May 14, 2024  
2023-2024 Student Handbook 
    
2023-2024 Student Handbook

Student Affairs


Academic Success Program

Sometimes the study skills that bring a person to an academic setting may not be the same skills that keep him or her there. For instance, if a student enters AHU and was an “A” student before, those same study habits and routines may not work as well in a new setting. If students would like to be proactive in their success at the University, they can make an appointment to work with the Director of Student Academic Support Services, who can help create a customized, individual study plan to help the student achieve the success he or she envisions. For additional information, please contact Student Academic Support Services at 407-584-5115 (call or text) or Rebecca.Amenta@ahu.edu or click here to schedule an appointment via ConexED.

Club and Organizations

AdventHealth University clubs and organizations have been established to help students prepare for success in their futures careers. Below is a list of the clubs and organizations currently active on campus. 

All prospective campus clubs must make application for approval before they are allowed to function on any AdventHealth University campus. Campus clubs must complete a new application and list of student leaders every Fall term to be considered active. Campus club requirements and requisite forms to make application are located online at https://my.ahu.edu/university-services/student-services/clubs-and-organizations, or may be obtained at the Office of Student Services. Campus clubs must have strong healthcare components, tying them closely to the professional medical programs offered at AHU. As a private institution, the administration of AdventHealth University reserves the right to deny the organization or function of any club whose goals, objectives, or activities are or would be counter to the mission and beliefs of AHU. For additional questions regarding clubs and organizations, please contact the Director of Community and Student Engagement, Kendra Presley-Van Houten, at Kendra.Presley-VanHouten@ahu.edu.

 

HBS Staff Support: Erlin Lugo (Student Success for HBS programs)

 

Pre-PA Society

Organization Name: Pre-Physician Assistant Society

Faculty Leader: Bryan Lounsberry

Meetings: Meets every first and third Wednesday from 12:15pm to 12:55pm

Description: The Pre-PA Society aims to provide prospective PA students with guidance and resources to prepare them for applying to PA programs. We provide access to PA admissions departments, meetings with working PAs and PA students, guidance for preparing graduate applications, and volunteering and shadowing opportunities.

 

Biomedical Sciences Society

Organization Name: Health and Biomedical Sciences Club

Faculty Leader: Bryan Lounsberry

Meetings: Every 2nd Wednesday from 12:15pm to 12:55pm

Description: The HBS Club exists to bring HBS students together and provide information and guidance relevant to students as they consider their desired graduate programs. It also provides an opportunity to get together, organize as a department, and socialize with one another. Our hope is that bonds formed now at AHU through organizations like the HBS Club will result in good relations among practitioners in different disciplines in the future.

 

Pre-Med Club

Club Name: Pre-Health Club

Faculty/Staff Leader: Diana Ventura

Meetings: Meet once a month.

Description: The Pre-Health Club (or PHC) provides its members with the skills and opportunities to enhance their academic, networking, and clinical skills in pursuit of a health-related profession, especially for students interested in Medicine, Dentistry, Veterinary Science, Optometry, and Pharmacy. Members will receive help in preparing for College Admission Tests (CAT), including MCAT, DAT, and GREs. In addition, multiple guest-lecturers will help students become more aware of the different types of healthcare schools availability and how you can prepare.  Members will also learn how charity and community services are essential in becoming a professional. 

 

Student Nursing Association

Faculty Leader: Angelina Graham

NB 210

(407) 303-7893

 

SOTA (Student Occupational Therapy Association)

Faculty Leader: Kim Dudzinski

GB 336

(407) 303-9180

Counseling

Sometimes we are presented with challenges that are difficult to face alone. It helps to have a safe and non-judgmental space to talk things out. Counseling can offer emotional support, new perspectives, and help in acquiring the necessary skills and resources to both succeed in the University environment and pursue productive and satisfying lives. Some reasons to see a counselor may include academic, career direction/concerns, self-esteem issues, relationship issues, grief and loss, family, stress management, anger management, and physical, sexual, or substance abuse. Counseling is confidential, free to all students, and offered by a licensed counselor. Appointments are offered in person or on Zoom. For appointments, please contact Betty Varghese at 407-303-1870 or email Betty.Varghese@ahu.edu. You can also make an appointment by clicking here.

Disability Services

The faculty and staff of AdventHealth University are dedicated to an equitable and exemplary education for all of its students. They believe that equal education is not limited to a physically accessible campus for its students. It also strives to provide necessary accommodations to those students with disabilities. Students with disabilities who succeed at AHU demonstrate self-reliance and are able to advocate for their needs and anticipate challenges in a new environment, as well as address those needs well in advance.

Once you have been accepted to the University you can register with the Office for Students with Disabilities (OSD), To be eligible for disability-related services, students must have a documented disability as defined by the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Section 504, and/or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (ADA). A person with a disability is an individual with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities.

Accommodations are decided on a case-by-case basis, using the documentation submitted. All accommodation requests may not be granted. Programs will not be fundamentally altered to accommodate a student.

If a student requests accommodation, the student must provide the OSD the requested current, official documentation related to his or her disability along with the Voluntary Declaration of Disability Form. That documentation will be used to determine the type and extent of accommodation that is most reasonable and effective for that student. The review process typically can take up to 10-15 business days. In particularly busy times, such as the start of a new trimester, this process may take longer. You will be notified by email once documentation has been reviewed.

