Counseling & Career Services
Mount Vernon: 360.416.7654
Whidbey Island: 360.679.5319
San Juan Center: 360.378.3220
South Whidbey Center: 360.341.2324
Deciding on a career, choosing a major, selecting a college or university or finding resources to solve personal conflicts are examples of topics you can address in Counseling and Career Service. For employment options, Cardinal Connect, an online job board lists current work opportunities, and a computerized data center provides access to employer profiles. For help in career planning or planning a course of study, contact Counseling and Career Services at the phone numbers listed above, or e-mail the online advisor at www.skagit.edu/onlineadvisor.
For online career and employment services, visit www.skagit.edu/careerservices. Select specific services from the menu.
Planning Your Program
Determining your class placement is the first step toward student success. In order to determine the best classes for you, your writing, reading, and mathematics skills will be assessed. This will tell us the level of coursework for which you are prepared, as well as your readiness for entry into specific programs.
If you place into different courses based on different placement methods, Skagit Valley College will honor the highest of your course placements. Therefore, you want to make sure to review all your options. Go online at www.skagit.edu/placement to learn more information about each option.
Effective Fall Quarter 2016, all new students pursuing an Associate of Technical Arts degree are required to complete CSS 103 : First Quarter Experience during their first quarter. Students pursuing a transfer degree and who place into pre-college English courses are required in their first quarter to register for CSS 103 concurrently with an English course at the appropriate placement level. These courses will provide you with a solid foundation for academic success and ensure that you have the tools and support you need.
In the First Quarter Experience, you will develop an academic plan that outlines which courses you need to complete for your degree program. Ensuring that you have an appropriate plan to follow will help you to graduate in a timely manner and meet your goals. You are encouraged to schedule regular quarterly meetings with your advisor, before quarterly class registration, to help you decide on your classes and to update your degree plan. Prior to the advising appointment, you should study the class offerings listed in this catalog and in the quarterly schedule.
When you register at SVC, you will be assigned an advisor to help you choose classes and plan your quarterly class schedule. Your advisor will discuss academic and employment opportunities in your field of study and answer your questions. It is recommended that students meet with their advisor prior to registration each quarter. You will have the same advisor for your duration at SVC unless you request a change through the Counseling & Career Services or Enrollment Services offices.
Academic Transfer Services
Mount Vernon: 360.416.7654
Whidbey Island: 360.679.5319
San Juan Center: 360.378.3220
South Whidbey Center: 360.341.2324
Transfer services at each campus and center provide information and resources to assist you in choosing and planning your transfer to a four-year college or university. Quarterly college transfer fairs are held at the Mount Vernon and Whidbey Island campuses, which provide the opportunity for students to meet with admission counselors from many colleges and universities.
It is important to know what each college or university requires for admission. All schools want an application, official transcripts, application fees; the admission essay is becoming optional for many schools. It is highly recommended that you contact the university of your choice to learn about their application requirements. In addition, each academic major has prerequisite courses, and admission criteria for entrance. It is important for you to contact your desired school at our transfer admission fair or directly, to learn these requirements in order to meet them. Contact information is available from your adviser.
Each quarter admission essay writing workshops are held for students and led by a four-year admission counselor. At the workshop, tips for writing a successful essay are shared and reviewed. Four-year colleges often hold information sessions during the quarter which are publicized through the counseling and career center.
TRiO Student Support Services Program
Mount Vernon: 360.416.7636
Whidbey Island: 360.679.5351
TRIO Student Support Services is federally funded program, one of more than 900 similar programs nationwide. TRIO staff and peer tutors provide a broad range of academic support services to first generation and economically disadvantaged students and students with disabilities. Our purpose is to teach students how to navigate the college system, identify their educational goals and achieve academic success. The following services are free to eligible students:
- Tutoring
Our skilled student tutors provide one-on-one tutoring to help you excel in math, science, English and many other classes.
- College Success Skills Classes
Our instructors will help you learn the study strategies used by the most successful college students. These include effective test-taking strategies, memory enhancement, time management, note-taking, reading comprehension and use of technology. Students will develop individual academic plans.
- Academic Planning & Preparation for Transfer
Advisors will work with you to look at your strengths and weaknesses, interests and personal situation, and make a plan that is right for you. We can help you understand our programs and degrees, including the variety of university transfer options. You can also join us on university visitations.
- Personal Support
If you would like help dealing with the personal demands, stress and responsibilities of being a college student, our staff will take the time to listen to your concerns and can help you arrive at effective solutions. They can direct you to campus and community resources and opportunities for personal growth.
