Pioneer Center for Student Excellence

Grounded within current research and based on high-impact practices, the Pioneer Center for Student Excellence supports academic achievement, assists in the development of professional skills, and contributes to the holistic student experience.

The center is home to multiple programs and services that enhance the academic experience of all TWU students. Services include:

  • intensive graduate writing support programs
  • academic coaching
  • academic enhancement programming
  • internships
  • collaborative learning spaces
  • experiential learning


The center is located on the second floor of the Blagg-Huey Library on the Denton Campus, the tenth floor of the TWU Institute of Health Sciences - Houston Center, and provides services to students at the three TWU locations. For more information, please contact the Pioneer Center at 940-898-3755.

Academic Coaching

Academic coaching is a service provided for students who are seeking additional assistance with improving their academic skills, such as time management, test-taking, note-taking, general study skills, learning styles, and academic motivation. Together, the student and academic coach determine areas of needed assistance and work collaboratively to identify the student’s learning strengths that will best assist them with improving in the identified area. Coaching sessions are available in person as well as via the Internet.

Internships/Cooperative Education

Internships provide students with supervised learning situations in business, industry, government, or service enterprises. Employers select students for an internship on the basis of individual merit and qualifications. Several academic departments provide students the opportunity to participate in for-credit internships during their course of study. Non-credit internships are also available to students seeking practical work experience to supplement their coursework. More information is available in the Internships/Cooperative Education section of this catalog or at the Pioneer Center for Student Excellence.

TRiO Student Support Services

TWU students currently studying for their bachelor’s degrees may qualify for specialized academic and support services through TWU’s TRiO Student Support Services (SSS) Programs. TWU offers two programs funded by the U.S. Department of Education, TRiO SSS Classic and TRiO SSS STEM-H, dedicated to increasing the retention and graduation rates for low-income, first-generation, and/or students with documented disabilities.

Services offered:

  • Priority registration
  • Academic advising
  • Tutoring
  • Academic and skill enrichment workshops
  • Personal counseling
  • Academic advice and assistance
  • Career services and counseling
  • Cultural events
  • Activities in support of future graduate program enrollment
  • Additional services may be offered when requested by participants or when related to improving the persistence, retention, and graduation rates of program participants.

Eligibility:

Students must meet the following requirements to be considered for TRiO:

  • U.S. Citizen or meet the residency requirements for federal student financial assistance
  • Enrolled or accepted for enrollment in the next academic term at TWU
  • Need academic support, as determined by the program staff, to pursue or continue successfully in a bachelor’s degree program
  • One of the following: Low-income individual, first-generation college student, or individual with a disability

McNair Scholars Program

TWU students currently studying for their bachelor’s degrees may qualify for specialized academic and support services through TWU’s McNair Scholars Program. The program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and is dedicated to increasing Ph.D. enrollment and graduation for students who are low-income, first-generation, and/or from underrepresented segments of society. 

Services offered:

  • Priority registration
  • Career Exploration
  • Campus to graduate schools
  • Travel to research conferences
  • Up to $2,600 summer research stipend
  • Tutoring
  • Academic counseling
  • Academic and skill enrichment workshops
  • Writing graduate admission essays and graduate interview training
  • Financial planning/literacy for graduate programs
  • Exploring funding for graduate school workshops

Eligibility:

Students must meet the following requirements to be considered for McNair Scholars:

  • U.S. Citizen or meet the residency requirements for federal student financial assistance
  • Enrolled or accepted for enrollment in the next academic term at TWU
  • One of the following: low-income individual, first-generation college student, or considered racially/ethnically underrepresented in graduate school.