Counseling and Career Development Center
The Counseling and Career Development Center provides academic, career, and personal counseling services, and academic advising to Gaston College students. The center also provides career assessments (interest, personality, and values inventories), college-transfer information, and disability services. The Counseling Center is located on the second floor of the Myers Center at the Dallas Campus. Counselors are available to meet with students on the Kimbrell Campus and a counselor is on staff at the Lincoln Campus. All services are free and confidential.
Personal Counseling Services
Counselors are available to discuss academic, social, or personal concerns that may interfere with student success. Students who need personal counseling beyond a few sessions will be referred to community resources to be assisted more effectively.
Career Services
The counseling staff provides career guidance to students who need help deciding on an educational and career goal. Counselors use a variety of interest inventories and online resources to assist students in the career exploration process.
Academic Advisement
The majority of new students enrolling in Associate in Applied Science degrees at Gaston College are advised by the counseling staff during their first semester. Counselors/advisors also advise returning students in pre-health, health transfer, special credit, and undecided majors. Academic advising is an integral part of student success. It is recommended that students meet with their assigned advisor on a regular basis to review plans and progress.
Transfer Advising Center
The Transfer Advising Center helps students in planning and completion of Associate of Arts, Associate of Science, and Associate of Fine Arts degrees at Gaston College. Additionally, center staff work with students to research career options and choose universities that will best suit their future educational and career goals, aiding in the transfer process.
The Transfer Advising Center is located in the Myers Center, room 249. Center services are available for students on a drop-in and appointment basis from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Fridays during the academic year. Summer hours are 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Monday through Thursday.
To reach the Transfer Advising Center, please call 704.922.6576 or 704.922.8402.
Disability Services
The Counseling and Career Development Center will assist and advise students, with documented disabilities, in arranging academic support and reasonable accommodations. Accommodations are arranged on an individual basis, specific to the student’s needs. The Counseling Center’s goal is to provide students with disabilities with appropriate special accommodations so they may compete on an equal basis in the classroom with their peers. Students must provide all necessary documentation prior to receiving any special accommodations. Accommodations may include, but are not limited to: individual counseling and advocacy assistance, priority registration, interpreting services for the deaf and hearing-impaired students, alternative testing accommodations, access to assistive technology, referrals for tutorial services, assistance in securing note takers or readers, and referrals to human service agencies.
The Counseling Center serves as a resource to students, faculty, and staff on issues related to compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 2008, and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973. For information on services, contact the Special Needs Counselor at 704.922.6224. The Counseling Center is located on the second floor of the Myers Center.
Student Persistence and Retention
TRiO/SSS
Student Support Services (SSS) is a federally-funded TRiO/SSS program that provides ongoing support throughout a student’s college career. TRiO/SSS helps students meet the rigors of higher education, graduate from Gaston College, and/or transfer to a four-year institution. Participation in the program is completely voluntary and available to students interested in achieving their academic goals of graduating or transferring within four years of entering the program. We promote student development by providing opportunities to grow personally, socially, and academically.
Acceptance into the program is based on an application process, where only 140 students can be accepted. Students must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S., and enrolled in Gaston College. Students must also demonstrate a need for academic support and meet at least one of the federally defined criteria:
- Low Income - The term “low income” means an individual whose family’s taxable income for the preceding year did not exceed 150 percent of the poverty level amount.
- First Generation - Neither parents/guardians have a bachelor’s degree
- Documented Disability
Services provided through TRiO/SSS include:
- Academic Advising-Students are assigned an advisor who will work with them throughout their academic career at Gaston College.
- Financial Literacy-Workshops geared towards assisting students in securing the maximum amounts of financial aid and in maximizing their personal wealth are offered each semester.
- Transfer Planning-Once students earn their degree, TRiO/SSS fully promotes students transferring to a four-year college or university. Through assessments students can explore career interests, personality traits and learning styles. Advisors provide assistance in completing admissions applications and arrange college visits to various colleges and universities.
- Tutoring-Students can apply for tutoring services in the Learning Center through the TRiO program. Tutoring is available at no charge to all students enrolled in curriculum courses.
- Volunteer and Community Involvement-The students in TRiO offer a variety of community outreach opportunities each year. This is a dynamic aspect of the TRiO program and students are encouraged to lead and engage in one or more community service projects. Participation in community projects is an essential element of an individual’s academic journey.
- Cultural and Social Events-TRiO/SSS students are privileged to take part on a variety of cultural and social trips and activities each semester for free or at minimum cost.
- Connections and Referral Services to Outside Agencies-Referrals to other college offices, as well as community agencies, are made to help students meet personal, academic, and financial needs.
Student Persistence and Success Plan-Datatel Alert
Student Success at Gaston College is defined as graduation. In an effort to increase students’ successful course completion and progress to graduation, the college has an early alert intervention program called Student Persistence and Success Plan. The reporting system provides a tool for college academic support staff and academic advisors to request feedback and advice from faculty concerning students’ academic performance in a course. Academic performance includes attendance, homework completion, motivation, engagement with courses, and grades.
Student Persistence and Success Plan Works
The purpose of the early alert intervention is to:
- Provide students with feedback concerning their overall, comprehensive performance in a course(s), in a way that individual grades do not always convey.