- Resources for Financing College
Financing one’s education is often a concern. Our counselors and instructors will help you understand the many resources available to you for financing your college attendance, including transferring to the university, and can provide assistance and advocacy within these systems. Additionally, they will provide an understanding of money management concepts so you are able to make informed decisions about your financial choices. Some additional funding may be available to TRIO students.
With the exception of the instructional components, similar services are available at the Whidbey Island Campus.
Tutoring
Mount Vernon: 360.416.7636
Whidbey Island: 360.679.5393
South Whidbey: 360.341.2324
San Juan: 360.378.3220
Drop-in tutoring is available free of charge if you would like to supplement your classroom instruction. Subject areas most often tutored include math and writing on both campuses, chemistry on the Whidbey Island Campus, and Academic English as a Second Language (AESL) on the Mount Vernon Campus. Tutoring in other subject areas may also be available at either campus, depending on demand.
Online tutoring is offered free of charge to students on all campuses in subjects including writing, math, sciences, and more. Students can access ‘eTutors’ from any computer with an internet connection. One-on-one tutoring is provided to eligible students through the TRIO Student Support Services Program on both the Whidbey Island and Mount Vernon campuses.
Veterans Education Services
Mount Vernon: 360.416.7610
Whidbey Island: 360.679.5389
Veterans Education Office staff at the Mount Vernon and Whidbey Island campuses are available to address the special financial, credit, or other concerns veterans may have.
Disability Access Services
Mount Vernon: 360.416.7654
Whidbey Island: 360.679.5351
San Juan Center: 360.378.3220
South Whidbey Center: 360.341.2324
Skagit Valley College offers a number of support services for students with disabilities to ensure access to programs and facilities. Each campus is organized to provide reasonable accommodations, including core services to qualified students with disabilities.
You are eligible for services if you have a physical, mental or sensory impairment that substantially limits one or more of your life activities; if you are perceived to have such impairment; if you have a record of such impairment or have an abnormal condition that is medically recognizable or diagnosable.
What services are available?
Services and accommodations will be determined on an individual basis. They may include, but are not limited to: accessible facilities, alternate educational media, alternate testing, manual and oral interpreters, note-taking, audio text, scribes, and specialized equipment.
What are your responsibilities?
- Identify yourself as a student with a qualified disability
- Provide documentation regarding your disability
- Request reasonable accommodations at SVC in a timely manner
- Meet and maintain academic standards.
Multicultural Student Services
Mount Vernon: 360.416.7838 and
360.416.6744. Services available in Spanish.
Whidbey Island: 360.679.5319
Multicultural Student Services assists traditionally under-represented students achieve academic success through counseling and programming activities. Our programs facilitate student success by fostering and sustaining an inclusive campus community. Our goal is to develop programs and resources that promote multicultural and social justice awareness, education and appreciation for diversity. We support a welcoming, safe and constructive environment for all students.
On the Mount Vernon Campus, the Multicultural Student Services department is located in the Gary Knutzen Cardinal Center within the Center for Student Leadership, Diversity and Involvement.
Multicultural Student Services offers:
- Monthly heritage events (i.e., Hispanic Heritage Month, American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, Women’s History Month, Black History Month, Asian and Pacific Islander, and many more).
- Support Services for Undocumented Students
- Leadership Development Opportunities
- American Indian/Alaska Native Community Gatherings
- Workshops and Diversity Conferences
- Champions of Diversity Scholarships
- Multicultural and Diversity Clubs
- Referrals to resources both on and off campus
- Mentoring Program.
Women’s Programs
Mount Vernon: 360.416.7616
SVC Women’s Programs promotes the intellectual, ethical, educational and personal development of women and men students and the people of our community. We are committed to promoting equity, dignity and respect for all cultural backgrounds. The Life Transitions Program provides personal assistance in entering college, exploring educational and career choices, and locating the resources to make changes in your life. We can provide you with referral and access to campus and community resources. Life Transitions Classes are free for people who are in transition and are need of support to find a direction. All services are available to women and men. For more information, contact the Life Transitions Program at 360.416.7762 or toll free 877-385-5360, ext. 7622.
International Programs
360.416.7734
Skagit Valley College has welcomed international students from all over the world since the late 1960s. Currently there are nearly 190 of these students studying at SVC, representing over 20 different countries. Understanding the unique needs of students studying abroad, the International Programs Office provides comprehensive support throughout the student’s tenure at SVC. This means that from the time international students apply, are picked up at the airport, and until their graduation, the International Programs Office is constantly supporting students in their new environment, helping them to succeed.
Please note that the International Programs Office is also the International Admissions Office where I-20s are issued and students are tracked according to policies set by SEVIS (Student & Exchange Visitor Information System) that have been created by the Department of Homeland Security.
