The University provides a comprehensive orientation and advising system, which is woven into the fabric of the University’s learning community.  Academic advising and orientation are components of the Academic Support Program to Inspire and Reach Excellence (ASPIRE).  Each component of ASPIRE is designed to enhance each student’s academic experience.

The ASPIRE experience begins with New Student Orientation during the summer, prior to the beginning of the fall semester.  A second orientation is provided for new students entering in January and each student develops a comprehensive Career Portfolio.  The orientation process continues throughout the freshmen year, through the new student orientation classes – Freshmen Seminar and additional structured activities.  The primary components are New Student Orientation, Cultural, Academic, Religious Series (C.A.R.S), Freshmen Seminar, Parents, Peers, Alumni and Advisors for Learning Success (P.P.A.A.L.S), Math and Writing Labs and Service Learning.

STUDENT ORIENTATION
Student orientation provides students and their families an opportunity to become familiar with the programs and services offered at the University that will facilitate a smooth transition into university life.

The Orientation program is designed to:
• Explain the opportunities and responsibilities of academic life
• Inform students about the University's numerous resources
• Ease the transition to college life
• Encourage students to maintain their health and wellness
• Integrate entering students into life at the University
• Familiarize families of new students with the University experience
• Introduce college level study skills and time management

COMPASS TESTING/ASSESSMENT AND PLACEMENT
The COMPASS testing/assessment and placement helps to identify each student’s skill level in math, writing and reading, and assist the student’s advisor in selecting the appropriate math and English classes that fit each student’s skill level.

The purpose of academic placement testing is to enroll students in courses that appropriately challenge them and enhance their current level of skills and knowledge. Certain math and English composition courses have a laboratory attached to the overall course requirement.  Students who demonstrate that additional skill development is needed are assigned classes with a lab.  Lab attendance is a part of the course grade.

CULTURAL ACADEMIC RELIGIOUS SERIES (C.A.R.S.)
The Cultural Academic Religious Series provides an opportunity for students, faculty, and staff to assemble weekly to experience programming that highlights speakers, activities and presentations from within the University community and the larger community to inspire students’ intellectual, cultural, social and spiritual development to promote academic excellence.

The C.A.R.S. experience is designed to enrich students holistically and assist in the development of new habits of learning that will enhance their academic experience.

FRESHMEN SEMINAR
The objective of Freshmen Seminar is to provide students with a holistic academic experience by incorporating a variety of activities to enhance students' learning.

Students will master the Learning to Learn skill on or before the completion of the course. The text covers the following topics: health and safety, leadership, career outlook and development, higher education/ professional decorum, study skills, time-management, life and communication skills, etc.

PARENTS, PEERS, ALUMNI, and ADVISORS FOR LEARNING SUCCESS (PPAALS)
Parents, Peers, Alumni, and Advisors for Learning Success groups surround students with varied persons within the learning community that will embrace, support and encourage new students to have a successful academic experience.

These various groups embrace, support and encourage students to have a productive, positive and successful experience at Allen University as well as assist in their preparation for jobs and careers.

ACADEMIC ADVISING
The University adopts the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) core values and serves in a shepherding role toward their advisees. 
• At-risk students are identified early and a program is developed to help them succeed
• Guide students in pacing their programs of study

The objective of academic advising is to enable students to complete his/her degree and graduate from Allen University by being an integral part of the course selection process. 

The purpose of advising is to guide students through course selections that will help them maximize the benefit of the program in terms of personal development, academic achievement and preparation for a career in a given discipline.

ACADEMIC MONITORING
The objective of academic monitoring is to provide advisors with an early notification regarding student absenteeism. Advisors are to contact those students on the absenteeism list to assess any problem areas, intervene as needed and redirect those students toward academic success.

The Academic Monitoring component has the following focus:
• receives attendance reports from faculty that identifies those students have missed classes;
• compiles the weekly attendance information from faculty; and
• generates a report of the  attendance irregularities to the advisors.

MATH AND WRITING LABS
The objective of the math and writing labs is to give students an opportunity to express themselves proficiently in writing and to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the rules and laws of mathematics.

The purpose is to provide students placed in the entry level math and language classes, as assessed by the COMPASS test scores, assistance with the attainment and development of the necessary math and language skills necessary to excel in the higher level college courses.

SERVICE LEARNING
The main objective of service learning is to provide students with experiential learning that links academic coursework and student volunteer service to the community.  It provides for collaboration between communities and student-faculty groups.

This embraces the University’s motto that proclaims “We Teach…. the Hands to Work, and the Heart to Love”.  The service learning experiences begin as part of the Freshmen Seminar.