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RISE Program

Welcome to RISE! We are so happy to welcome you to SLU and to our community. RISE aims to embody the Saint Louis University mantra of cura personalis or “caring for the whole person.”

In joining RISE, students gain another valuable set of resources to help them with their success at Saint Louis University. Students will engage with a community of peers with similar backgrounds and lived experiences who will help to champion them along their journeys. 

A student wearing a SLU sweatshirt stands in front of a SLU banner while holding up a picture frame that says First Generation at SLU and Proud to be a first-generation Billiken
 

We do this by helping students to:

  • Reflect: Students will use reflective practices in their learning to make decisions that positively impact themselves and the community.
  • Ignite: Students will utilize their integrity and knowledge to inspire cura personalis within themselves and others.
  • Succeed: Students will receive and take advantage of support opportunities to help them academically and socially succeed.
  • Engage: Students will participate, reflect upon, and engage in events and opportunities to aid their development within their college experience and their sense of belonging.
    We are focused on meeting students where they are and serving as passengers in their journeys at Saint Louis University. We aim to help them navigate the world of higher education; to help them work through challenges; and to help them celebrate their successes — big and small. 

RISE supports students who meet at least two of the following criteria:

  • First-generation college student: A student is considered first-generation if neither parent has graduated with a four-year degree.
  • A Federal Pell Grant recipient: If you have received a Pell Grant, it would be included in your financial aid package from SLU.
  • Is registered with SLU’s Center for Accessibility and Disability Resources office (CADR)
  • Identifies as a member of a racially/ethnically minoritized population

How to Join RISE

Eligible students must complete a brief Google form to participate in the program. Students are admitted on a rolling basis until the program is full. Once the program is full, students can still complete the form and be placed on the waitlist. Students on the waitlist will still be invited to participate in events and workshops but may not have access to the full range of RISE resources. 

Complete the RISE Form

Our Services

Each RISE student is assigned a RISE counselor to help them navigate the University and figure out the best plan for them. The benefit of having a counselor in RISE and your academic program, is that each RISE counselor serves fewer students, allowing them to spend more time with you in each appointment and see you more frequently during the year.

You can learn more about some of our services and resources through our Resources page. 

FAQ About RISE

Is there a deadline to join RISE?

No. We allow students to join RISE on a rolling basis until we are full. Once we are full, interested students can still be placed on our waitlist. While on the waitlist, students can participate in RISE events and workshops, but they will not have a RISE counselor or have access to the full suite of resources.

Do I need to re-apply for the program every year?

No. Once in RISE, you can remain in the program until graduation. We ask students to complete a participant agreement each year as part of their active engagement in the program. This will give students a chance to think through resources that may be helpful and to create goals for themselves.

Students who do not complete the participant agreement or engage with the program may be removed from RISE. 

How do I make an appointment with a RISE Counselor?

The best way to schedule an appointment is through EAB Navigate, but students can also schedule an appointment by emailing their RISE counselor or stopping by one of our offices to schedule in person.

 

I’m a parent or support person. Can you tell me about my student’s grades and courses?

The answer to this will depend on what type of FERPA access your student has granted you (FERPA stands for the Federal Education Rights Protection Act). If your student has not granted you any FERPA access, then we cannot discuss your student’s academic record with you. We strongly urge you to have these discussions with your student before having them with us. We are happy to help as much as possible, but we must comply with the law.

Learn More About FERPA and SLU