Academic Success
Woodbury University is committed to working with students and helping them achieve their goals. As such, there are several programs available to assist students throughout their academic journeys. Students can find assistance through a variety of student success programs.
New Student Orientation (WUSO)
All incoming students are required to complete a new student orientation. All incoming students must undergo Woodbury University Student Orientation (WUSO). Both undergraduate and graduate students must complete a short online orientation course called "Owl Onboarding." Once this is completed, they will attend separate in-person events.
Orientation is an enriching opportunity that details program requirements and tools for success. Incoming students learn about the resources available to them while they are Woodbury students as they transition to (or back to) higher education.
Pathways to Student Success (PASS)
Pathways to Student Success (PASS) provides an integrated learning experience for undergraduate students during their first year at Woodbury by helping them build a supportive peer network and community. PASS seminar courses introduce students to the University, their courses of study, co-curricular opportunities, and the strategic principles that make the Woodbury University experience unique. These courses also provide students with the tools necessary to document and reflect upon their journeys.
As part of PASS, the First Year Experience (FYE) program builds community by linking critical reading courses and first-year composition courses to give students the experience of shared learning in an exciting student-centered, interdisciplinary environment, both inside and outside the classroom. PASS seminar courses and the First Year Experience are available to both freshmen and transfer students.
Woodbury Integrated Student Experience (WISE)
The Woodbury Integrated Student Experience (WISE) is made up of four components that provide opportunities for students to engage in high-impact educational practices inside and outside the classroom and earn up to two $1,000 tuition scholarships. These experiential learning opportunities allow students to gain meaningful knowledge and experience while helping with tuition costs. The four components are:
Ensuring students have the resources to understand their curricula and register for classes to promote timely graduation is of the utmost importance to Woodbury University. As such, faculty advisors are assigned to each student to help them navigate their course selections and schedules. Faculty advisors serve as mentors and guide students in their choice of internship opportunities in order to prepare them for their chosen professions.
Professional Advisor (Pilot Program)
As part of the Title V HSI Sustainability Programs Grant, we currently have an academic advisor that supports students in three new bachelor's degree programs: Sustainable Practices, Construction Management, and Environmental Science. The academic advisor has designed an advising program that assists students in mapping degree plans to achieve both educational and career goals. Funded by the Title V HSI grant, this support service provides specialized advising with a focus on supporting underrepresented students in STEM. For more information, please contact Gabriela Delgado at gabriela.delgado@woodbury.edu or 818.252.5189.
Financial Advisor (Pilot Program)
As part of the Title V HSI Sustainability Programs Grant, we currently have a financial advisor that supports students in three new bachelor's degree programs: Sustainable Practices, Construction Management, and Environmental Science. The financial advisor has designed the Financial Sustainability Program that provides students with a holistic and multifaceted approach to financial literacy, higher education financing, and other forms of financial knowledge that build personal financial responsibility. Funded by the Title V HSI grant, this support service provides specialized advising with a focus on supporting underrepresented students in STEM. For more information, please contact Esteban Blas at Esteban.Blas1@woodbury.edu or 818.252.5218.
The Writing Center (TWC) offers free peer tutoring services at all stages of the writing process, including brainstorming, developing and refining thesis statements, synthesizing sources, using correct documentation formats, editing, and proofreading. Student tutors help with conventional papers, multimodal and digital projects, and presentations for classes as well as other professional writing documents, such as résumés and application letters. Students may work one-on-one with a TWC tutor in person or submit their projects online for remote tutoring sessions. For more information about The Writing Center, please contact Laurel DiGangi at Laurel.DiGangi@Woodbury.edu or 818.252.5216 or visit https://library.woodbury.edu/writing-center.
Math, Science, and Subject Tutoring Center
The Math, Science, and Subject Tutoring Center offers free peer tutoring to all Woodbury students in many courses. Additionally, students can receive tutoring for many different types of software used in their programs (i.e., Illustrator, Rhino). For more information about the Math, Science, and Subject Tutoring Center, please visit https://library.woodbury.edu/msstc.
Academic Peer Mentors (APMs) are available to help students navigate college life. APMs are student mentors who are available to meet with students throughout the semester to assist them with time management, improving study skills, and utilizing campus resources. For more information about APMs, or to be assigned one, please contact Jennifer Meza Zaragoza, Academic Counselor, at Jennifer.MezaZaragoza@woodbury.edu or 818.252.5129.
International Student Support
Specialized resources are available for international students throughout their educational journey, including:
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Individualized support through the International Student Office.
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Academic support – Tutors are available to assist new and continuing international students in many subjects, including writing.
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Workshops – Via a series of workshops on topics, including immigration regulations, practical training, post-graduation visas, and income tax, international students can attend informative events on how to most effectively acclimate to university life in the United States.
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Woodbury International Student Association (WISA) – This student organization provides a platform for international students to meet their peers and learn more about each other’s cultures through events, discussions, and gatherings.
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International Peer Advisors (IPA) – Each new international student is assigned an International Peer Advisor (IPA), a fellow international student who provides support and encouragement to new students, helping them to adjust to life at Woodbury and in the United States.
For more information about International Student Support, please contact Rossana Murano Friendman, International Student Advisor at Rossana.MuranoFriedman@woodbury.edu or 818.252.5265.