Learning Resources
Technology for Your Use
Skagit Valley College has a continuing commitment to provide current technologies to assist you in the successful pursuit of your education. The SVC library has laptops for individual student use, general access and tutoring labs are equipped with student computers, and classrooms and study lounges have wireless access and multimedia units to support eLearning and educational networking. For added convenience to students, both Mount Vernon and Oak Harbor campus computer labs operate with extended hours while classes are in session.
Student Online Services (SOS) is available via phone, e-mail, chat and the walk-in window, as well as various online and face-to-face tutoring sessions. Help and training is available so you can successfully navigate Canvas, SVC’s online eLearning environment. Knowledgeable computer support is available in the multimedia production lab to help you with audio visual projects as well assistance with collaborative computer tools such as Tegrity, Collaborate, and Skype.
Library Services
Website http://library.skagit.edu
Email: mv.library@skagit.edu
Mount Vernon General Information: 360.416.7850
Reference Desk: 360.416.7847
Circulation Desk: 360.416.7837
Whidbey Island: 360.679.5322
The library is an essential part of educational life at SVC. Many classes require library research to complete assignments. Our library collection of more than 78,000print, e-books, and media titles is developed to support the different disciplines taught at SVC. The SVC library subscribes to multiple online databases, including Academic Search Premier and ProQuest Research Library, which index over 10,000 periodicals, ebooks, and newspapers. More than 5,000 of the indexed titles are full-text. Other databases provide access to reference books and articles in various disciplines such as health, science, social science, literature, and art. The library collection and online databases are accessible through the library’s website. A daily courier service between the campuses allows quick access to materials at either the Mount Vernon Campus or Whidbey Island Campus libraries.
The libraries offer:
- Individual reference help offered in person or by telephone. Online chat and e-mail reference help available on the library web site by clicking “Ask a Librarian.”
- Online Research Guides that provide library research assistance for specific courses and college initiatives.
- Research Instruction workshops taught by library faculty in the library or in the classroom.
- Conference rooms for group study with large screen monitors and computer equipment (Mount Vernon Campus only).
- Silent Study Room with study carrels
- Meeting room with large screen monitor and computer equipment (Mount Vernon Campus only)
- Desktop computers with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, and other program-specific software at the Mount Vernon and Whidbey Island campuses. (Mount Vernon also offers Apple computers).
- Laptop computers with Microsoft Office for library use only and for one-week checkout with wireless connectivity.
- Interlibrary loan services to enrolled students.
Library hours at Mount Vernon and Whidbey Island campuses are planned to accommodate both day and evening students. Please check the web site for current hours of operation. Learners are served on a 24-hour, seven-day basis through Internet access to the library collection and periodical databases.
Library services for students at South Whidbey, San Juan, and Marine Technology Centers are available via the library website. Materials may be requested online. They will be mailed to the appropriate center.
Childcare Assistance
Assistance for childcare expenses may be available. Contact Women’s Programs at 360.416-7616 or find forms and Information on the website, www.skagit.edu/womensprograms.
Housing - Mount Vernon Campus
360.416.7650
Campus View Village is the affordable and active on-campus student housing complex offered through the Skagit Valley College Foundation. Campus View Village is just steps away from the Mount Vernon campus, jogging trails, and sports fields. Students living in Campus View Village take six-or-more academic credits and live with three diverse roommates, while having a single bedroom all to themselves. Fun activities and a safe living/learning environment are just a few perks of living on-campus! Campus View Village is a popular living community among student-athletes, international students, and many others looking for affordable housing and the convenience of close proximity to campus. For more information about on-campus housing or to fill out an application, visit www.skagit.edu/cvv.
Food Services
A cafeteria on the Mount Vernon Campus is open every school day. The Culinary Arts and Hospitality Management students prepare meals, bringing quality and variety to the menu. Beverage and food service is also available in the Student Lounge at the Whidbey Island Campus.
Bookstores
Mount Vernon: 360.416.7728
Whidbey Island: 360.679.5313
The Cardinal Bookstore is located on the Mount Vernon and Whidbey Island Campuses, with support for San Juan Center and South Whidbey Center available at either store.
The bookstore stocks a wide variety of items, including course materials and textbooks - both new and used - as well as school supplies, uniforms, Skagit Valley College insignia items and clothing, backpacks, and art materials.
At the end of each quarter, the bookstore offers a textbook buy-back service. The bookstore web site www.cardinalbookstore.com can be used to purchase textbooks as well as to look up textbook information and pricing. In addition, the bookstore’s online textbook rental program is available through a link on the website. These services can also be accessed through the College’s online registration process.
Both bookstore locations remain open in the evenings on selected days during the first week of the quarter.
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