Great Start

Get your first year at the University of Montevallo
off to a Great Start!

Transitioning from high school to college is exciting. Meeting new friends and experiencing college life is thrilling, but not knowing what to expect from college-level classes and college life can be a little stressful. The Great Start Program is here to help! 

The Great Start Program (GSP) is a supportive, alternative-admission program designed to help first-year University of Montevallo students successfully transition from high school to college, build a strong academic foundation, and unlock their full potential at UM. The main feature of this program is SUPPORT – academic, emotional, and social.

Below are the different resources and opportunities Great Start has to offer.

Great Start Peer Mentors

Great Start (GS) students are matched with a mentor, a student who understands what it is like to be a first-year student. Through monthly small groups and one-on-one meetings, peer mentors discuss topics such as getting to know their professors, managing college stress, and getting plugged into campus life. They also help GS students develop friendship and connection within the group.

Jordyn is one of this year’s Great Start Peer Mentors. She is a sophomore majoring in Speech-Language Pathology. A few of her favorite things include movies, dining in cozy coffee shops, and exploring new cities. When asked why she wanted to become a peer mentor, Jordyn replied, “I wanted to be a peer mentor because I know starting college can feel overwhelming, and I want to help make the transition easier for new students.”

Ashlei is excited to serve as a Great Start Peer Mentor this year. She is a Political Science major with a minor in Pre-Law, and is also a member of the Women’s Lacrosse team. She is fortunate to be on track to graduate this upcoming May, and plans to pursue law school with the goal of becoming a defense attorney. Outside of academics, Ashlei enjoys listening to country music, shopping, watching crime documentaries, and meeting new people. As a peer mentor, she looks forward to supporting students as they navigate college life, build community, and reach their academic and personal goals.

Great Start Program Coordinator

Julean Kirkpatrick has been the Program Coordinator of the Great Start Program at UM since 2021. She works with first-year students to successfully transition to college life providing encouragement, mentoring, and resources to help them grow in confidence. She also organizes workshops and events to empower students to succeed academically, socially, and personally.

Julean earned her Bachelor’s in Counseling Foundations from Samford University and Master’s in Counseling – Marriage and Family from Liberty University. She loves helping students reach their potential and uses her education and experience to connect with them personally and provide guidance that fits their unique needs.

Beyond her work at Montevallo, Julean facilitates small groups for parents and teens as they plan for life beyond high school. She is also a proud member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., and values being part of organizations that empower and uplift others.

One-on-One Academic Coaching

GSP participants will receive ongoing emotional support, one-on-one assistance on how to balance the demands of academics and college life  and create an academic plan of success. Topics discussed in academic coaching will include:

• Time management
• Improving studying skills
• Test-taking strategies
• Accessing campus resources

Student Success Workshops

The Great Start Program offers a variety of fun and interactive workshops throughout the year to assist participants in being successful inside and outside the classroom. Some of the workshops include:

• Study Skills and Time Management Hacks
• Cash for College with the Student Aid Office
• It’s Real: College Students and Mental Health
• Stop Procrastinating and Get It Done!
• Recognizing Healthy vs. Unhealthy Relationships
• Preparing for Mid-terms and Final Exams

Requirements for Great Start Program Participants

• Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
• Attend New Student Orientation.
• Register for 12-16 credit hours in the upcoming semester, including UM 101 (First-Year Seminar), ENG 101 (Composition I), and two to three other courses to reach 12-16 credit hours.
  • We encourage students to register for ENG 100 (Composition Practicum), which is a one-credit, pass/fail class where students work one-on-one with English graduate students for personalized writing support.
• Attend the mandatory welcome mixer event to meet other Great Start students.
• Meet with the Great Start Program Coordinator within the first three weeks of classes to create a semester success plan and personal pathway to success.
• Attend at least three (3) designated Student Success Workshops and at least two (2) events throughout the academic year offered by guest speakers and campus partners.
• Achieve a 2.0 or higher GPA at the end of your first semester.
• Schedule bi-weekly appointments with the Great Start Program Coordinator if you are experiencing any academic problems or issues (i.e., difficulty keeping up in class, low grades or test scores, missing assignments, poor class attendance, academic warning, etc.). Don’t be afraid to ask for help.