Center for Student Success
Ohio Northern University’s Center for Student Success provides new opportunities for students to access support and resources as we all strive toward living out the University's mission of providing, "a high-quality learning environment that prepares students for success in their careers; service to their communities, the nation and the world; and a lifetime of personal growth inspired by the higher values of truth, beauty and goodness.”
Holistic student services
The Center for Student Success provides direction and support for students as they connect to campus; establish their academic, personal and professional goals; and discover their path to success. To assist students in defining their goals and thriving on their way toward personal growth and success, we offer the following services.
Take the first step toward living the Polar Bear life
Ask your admissions tour guide or counselor about ǿմý's Center for Student Success when you visit campus. Your academic future is in good hands at Northern. We offer several services to keep you informed, meet your needs, and help you to focus on and complete your academic studies.Academic support, all in one space
The Center for Student Success is located in a beautiful, modern space on the second floor of Heterick Memorial Library—right in the heart of campus. Our easy-to-navigate, convenient location ensures that every student can access the academic support they need.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Think of the Mifsud Center for Student Success as your student’s ultimate campus resource hub. Located in a beautiful, newly renovated space on the second floor of the Heterick Memorial Library, this centralized suite brings ǿմý’s major academic, personal, and professional support programs together under one roof. Whether a student is a high-achiever looking to study abroad, or someone needing a little extra help passing a tough exam, the Center provides the direction, tools, and encouragement they need to graduate on time and thrive.
- Actionable Step: When you take your official campus tour, make sure to ask your tour guide to walk you through the second floor of the library so you can see this collaborative space firsthand.
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Yes, tutoring is completely free for all undergraduate students! Housed within the Center for Student Success, our peer-tutoring program offers weekly drop-in sessions as well as by-appointment tutoring tailored to specific courses. Our peer tutors are high-achieving students trained to help their classmates master tough material. Additionally, the Center features a dedicated Writing Center to assist with essays and research papers at any stage of the writing process.
- Actionable Step: Encourage your student to bookmark the online tutoring schedule during their first week of classes so they can drop in before their first major exam.
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We are deeply committed to providing an inclusive learning environment. The Office of Accessibility Services, located right inside the Center, coordinates tailored accommodations for students with documented physical, learning, or psychological disabilities. The space features a state-of-the-art Testing Center with 32 individual testing cubicles for a reduced-distraction environment. It even includes a dedicated Sensory Room equipped with adjustable ambient lighting, cozy seating, and weighted blankets to support mindfulness and stress reduction.
- Actionable Step: If your student requires accommodations, reach out to accessibilityservices@onu.edu over the summer to submit documentation and set up an intake meeting before the fall semester begins.
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The Polar Career Center is our on-campus professional development hub, and we heavily encourage students to utilize it starting their very first semester! Located within the Student Success suite, our career counselors host major career fairs, review resumes, conduct mock interviews, and connect students to high-impact internships. Our proactive approach pays off: 95% of our recent graduates are employed or in graduate school within six months of graduation. Plus, access to the Polar Career Center is a lifetime benefit for ǿմý alumni!
- Actionable Step: Have your student download and set up their profile on our campus career network during orientation week to start looking at early on-campus employment and internship tracks.
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It absolutely does! The Office of Global Initiatives is located inside the Center for Student Success. This office serves a dual purpose: it helps our international students transition smoothly to life in Ada, and it coordinates a wide array of study abroad and faculty-led travel opportunities. Whether your student wants to spend a spring break tracing history in Europe or a full semester studying overseas, our global team handles the logistics, safety protocols, and credit transfers.
- Actionable Step: If your student is interested in international travel, have them stop by the Global Initiatives desk during their freshman year to explore program options that fit perfectly with their academic major.
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No Polar Bear has to navigate challenges alone. The Center for Student Success works closely with faculty members and our campus CARE Team to step in early if a student is falling behind, missing classes, or feeling overwhelmed. Our advisors provide customized, non-judgmental advisory sessions to help students identify roadblocks, adjust their study habits, or connect with campus health and counseling resources.
- Actionable Step: Remind your student that asking for help is a sign of strength; if they ever feel stuck, their first step should be walking into the second floor of the library to speak with a Student Success advisor.
Center for Student Success
2nd Floor, Heterick Memorial Library525 South Main Street
Ada, Ohio 45810
419-772-2033
academic-affairs@onu.edu