SSA 2026

The Summer Success Academy is a proven model for enhancing student success. The Academy is a 5 week program that promotes student success and improvement. Students who have completed it here and at other colleges improve their GPA, do better academically, report greater confidence, and a better college experience. Many make strong friends in the program, and some go on to become paid peer success coaches.

The Summer Success Academy model works. Students who have completed it here and at other colleges:

• boost their GPA with an IC course (if you transfer in credits they don’t count in your GPA);
• earn missing credits;
• gain confidence and report having a better college experience;
• make friends who contribute to their success during the school year; and
• sometimes go on to become peer success coaches themselves.

The cost to the student is only $1407 (for 3 credit class) OR $1876 (for 4 credit class), a steeply discounted tuition for their actual course credits. In order to receive this discount, students must agree to the program commitments. If they do not fulfil the commitments of the program they may be charged the full price of the program. Invitation letters, sent via email, provide full details of the cost breakdown. 

Students participating in the Summer Success Academy: 

• earn 3 or 4 credits by completing an ICC quantitative literacy or academic writing requirement for graduation;
• earn credits that will be calculated into their GPA by taking the course at IC instead of transferring it in;
• pay only $1407 (3 credit) or $1876 (4 credit) tuition, which is 33% less than IC’s already-discounted summer tuition;
• complete a seminar to learn success strategies for use inside and outside the classroom;
• live on campus with free housing and meals during Summer Session 1 (May 31-July 2);
• receive personalized success and career coaching, including help looking for a campus job if desired;
• participate in social programs and excursions exclusively for Academy members;
• get academic support in my credit-bearing course; and
• participate in evening activities and study hours.

Student participants must agree to:

1. Attend every credit-bearing course class meeting unless physically ill (there are only 5 weeks of in-person class);
2. Attend every success seminar meeting unless physically ill (again there are only 5 weeks of class);
3. Live in and abide by the citizenship rules of the residence hall from May 31-July 2;
4. Participate in evening activities and study hours;
5. Attend all small group and private success and career coaching sessions;
6. Participate in all three weekend activities, and agree to remain in Ithaca;
7. Not permit summer employment to interfere with academic performance.

Students and supporters are encouraged to reach out to the program director, Allison Davis, to learn more about the program. 

Email: adavis7@ithaca.edu

Phone: 607-274-5816

Schedule a zoom or in-person meeting

All student participants must take either WRTG 10600 - Academic Writing (4 credits meeting the Academic Writing requirement) or COMP 110000 - Computers and Info Tech (3 credits meeting the qualitative literacy requirement)

In addition to taking one of these for-credit courses, all students participating in the Summer Success Academy receive guidance through a success seminar and career coaching. 

Students who are interested in participating in the Summer Success Academy must schedule a meeting with the program director to agree to the commitments in the program. There are only 25 spots available for students, so you are encouraged to inquire about the program as soon as possible and by March 27th. 

Schedule a meeting to learn more or to sign-up.