Guidance and Counseling (ACT 101)

The Department of Guidance and Counseling is designed to promote, enhance and facilitate the educational experiences of Cheyney University students by improving their personal, social, academic, and career development. Enhanced performance and growth evolves through their exposure to a variety of counseling, educational and occupational assessments offered within the department. The primary purpose of the department is to teach students how to successfully navigate in a college environment. We create and support proactive programs that help students to stimulate their intellectual growth, maximize their personal potential and make their college years a productive and meaningful experience. The department seeks to provide students with adaptive skills that prepare them to become productive citizens in their personal lives, in their professional careers and in their communities.

The following programs and services are part of the Department of Guidance and Counseling:

• Freshman Seminar-is a two-semester sequence of courses, Freshman Seminar I, GAC 101 and Freshman Seminar II, GAC 102 required of all freshmen during their freshman year. It is a required course for graduation. The courses are designed to introduce students to the university experience including advisement for the registration process and selecting a major. Students are exposed to practical information designed to assist them in developing the skills needed to be successful in their new academic and social environment.
• Academic Advising - Freshman Seminar professors serve as the academic advisors for freshman students in their respective classes. Guidance and Counseling faculty remain as students academic advisors until they declare their major. Students are taught how to select courses and successfully complete those courses required of all Cheyney students regardless of their chosen majors. Once students officially declare a major, they are assigned an academic advisor by the department from which they have selected a major.
• Psychological Counseling Services - are provided by a licensed clinical psychologist and two Master's level psychological counselors. Students may receive individual, couples, family, and group counseling. Issues may include depression, anxiety, eating disorders, substance abuse, anger, time management, relationships, parenting, roommate conflicts, loss of a loved one, academic concerns, and other issues. We provide campus-wide consultations and outreach services.
• The Act 101 Leadership Program- provides academic support including academic advising, personal counseling, tutorial services, and special activities to low-income students from Pennsylvania who did not perform at their highest level in high school or on the SAT or ACT tests. The Act 101 Leadership Program is for students who are highly motivated to succeed at Cheyney University and have the capacity to successfully progress through the academic curriculum to graduation.