Alvernia expands student support with SOLAR Initiative

University's social services, academic success, mental and physical health resources enhanced

Alvernia University launches the SOLAR (Support, Opportunity, Love, Access, and Resources)initiative, aimed at addressing every student's academic, financial, emotional, and personal needs to improve student retention and graduation rates and foster a stronger sense of community across all students at all university locations. This initiative enhances the university's transformative culture of care by organizing comprehensive support services under a single vision and through the creation of the Office of Social Services.

"Through SOLAR we are responding to the changing needs of our students," saidAlvernia President Glynis A. Fitzgerald, Ph.D. "This campus-wide initiative is not just an office, program, or individual. It is a vision for the continuous evolution and dedication to our culture of care for every student. Through SOLAR, we aim to allow every Alvernia student, at every university location to overcome any barriers to success and achieve their personal and professional goals."

An important aspect of the SOLAR initiative includes the establishment of the Office of Social Services which will be led by Melissa Terwilliger, an experienced social services professional who joined the university in October as the inaugural Director of Social Services. Terwilliger brings over a decade of experience addressing issues such as food insecurity, homelessness, and mental health issues, challenges that face a growing number of college students nationwide.

"SOLAR represents an opportunity to continually reassess, reimagine and innovate how we support students," said Senior Vice President for Enrollment Management and Student Affairs Mary-Alice Ozechoski. "This initiative not only helps students persist but also strengthens their connection to the Alvernia community, the communities in which they learn and serve and empowers each of them to reach their full potential."

The university's development of the SOLAR initiative began with analysis results from Temple University Hope Center for Student Basic Needs Survey, which indicated 45% of Alvernia students were experiencing a basic need insecurity, barriers associated with non-completion of a college degree. Through programming development, resource allocation, and faculty and staff training, the SOLAR initiative gained steam in 2023 and became fully organized in 2024.

The university has already implemented several new programs over the past year under the SOLAR umbrella, including a Career Closetfor professional attire, a new Medical and Counseling Centerthrough a partnership with Penn Medicine Healthworks, and the launch of a Financial Wellness Center through a partnership with Visions Federal Credit Union. In addition, Alvernia has refreshed existing programs and reorganized existing on-campus resources, including the university's food pantry (Clare's Cupboard), emergency aid source (Hope Fund), and academic success programs (Navigation Officeand Academic Success Center).

"By organizing our efforts under SOLAR, we are innovating for the future of higher education, which includes more non-traditional students, increased financial need, and changes to mental and physical health needs," said Senior Vice President and Provost Leamor Kahanov, Ed.D., ATC/LAT. "Today's educational environment does not happen in a vacuum. Through SOLAR, we are developing a unique model for academic and student support that ensures students from any background, facing any unique life circumstances have access to the opportunities they deserve."