Student Academic Resource Center
History

The Student Academic Resource Center (SARC) was established at the University of Central Florida in 1988 with a student-oriented philosophy based on creating and developing innovative academic support programs and services. Since 1988, the center has served over 150,000 UCF students.

The founding Director of SARC was Dr. Mary Helen Callarman. SARC became recognized campus-wide when Dr. Callarman took the initiative to create the famous "red door" landmark. Dr. Callarman's dedication to student excellence was evident when she came to the University that weekend and painted the door to the portable crimson red. Her expectations were that the bright color would increase student awareness of the center's services at the University. No one could predict the impact a paint brush and container of red paint would have on this department. Popularity of utilizing SARC programs and services increased as students were drawn to the red door.

In March 2001, SARC joined the Student Success Center and relocated to Howard Phillips Hall (HPH). This move provided the SARC with a centralized location on campus and additional space to benefit students. With enhanced visibility, student's requests for services continued to grow. UCF students and the community became increasingly aware of the various services SARC offered. Some of these services included: the Pegasus Success Program, the College Achievement Program, Supplemental Instruction (SI), peer tutoring services, academic success workshops, mastering college level seminars, learning fairs, and online learning support.

The Student Academic Resource Center implemented programs and services as follows:

• 1988-1989 The Student Academic Resource Center
  • Tutorial Services
  • College Achievement Program
• 1994-1995 Pegasus Success Program
• 1996-1997
  • Supplemental Instruction Program
  • Academic Success Workshops
• 1997-1998 SARC Open 24 Hours During Finals Week
• 1997-1998 Probation Intervention Program/Academic Alert Program
• 2001 Mastering College Level Coursework Seminars
• 2003 General Knowledge (FTCE) Math Workshop Series
• 2004 SARC Annual Fall Learning Fair
• 2004 T.A.S.K. (Tutors Advancing Student Knowledge) became a recognized student organization through the Office of Student Involvement
• 2005 Peer Mentoring Program
• 2008 Academic Advising Office for Spring Admitted FTIC Students
• 2009 Spring Learning Fair

The Student Academic Resource Center is extremely proud to have received the following campus, state, and national recognitions:

• 1999-2000 National Association of Student Personnel Administrators "Bridge to Student Success and Exemplary Program Award"
• 2001-2002
  • Pegasus Success Program Received Outstanding Institutional Advising Program award from NACADA
  • Pegasus Success Program and Supplemental Instruction Program received Best Practices in Florida award
• 2002 Supplemental Instruction (SI) Program - Best Practices in the State of Florida
• 2002-2003 NCLCA/LSCHE Website Award Winner - Honorable Mention
• 2004 NCLCA/LSCHE Website Award Winner - 1st Place
• 2004 National Tutoring Association (NTA) Tutor of the Year - Elizabeth Keller
• 2006 Lee Noel and Randi Levitz Retention Excellence Award - Pegasus Success Program
• 2006-2007 Outstanding First Year Advocate Award - Learning and Interacting with New Knights (LINK)
• 2008-2009 Outstanding First Year Advocate Award - Learning and Interacting with New Knights (LINK)
• 2009 NCLCA/LSCHE Website Award Winner - Honorable Mention

Professional Staff Recognition:

Jennifer Wright, Director
• 2004 National Tutoring Association (NTA) - Member of the Year
• 2004-2005 Outstanding First Year Student Advocate Award - Student Development and Enrollment Services
• 2007-2008 Outstanding First Year Student Advocate Award - Student Development and Enrollment Services
• 2007 Golden Key International Honour Society - Region 3 Advisor of the Year


Dr. Ana Mack, Coordinator of Learning Support Services
• 2006 SDES Continuous Learner/Stands for Opportunity Award
• 2008-2009 SDES Experienced Professional Award


Abby Riggenbach, Coordinator of Academic Advising Services
• 2008-2009 Outstanding First Year Student Advocate Award - Student Development and Enrollment Services


Ann-Marie Prince, Website Administrator
• 2009 NCLCA/LSCHE Website Award Winner - Honorable Mention

Student Academic Resource Center
Student Development and Enrollment Services
Last Updated: September 30, 2009 by Annie Prince
E-mail: aprince@mail.ucf.edu