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Presented below is general information about the Achieve Program, individual contact information for each of the full time staff at the Program, and answers to specific questions you might have about the Program. We hope you take a moment to read about Achieve, because you likely will have or already had an Achieve Program student in one of your classes.
A Brief History of the Achieve Program
The Achieve Program has provided academic support to SIUC students with learning disabilities since 1978. It was founded by Dr. Barbara Cordoni, who served as the Coordinator of Achieve until 2001. It was the first program of its type at a major university, and has offered continuous service to students for 30 years. It was originally supported through internal University funding. A three-year federal grant was awarded in the fall of 1980. Achieve was the first post-secondary support program at a major four-year university to receive federal funding of this nature. In August, 1983, "Project Achieve" became the Clinical Center Achieve Program due to the University's decision to "institutionalize" the Program. The Achieve Program was the first such program to be institutionalized by any college/university in the country. This has insured that the quality support services that were began in 1978 will be around for many years to come.
Overview of the Achieve Program
The Clinical Center Achieve Program is an academic support program for college students with learning disabilities and/or attention deficit disorders who are enrolled at Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. The Program is self-supportive and participation in the Program is optional, voluntary, and confidential. It is separate from the University's Disability Support Services office.
Achieve is in place to provide comprehensive support that exceeds the mandate of law. We operate as a not-for-profit partial cost recovery program at the University. As a permanent University program, Achieve is provided with space, heat, lights, etc from the University; the fees charged to Achieve students represent a recovery of direct service costs. The Program makes no profit from these charges, nor does the University.
Students in the Achieve Program are included in the regular college curricula and campus life. Support services offered to all full time members on an unlimited, as needed basis include:
1) individual tutoring;
2) notes provided by hired notetakers;
3) test proctoring, including extended time, private rooms, readers and scribes (if necessary);
4) audiobooks in a variety of formats;
5) remediation;
6) developmental writing assistance (staff providing in depth writing training to meet the core curriculum requirements);
7) an Organizational Group to meet the needs of students for whom time management, organization and planning are deficit areas;
8) access to a private, modern computer lab with assistive technology;
9) LD specialists on staff, who supervise and advocate for students;
10) an Achieve Program section of University 101, a three credit hour class to help a student's transition to University life. The Achieve Program offers full time support for students during the regular school year, and more flexible, but more limited support for students enrolled in the summer semester. A more comprehensive look at services provided can be seen on our "Prospective Students" page.
Staff Directory
Sally DeDecker: 453-6131 lukidawg@siu.edu
Roger Pugh: 453-2369 achieve@siu.edu
Suzy Richter: 453-6155 suzy@siu.edu
Arlene Tan: 453-6135 arlenet@siu.edu
Evelyn Horsley: 453-2367 ehorsley@siu.edu
Ruth O'Rourke: 453-6161 rorourke@siu.edu
In addition, Achieve hires 8-12 graduate assistants who work as student supervisors. Through the course of a semester, you might get emails or phone calls from them.
Achieve compares favorably to any other comprehensive LD support program in the country. It was the first of its kind at a large public university. Achieve has been an example of the mission of the University's Clinical Center, providing services for the community and training for professionals. We invite you to tour our facilities for a closer look, and to have an opportunity to discuss any questions you might have.