Valiant Launch Program

Executive functioning skills are the complex mental processes that serve as “command and control” for human behavior. Our genes provide the roadmap for these skills, but they do not begin to develop until we start to engage with our environment. The most rapid timeframe of development is between ages 3-5, but we continue to develop these skills through early adulthood. These skills can be nurtured through training and practice. 

• Planning – Setting goals and working to accomplish tasks
• Time Management – Understanding how long a task will take and using time efficiently
• Working Memory – Storing information for the short time while we are using it
• Self-Control – Independently regulating our thoughts, actions, and emotions
• Perseverance – Ability to stay on task even when it becomes difficult
• Organization – Keeping materials neat, orderly, and accessible
• Task Initiation – Being able to start a task even when you do not want to 
• Metacognition – Being aware of what you already know and making use of it in new contexts 
• Attention – Being able to focus on a task or a person and also being able to shift focus when appropriate 
• Flexibility – Coping with new situations and being able to adapt to change
• Perspective-taking – The ability to understand another person’s thoughts and feelings, as well as understanding how one comes across in social settings 
• Situational awareness – “Reading the room” and understanding appropriate behavior based on context 
• Emotional responsiveness – Responding appropriately to another person’s emotions; and avoiding coming across as rude or disinterested 
• Initiation – Understanding how to start a conversation, how to ask for help, and how to advocate for oneself 
• Cognitive flexibility – Being open to other people’s ideas and taking direction from peers, professors and employers
• Using humor appropriately – Understanding when and how to use humor in social interactions 
   

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Manhattanville provides Orientation days over the summer for all incoming freshmen and transfer students to get better acquainted with college life. The Valiant Launch Program also offers a Pre-Orientation at the end of August. Residential students can move into their dorm rooms early, and both residential and commuter students can acquaint themselves with the campus and its resources, meet other students in small groups, make new friends, and start the transition to college. Specific information about dates and scheduled programming will be shared after students are committed to the program. There is no additional fee for this pre-orientation.   
 
The staff of the Center for Student Accessibility are available to support students as they navigate the transition from high school to college by providing frequent check-ins, assistance with problem solving, and help with connecting to various on-campus resources. 

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Learning Specialists are located in the Library. Back to top

Sessions with Learning Specialists will be in person. If a need arises for an online session, this will be determined by the Director of the Center for Student Accessibility and the Learning Specialist.   Back to top

The Office of Student Health and Counseling (SHAC) is a free and confidential resource for all full-time students. Counseling services provides brief, solution focused individual sessions as well as several group counseling sessions and workshops focused on different issues typical to university students. Counseling and Health services works like an urgent care; students who are not feeling well can schedule an appointment to see one of the Nurse Practitioners or Psychologists and receive care.   Back to top

This program focuses on executive function skill building and thus is designed to support students to reach their academic potential. Students work closely with their learning specialist to develop and practice skills related to task initiation, time management, organization, prioritization, assignment  chunking, and self-reflection. Learning specialists also support students in developing learning strategies tailored to their skills and needs. The Valiant Launch Program is not intended to be subject-based tutoring or simply homework help.

The Center for Student Accessibility (CSA), the Learning Specialists, the Writing Center, and the Academic Advisors from the Office of Academic Advising work together to support the academic experience of all Manhattanville students. Students connect with the staff in these offices to receive guided support throughout the semester. Students are encouraged to directly contact any of these offices whenever they have concerns or experience difficulties. 

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It can be difficult for incoming students to make new friends, but students are connected to opportunities to meet other students who may share similar interests. Group study halls offer the opportunity for students to focus on academic support and social skill development with a “built-in” social support network. Students enrolled in the Valiant Launch Plus Program will additionally have access to a weekly lunch group, bi-weekly support group, and two outings a semester that will help develop social connections. Back to top

Living with a stranger in close quarters for the first time in one’s life can be a difficult experience. Some students cope better than others. The Valiant Launch Plus offers students access to a biweekly support group where they can navigate these issues. This program will also provide initial supports in the form of weekly touch-base meetings with CSA staff.Back to top

The program is not subject-based; however, some Learning Specialists may have a deeper well of knowledge in a certain subject. Students are encouraged to use NetTutor, Manhattanville’s online academic tutoring program accessible through the learning management system, Brightspace, and to utilize the Andrew Bodenrader Center for Academic Writing and Composition. Both programs are free and available to all Manhattanville students. Back to top

Learning Specialists are part-time staff who have a background in special education and teaching. They are available on campus only when they are scheduled to meet with their students. Their schedule will change each semester based on the courseloads of their students. Back to top

All professors offer office hours and the opportunity for students to schedule a meeting in person and virtually. Students are encouraged to contact their professors with any issues or concerns. CSA staff and Learning Specialists can assist students with crafting an email to a professor if/when needed or desired. Back to top

Although none of the supports provided to The Valiant Launch Program students are mandatory, we strongly recommend that students meet with their Learning Specialists for all scheduled sessions. Since this is a paid program, students are charged whether they attend or not. While we recognize that schedules get busy and sometimes it may be necessary to cancel a session, we encourage students to communicate with their Learning Specialists to reschedule missed appointments within a week’s time. We genuinely believe that the more the student engages with the program, the more they will get out of it. Even if a student does not think they have any current assignments, they should still meet with their Learning Specialist to work on other executive function activities like planning and organizing upcoming assignments. All students enrolled in this program will be required to sign an agreement form acknowledging the expectations of their participation.Back to top

1:1 support is provided for first year students in this program, and we recommend all students take advantage of these meetings, especially in their first semester, as they will help guide the student on a path to greater independence. 1:1 sessions offer the student an individualized approach to the development of skills needed for reaching personal goals.Back to top

Although a full-time student status (12 to 15 credits) might seem very busy, classes don’t meet every day, so students will learn to identify pockets of time for scheduling various activities. The Learning Specialists will work with students to better understand their daily schedule and to find the time needed to complete assignments and attend important appointments. An ongoing goal of the Learning Specialist is to help students become responsible adults who are committed to planning their schedules, attending classes, completing assignments, and communicating their needs to others. Back to top

We recommend that all students work closely with their academic advisor to set up a manageable schedule based on the students’ unique strengths and areas of difficulty.  Back to top

Because of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, student confidentiality is very strictly maintained at Manhattanville. Your student will have to provide written consent for Manhattanville staff and faculty to be able to provide parents and guardians with information about the student experience. Parents will not have direct contact with Learning Specialists, but they are always welcome to contact the Director of the Center for Student Accessibility regarding questions about the program.   Back to top

The Center for Student Accessibility (CSA) is the office that manages all student accommodations, whether they are academic or residential. If there is a need to adjust academic accommodations or put residential accommodations into place, students should contact the CSA. Back to top

While applicants enroll as degree-seeking students and are eligible for financial aid at the University, the Valiant Launch Program requires a separate fee that is not supported through financial aid packages. Back to top

The bill will be shared with the student accounts department each semester. This will show as a charge on the tuition bill. Any questions regarding payment or payment plans should be directed to OneStop at OneStop@Mville.edu. Back to top