Â鶹ÊÓƵ's SOLAR (Support, Opportunity, Love, Access, and Resources) defines a campus culture of care designed to organize services and opportunities that ensure you have the resources you need to succeed during your academic journey and beyond.
Email SOLAR@alvernia.edu or contact Director of Social Services Melissa Terwilliger at melissa.terwilliger@alvernia.edu. A list of frequently asked questions can be found on this page.
SOLAR stands for Support, Opportunity, Love, Access, and Resources. It is a campus-wide initiative focused on organizing opportunities and services to ensure the success and persistence of every Â鶹ÊÓƵ student.
SOLAR is not a physical office. It is a campus culture that brings together various student support services under one vision. Its purpose is to ensure that all students can easily access the resources they need for academic and personal success.
The Office of Social Services will promote the culture of care through the implementation of case management by connecting students to community-based services and campus supports, help oversee the distribution of Hope Fund resources, ensure that community resources remain accurate and relevant and will collect data to determine ways to improve support to students and retention rates. The inaugural Director of Social Services Melissa Terwilliger will lead the work of the Office of Social Services.
This is a holistic approach where the case manager works to support the student by connecting students to resources on and off campus while collaborating with university staff and community services to monitor progress. The case manager will coach the student to become more independent while advocating for the student. The purpose of case management is to ensure that barriers are broken to provide more opportunities to achieve academic success.
Several initiatives have already begun under SOLAR, including the Career Closet (providing professional attire for students), the Winter Coat Drive, and Commuter Lunches to support students in need of essential items and social connections. There are also several well-established programs such as Clare’s Cupboard (food pantry), Navigation Office (Navigators provide individualized support to guide, motivate, and inspire students towards personal and academic success) and Academic Success Center (tutoring and mentoring) that are being pulled together as part of the resource network.
SOLAR addresses the barriers that students may face in their academic journey, such as financial, personal, and academic challenges. By organizing comprehensive support services in areas like mental health, career readiness, and basic needs assistance, SOLAR helps students stay on track, persist, and graduate.
SOLAR directly aligns with Alvernia’s Franciscan mission of service, community care, and holistic education. It reflects our commitment to supporting the whole student—mind, body, and spirit—by providing resources that help students thrive academically and personally.
SOLAR’s success will be measured by increased student engagement, higher retention rates, and positive student outcomes. Regular updates on the program’s progress will be shared through email newsletters, the Alvernia website, and campus communications.
All Alvernia students, including undergraduates, graduate students, and adult learners, can benefit from SOLAR services. Whether you need help with academics, financial aid, career guidance, or personal well-being, SOLAR ensures that a support system is available for you.
Students request Hope Fund support by emailing SOLAR@alvernia.edu with their request. Your request will be reviewed by a team of SOLAR leaders a representative will follow up with you to gather additional details.
Yes, most of the services under the SOLAR initiative, such as access to Clare’s Cupboard, academic advising, and mental health support, are free for students. Additional resources, such as career counseling, financial planning, and tutoring, are also available at no extra cost.
You can visit the SOLAR page on the Â鶹ÊÓƵ website, check digital displays around campus, or speak with faculty and staff who are leading the areas of SOLAR network. Keep an eye on email announcements and social media posts for updates on new services and opportunities.
You can support SOLAR by learning about your role in it and staying informed about the available services. Faculty, staff, partners and the extended community should work collaboratively to ensure students can seamlessly access resources. Participation in training and programming such as workshops, mentoring, and community-building activities will also help foster a culture of care on campus.
Â鶹ÊÓƵ faculty and staff can alert campus SOLAR leaders of a student's emergency aid need by emailing SOLAR@alvernia.edu with their request. The request will be reviewed by a team of SOLAR leaders and a representative will follow up with you to gather additional details.
Faculty and staff are key to ensuring the success of SOLAR. They are encouraged to help connect students to resources and services, support the culture of care through mentoring and guidance, and collaborate in SOLAR events that promote student well-being and academic success.
Yes! Faculty, staff, students, and even alumni are welcome to volunteer. You can contribute to initiatives such as Clare’s Cupboard, mentorship programs, or SOLAR events. Contact the SOLAR team or the appropriate campus office for more details on how to get involved.
There are many ways to financially support SOLAR. Alvernia's Hope Fund assists all students and families in financial need and provides Alvernia with the flexibility and resources necessary to address student hardships as they arise. In addition, two pillars of Alvernia's Partners in Progress Campaign are Access and Opportunity and Student Success. To find out how to support SOLAR, please reach out to Vice President for Institutional Advancement Thomas C. Minick at 610-790-2862 or thomas.minick@alvernia.edu, or Associate Vice President for Institutional Advancement Meggan Kerber at 610-796-8327 or meggan.kerber@alvernia.edu.
