First Year Advising Center
What is the Reach Program?
The Reach Program was established in 1969. It is an alternative admission program designed for students who fall just outside the ‘regular admission’ standards. The Reach Program is committed to offering students the opportunity to participate in higher education.
- Students are selected based on Academic GPA in their “core classes”, ACT/SAT scores, Letters of Recommendation and Student Goal Statements.
- Experienced Advisors serve as mentors and advocates who offer students: encouragement, advice, class registration guidance, and join with them in celebrating their many successes.
- Advisors partner with students to guide, support and impact their experience as they navigate the first year of college.
There is no separate application for the Reach Program. Please see details at the Office of Admission website.
Reach Program Requirements
By accepting admissions into WIU through the Reach program, a student is agreeing to the following. (Click on each item to get further details.) Reach students who do not uphold their Reach program requirements may have an impact on their financial support and ability to progress into future terms.
1. Attend a Mandatory Meeting the Friday before classes begin.
Academic Year 2024-25
Mandatory Meeting: Reach Kick-Off
Date: Friday, August 16
Time: 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Location: University Union
* QUAD-CITY REACH: Your Advisor will share an alternative way to complete this requirement.
2. Consult with your Reach advisor eight times per semester (every 2 weeks).
It is important for Reach students to monitor their WIU email as Reach advisors will be reaching out to get meetings scheduled. Meetings with the Reach advisor should be occurring throughout the semester. The goal is to ensure Reach students are receiving timely support, get to review academic policies, and ensuring university deadlines are not missed.
3. Attend 4 hours of weekly study tables, tutoring and/or any additional academic support programs.
The goal of study hours are to ensure Reach students are engaging with their academics throughout the semester. While it is possible that a student may complete more than 4 hours on a given week, it is important that the required study hours are completed using the following options.
*Study Hours Begin Week 2 (Tuesday, January 21 ) & End Week 16 (Friday, May 2nd)
* No Study Hours available on the following days (February 12, March 10 -14)
Study Hall Hours (Macomb)
*It is the student's responsibility to check-in and check-out of study hours or risk loosing hours that have been accumulated for the study session.*
Check in and out at front desk using the designated QR codes
Monday - 8:30pm - 4:00pm
Tuesday - 8:30am - 4:00pm
Wednesday - 8:30am - 4:00pm
Thursday - 8:30am - 4:00pm
Friday - 8:30am - 4:00pm
Check in and out at Reference Service Desk or at Tutoring check-in Table after 5pm Monday - Thursday
Monday - 10:00am - 9:00pm
Tuesday - 10:00am - 9:00pm
Wednesday - 10:00am - 9:00pm
Thursday - 10:00am - 9:00pm
Friday - 10:00am - 5:00pm
Check in and out at front desk using the designated QR codes.
Monday - 9:00am - 7:00pm
Tuesday - 9:00am - 7:00pm
Wednesday - 9:00am - 7:00pm
Thursday - 9:00am - 6:00pm
Friday - 9:00am - 3:00pm
Study Hall Hours (Quad-Cities)
Monday - TBD
Tuesday - TBD
Wednesday - TBD
Thursday - TBD
Friday - TBD
In addition to study hall hours, a Reach student may utilize the following academic support options to count toward their required study hours.
Student Learning Center (SLC) Tutoring
Reach students may work with an SLC tutor to get academic support for their classes and receive study hours at the same time. It is highly encouraged that students sign up for an appointment to guarantee themselves some time but walk-ins are welcomed. View the SLC Tutoring page for more information. (Quad-Cities can join virtually)
Faculty Office Hours Form (faculty complete)
Reach students who visit office hours may receive "Study Hours" Credit by having their faculty complete the "Instructor Office Hours" Form.
Writing Center Support
Students who complete a Writing Center session will receive a summary report in their WIU email. Students can forward this report to firstname.lastname@example.org.
4. Consult with your Reach advisor before dropping/adding a class or changing your major.
Reach advisors want to ensure that your time to graduation is not impacted by any schedule changes made. The Reach advisor is taking multiple factors into consideration such as pre-requisite requirements for future classes, how often a course is offered, etc. It is important that Reach students consult with their Reach advisor before making any schedule changes to ensure they are not jeopardizing their academic progress or fall below full-time student status.
5. Create a personalized involvement plan with Reach advisor focused around connecting to WIU co-curricular activities.
Getting involved in campus is an important part of the college experience. Yet, it is important that students are able to balance their involvement with their academic responsibilities. Reach students can explore with their Reach advisor various ways to get involved on campus while working on developing organizational skills and time management.
6. Register, attend, and participate in University 100 during your first semester of attendance.
University 100 is a 1 semester hour course focused on assisting students in learning how to successfully transition to the university and discuss how to live well as a student (physically, intellectually, socially/civically and emotionally).
7. Allow your advisor to share grades and relevant academic information with parents/guardians who may support you.
Working with a Reach students parent/guardian allows us to provide academic and wellness support to student in different forms.
8. Continue participation in the Reach program until significant academic progress has been demonstrated.
a. Completion of a minimum of 27 semester hours from WIU.
b. Earned a cumulative GPA of at least 2.0 (or minimum GPA required by major).
c. Have a declared major.
Academic Support Resources
Student and Guardian Testimonials
I can’t thank you enough for everything you have done for me this year. I definitely wouldn’t have been able to do it without you! -Savannah 2019-2020
I feel really proud of myself and I couldn’t have done it without you. Thanks for giving me a chance at WIU. –Kevin 2018-2020
Thank you so much! I couldn’t do it without having an amazing advisor like you making sure I was always on track! Thank you for everything Kelly. –Stefanie 2019-2020
I think you are a kind and thoughtful person and I am very grateful that Ja'da has you as her Advisor. You are doing such a tremendous job keeping her on her toes and helping her stay focused on her goals. Words cannot express my gratitude. I honestly see how dedicated you are to your career and the students at the school. It shows and great job! -Parent of Ja’Da 2017-2018
Thank you for teaching me to advocate for myself and see my professors during their office hours. It really helps. Thank you for believing in me.—OAS student 2017-2018
Thank you. You have been very helpful for Mike. We really appreciate all that you have done for him to contribute to a successful first year. –Parent of Mike 2019-2020
The guidance you have given her has given her confidence that she is on the right track with her studies. Jackie mentions you quite often in our talks and I can tell you've had a great influence on her to help make her time at WIU a positive experience.—Parent of Jackie 2016-17
For additional information you may contact Dr. Miguel Huerta, Director of FYAC at email@example.com.