college assignments. EXCEL has a scholarship program for winter and spring semesters for students demonstrating success. For first-year students, our peer mentors assist you with answers to your questions and help you with all those questions about how to navigate through your educational years.
Our mission is to increase retention, graduation, and transfer to four-year colleges and universities through support and encouragement.
Eligible students will complete their degree or transfer to a four-year university within three years and meet one of the following qualifiers:
- First generation college student (neither parent earned a bachelor degree)
- Low income, based on federal guidelines
- Have a documented disability
Interested in becoming an EXCEL student? Membership in EXCEL is accomplished by applying to the program, located in the Academic Support Office. If you’re interested, come see us! For more information, contact Vicki Maxa, Director of Student Support Services at 269 782-1312.
Already an EXCEL student?
Review the scholarship requirements and read our newsletters online to find out about upcoming activities and highlights about our students. Check out our calendar to get the latest dates for events, and browse our photo gallery which includes photos of our activities and our gallery of graduates.
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Student Support Services (EXCEL, SSS) at Southwestern Michigan College, a federally funded TRiO Program which provides $277,950 annually to the EXCEL program. Approximately, 90 percent of the funds are from federal sources and 10 percent from non-governmental sources.
An Equal Opportunity, affirmative action employer and educator.
EXCEL OPPORTUNITIES
As an EXCEL student you can take advantage of these services and exciting opportunities offered to EXCEL students.
Counseling
Academic, career, financial, personal, and transfer assistance in support of your educational and life goals.
Tutoring
Individual peer and professional tutoring to assist you with course completion.
Free Workshops and Seminars
Assistance with stress management concerns, test-taking skills, career exploration, time and money management, and workshops presented to assist with the financial aid process.
Cultural Enrichment and Field Trip Opportunities
Travel to four-year colleges, museums, nature centers; tickets to local entertainment; opportunities to participate in volunteer activities such as Habitat for Humanity, Relay for Life and much, much more!
EXCEL Scholarships
Awarded in the Winter and Spring semesters to EXCEL students who apply, who are making good academic progress and who meet eligibility requirements.
Laptop Loan Program
Borrow a laptop. Available for short term use to complete college assignments.
Career Exploration
EXCEL counselors provide individual career counseling and teach a Career Exploration class, SPS 103.
Peer Mentoring Program
A student 'Friend' to help you navigate through the channels of college life.