Transition and Academic Skills Center

Transition and Academic Skills Center

The Transition and Academic Skills Center (TASC) provides various services and areas of support that assist students toward a successful transition into the Western Illinois University community.  These services include Leatherneck Launch (New Student Orientation) duirng fall, spring and summer which is designed to introduce new students to Western; Academic Success Coaching, a service to students to help them achieve their academic goals, Rocky's Resources which includes tutoring services as well as academic success workshops for all students, and Camp Leatherneck, an engaging program for new students that takes place prior the start of the academic year.  Camp has a social focus and is based on the tenets of Leadership, Service and Community.    

Services

Academic Success Coaching

The purpose of academic success coaching is to provide additional suppport to student striving to reach their academic potential.  Success Coaching is an interactive process that helps students get to where they want to be. To learn more about Academic Success Coaching click here.

Leatherneck Launch (New Student Orientation)

Leatherneck Launch programs take place for incoming students prior to each academic semester and for Fall matriculation, throughout the summer.  Due to COVID guidelines, Summer 2021 Leatherneck Launch programs will occurr in a virtual format for students on the Macomb campus. 

Camp Leatherneck

Camp Leatherneck is a FREE 2-day leadership retreat for incoming students that focuses on individual leadership development, provides opportunities for student/faculty/staff interactions, emphasizes the importance of understanding diversity, and promotes social responsibility by participating in community service. 

Rocky's Resources (Tutoring and Academic Success Workshops)

Both these services offer support and academic skills development to students.  Tutoring is FREE and offered via Zoom, the video-conferencing platform. 

Academic Success Workshops  provide students with valuable information on how to transition to college-level thinking.  For information on tutoring or academic success workshops, click here.


Staff                                                                                                                                         

Director                                                                                                  Graduate Assistants                                             
  • Dr. Michelle Janisz                                                                                           
    Memorial Hall 008                                                         Ashley Kerley (Leatherneck Launch)       Johna Lawens (Academic Success Coaching)                                                                                                                                                            Ian Clark (Tutoring)                                    Tammie Leigh Brown-Edwards (Academic Success Workshops)
Academic Success Coaches                                                                Contact Information
  • Lisa Melz-Jennings                                                                                                  (309) 298-1131
    Memorial Hall 022                                                                                                   tasc@wiu.edu
  • Andrea Riebling
    Memorial Hall 022