PROSPER advising takes place through two Student Support Specialists: (Jason Gilpin) [Link name to contact info] and (Eva Shaw) [Link name to contact info]. They are the guides and mentors to students in PROSPER and will use their expertise to help students do what it takes to make their college experience a successful one.  All PROSPER participants will receive the following from the Student Support Specialists:

1. An INDIVIDUAL ACADEMIC PLAN (IAP):  The IAP focuses on each student's long term goal.  GateWay is one step in a series of steps that will lead our students to where they want to be.  The IAP helps students to define their purpose for being at GateWay.  The Student Support Specialist's job is to help make the plan concrete and to spot potential obstacles. If a student isn't exactly sure where he or she wants to go, the IAP will help that student explore options and make decisions.
   
   New participants must have an IAP within 45 days of admittance to the program. Returning participants must meet with a Student Support Specialist at least
   once each semester to confirm or update their IAP.
2. A SEMESTER EVALUATION: The Student Support Specialist will examine each PROSPER participant's semester to see how PROSPER and GateWay can help him or her be successful.  Advising sessions will steer students to resources that can help them with their immediate coursework.  The Student Support Specialist will also obtain progress reports from each participant's instructors in order to provide an early alert to problems in the classroom. 

Program participants may consult the Student Support Specialists for a variety of reasons:

Course Selection	Equipment & Textbook Checkout
Tutor Scheduling	Campus Visits
University Transfer	Assistance Career Exploration
Academic Mentoring	Financial Aid Assistance
Cultural Events	Personal Support

 PROSPER's Student Support Specialists have answers or will direct students to where the answers are.  They are the program participant's primary contact.