- Provide students with suggestions/strategies for their improvement in individual courses (e.g., class attendance, completion of assignments, individual conference with instructor, etc.)
- Provide student performance data to administrators/academic advisors/counselors who are monitoring/mentoring students enrolled in specific programs.
- Provide the administrator/academic advisor/counselor the opportunity to help students access resources for academic success (e.g., tutoring, supplemental instruction, conference with instructor, time management, and study skills) and reposition for academic success.
- Enable the college to better identify and intervene with the students and other designated students at an earlier point.
Gaston College Student Emergency Assistance Program
The Student Emergency Assistance Program is funded by the Gaston College Foundation and provides emergency financial assistance to help defray the costs of tuition, books, and academic supplies. The application form and criteria is available on the Gaston College website under Student Resources and Persistence and Retention.
Step Up
At the heart of Gaston College’s most successful student initiatives is a holistic advising model which provides individualized services to “at-risk” students. Step Up will provide one Success Advisor with the aid of three Peer Mentors to proactively advise 75 students who are either low income or first-generation, with a focus towards minority students between the ages of 18 and 24. Step Up students will be guaranteed a $250 scholarship upon re-enrollment in the Fall of 2015 with a minimum GPA of 2.5.
Learn 4 Life
College is more than just the grades you make. Many students do several outside activities that greatly enhance their college experience. Why not be recognized for all the things you do? Enhance your experience and employability by earning the Learn 4 Life Award. This optional program involves hands-on learning, in-depth studies, and guidance along the way.
Student Activities
Gaston College recognizes the value of student activities. The College provides a well-balanced program developed in response to student requests and needs.
A large measure of responsibility for campus affairs is with the Student Government Association (SGA). The students plan and present many co-curricular campus activities. Activities vary from semester to semester depending upon student choice. Participation in college governance by students may include membership on numerous college and campus committees. More information about student activities is available in the Office of the Coordinator of Student Activities.
Student Identification Card
Each student will receive a Gaston College photo ID card that is non-transferable and void unless validated for the current term. Loss or theft of a Gaston College photo ID card should be reported within 24 hours to the Chief of Campus Police. The cost for a replacement ID card is $10.00.
College Bookstores
Dallas Campus
The Dallas Campus bookstore is located in the Myers Center on the Dallas Campus. The bookstore provides new and used textbooks, school and office supplies, computer software, and various course related items. The bookstore also has college-related apparel, gifts, greeting cards, and general items to support the campus community.
In addition to the bookstore, textbooks can also be ordered on-line by visiting the bookstores web page at www.gaston.edu/student-resources/bookstore/.
The Dallas Campus bookstore is open Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m. and Friday, 8:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m. Hours during semester breaks and the summer term are subject to change. For further information call 704.922.6428.
Lincoln Campus
The Lincoln Campus bookstore is located in the Lincoln Campus building on the second floor, Suite 201. Textbooks are available for all classes taught at this campus. Student supplies and College insignia items are sold there as well. The Lincoln Campus bookstore is open Monday-Thursday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. and Friday, 8:00 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Hours during the summer term and when classes are not in session are subject to change. For further information call 704.748.1075.
Kimbrell Campus & Textile Technology Center
The Kimbrell Campus bookstore is located in the basement of Harney Hall located at 2770 Wilkinson Blvd., in Belmont, North Carolina. Textbooks are available for all classes taught at this campus.
Student supplies and college insignia items are sold there as well. The Kimbrell Campus bookstore is open Monday-Wednesday, 12:00-2:00 p.m. and Friday, 11:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. Hours during the summer term and when classes are not in session are subject to change. For further information call 704.825.3737, ext. 229.
Returns and Refund Policy
Full refunds for textbooks are given each semester during the first ten days of the current semester or ten days from the date of purchase. Proof of purchase must accompany all returns and purchases must have been made for the current term (no exceptions). Returned textbooks must be unmarked and in re-saleable condition. Bundled textbooks cannot be unwrapped.
Refunds are NOT given on community education, continuing education, corporate education, adult high school, or textbooks purchased for a previous semester. Also, no refunds are given on supplies, gifts, or non-textbook items.
Book Buy-back Program
Used books in good condition are purchased back from students the last three days of each semester. The buyback occurs at the bookstore located on the Dallas Campus during regular store hours.
WSGE 91.7 FM Radio Station
Studios and transmitter for our non-commercial, public station are located on the Dallas Campus. WSGE is known for its eclectic programming, offering listeners a mix of Adult Alternative, Americana, Blues, Beach, Shag, and deep-cut Rock. The station also serves as a source for local news and information.
Food Service/Vending
The Gaston College Café is located on the Dallas Campus in the Myers Center Building next to the bookstore. The hours of operation are Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m.to 2:00 p.m. Delicious hot meals, burgers, other sandwiches, chicken strips, and beverages are available during this time. “Grab-n-Go” service from the grill is available from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. Hours during the summer term and when classes are not in session are subject to change.
Catering services are also available upon request. Additionally, vending machines are located on all campuses in most buildings for your convenience.
An ATM and copy machine are located on the first floor of the Myers Center on the Dallas Campus for the convenience of students.
Housing
Gaston College is a commuter institution designed to serve residents of the surrounding area and does not provide dormitories and housing for its students.
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