Academic & Career Engagement Program

2022 Ace Team Photo

The Academic and Career Engagement (ACE) Program in the College of Health and Human service provides our first-year students with an environment that encourages academic success in the transition from high school to college. Through personalized academic and career coaching, this first-year experience program assists students with navigating academic and co-curricular resources, developing skills in active learning, reflection, and decision making, and exploring vast career options and alumni connections; all the while, fostering a community of belonging and involvement within CHHS and UNH. 

PURPOSE

  • Cultivate a sense of belonging to CHHS and UNH 
  • Facilitate resource knowledge and navigation 
  • Explore majors and possible careers and encourage professional and personal networking

OBJECTIVE

To provide CHHS first year students an environment that encourages curricular and co-curricular success in the following areas:

  • Transition from high school to college
  • Resource navigation - academic and co-curricular resources
  • Active learning, reflection, decision making
  • Career exploration and alumni connections
  • Personal/social skills (time management, stress management, living in a global community, etc.)
  • Strong sense of belonging to and active involvement in UNH and CHHS

THREE PILLARS

Professional advisors in the Dean’s office serve as ACE academic coaches. They serve as academic advisors for all first-year students in CHHS. They also instruct the ACE seminars, meet one-on-one with their students a minimum of three times a semester, and supervise the ACE Peer Mentor Team. Academic coaches take a holistic approach to advising and their meeting and seminar topics may include but are not limited to: course progress, application to major of choice, campus resources, life on campus, study abroad interest, future semester course registration.

ACE Mentors are upper class students in CHHS who help new students adjust to life at UNH and CHHS. The ACE Mentor Team members serve as a resource and mentor to a small group of CHHS first year students. Additionally, ACE Mentors co-facilitate first-year seminars and continue to connect with their small group of students throughout the year. The ACE Mentor leadership position involves consistent training in our Peer Leadership course.

The ACE seminars for CHHS operate as the foundation of the experience in the ACE Program. All CHHS first-year students take the ACE seminar in the fall semester. During Spring semester they also take an ACE Career Seminar that will operate as the second half of the ACE Program experience. These ACE Seminars help students learn about each major the college offers through department presentations, learn about important campus resources, explore topics such as study abroad, diversity and inclusion, health and wellness and discuss career exploration and options with our CHHS Career Director. ACE peer mentors hold small group sessions in seminars to answer any questions the students have and to allow time to share stories of their experiences.

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ACE Program Staff