If criteria have been met and accommodations are granted, the student must submit a Trimester Accommodation Request Form. The student’s instructors will be notified of the student’s needs once the student has completed the Release of Information Form. The instructor will receive an Academic Accommodation letter explaining the accommodations necessary for that student.

For each subsequent trimester, it is the student’s responsibility to complete the Trimester Accommodations Request Form and submit it to the OSD. It may take seven or more business days to notify instructors. Forms should be submitted 2 weeks prior to the beginning of the trimester. This recommendation will ensure timely implementation of accommodations, but accommodation requests will be accepted throughout the trimester.

At any time, students may request in writing to discontinue any information-sharing related to their disability. Students may request to discontinue their accommodations at any time. Questions or concerns should be brought to the attention of the OSD.

Please note that school plans, such as an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plans, are not sufficient documentation to establish the rationale for accommodations in a university setting. Original documents are not necessary, a copy or fax of the material is sufficient. If documentation is incomplete or otherwise inadequate to determine the disability and/or reasonable accommodations, the OSD will require additional documentation. Documentation costs are to be paid by the student.

If you would like ODS to be able to discuss your disability or accommodations with persons or agencies outside of AHU (including your parents if you are over the age of 18), you must complete a Release of Information Form.

Denied accommodation requests may be appealed in writing by a student to the Senior VP for Student Affairs & Health and Biomedical Sciences. Such appeals must be filed within ten calendar days of the receipt of the denial of accommodation request.

For more information regarding Academic Accommodations, please contact Betty Varghese at 407-303-1870 or Betty.Varghese@ahu.edu.

Student Activities

The Office of Mission provides a variety of opportunities designed to enhance students’ social and relational experiences throughout the year. AHU student activities include Welcome Days, Spring Picnic, ‘Blender’ events, Fall Festival, and more. The dates of these events are published in the student planner, communicated using your AHU student email and/or text message and posted on Instagram @ahuministries. Students interested in hosting or volunteering for an event should contact the Office of Mission at 407-303-9383.

Student Planner

Student Planners are available (while supplies last) free of charge at the Office of Student Services, located on the first floor of the Campus Center.

Service-Learning Requirements

Service-Learning is required of all students at AdventHealth University.  Service-Learning combines academic subject matter within a given  discipline with service to the community or for a specific population. Guided reflection is a key component of Service-Learning; students will integrate their service experience(s) with classroom knowledge to enhance the learning process. Service-Learning projects contain learning objectives and measures and are credit-bearing (graded).

For questions or concerns about Service-Learning requirements, please contact Kendra Presley-Van Houten, Director of Community and Student Engagement, at 407-303-6986 or Kendra.Presley-VanHouten@ahu.edu.

Testing

The University Testing Center is part of Student Academic Support Services and is located on the 2nd floor of the Campus Center Building.  For more information, please visit https://www.ahu.edu/university-testing-center.

ACCUPLACER CollegeBoard Placement tests for both math and English are designed to help a student succeed academically by placing a student in an appropriate math or English level course. Students must schedule by emailing Deena Weiss, University Testing Center Coordinator, at Deena.Weiss@ahu.edu . Please note that placement exams can only be taken once.

The Test of Essential Academic Skills (TEAS) is an admission application requirement for the Nursing program. The TEAS measures basic essential skills in the areas of Reading, Mathematics, Science, and English and Language usage. Students may register and schedule at www.atitesting.com ; the exam is offered on computer. If a student is applying to get into a professional program, it is the responsibility of the student to take note of professional program deadlines and take the TEAS in adequate time.

College-Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests are examinations that are computerized, comprehensive assessments that demonstrate college-level achievement in specific content areas. By achieving a passing American Council on Education (ACE) score of 50 or higher, students will receive college credit for the equivalent AdventHealth University course. A list of available tests that are offered can be found at https://clep.collegeboard.org/school-policy-search#.  Study Guides can be found at https://clep.collegeboard.org/. Please note that CLEP exams cannot be repeated, if failed.

Office for Students with Disabilities Testing for students who have accommodations on file with the AHU Office for Students with Disabilities may take extended time course tests in a distraction free environment in our testing center.

Tutoring

AdventHealth University values the importance of helping students succeed in their courses. Tutoring provides the necessary tools, knowledge, and encouragement to help empower students. Free group and individual tutoring sessions are available. Appointments are required.  

University Tutoring Center (UTC)

The University Tutoring Center at AdventHealth University (AHU) provides academic support through tutoring.  Tutors help students understand subject concept and material through Q&A, concept reviews, and test preparation.  This service is free and available to all AHU students.  Sessions are available in-person and online by scheduling an appointment here. If you have any questions, you can text the UTC at (407) 584-1880 or call (407) 303-8575.

Nursing Tutoring Center

The Nursing Tutoring Center consists of professional and peer tutors that are specifically trained to deliver tutoring services for the nursing courses offered at AHU.  Services include individual tutoring, small group tutoring, large group tutoring, and additional study skill sessions.  Tutors act as support for the nursing faculty to provide additional review of topics and practice with test-taking on material taught in class.  To sign up for nursing tutoring sessions, visit Nursing Tutor Space or contact Nicole Dusetzina, Nursing Tutoring Coordinator, at 407-303-6922 or Nicole.Dusetzina@ahu.edu.