Making it to Graduation: Expert Advice from College Professors (Taking on the Challenge)

Kay Lopate, Ph.D and Patsy Trand, Ph.D are faculty members at the University of Miami and Florida International University, respectively, where they both teach undergraduate and graduate students in the College of Education and Arts and Sciences. As faculty at their respective universities, they have about 30 years each as faculty and administrators in academic support programs such as the reading lab, athletic labs, and writing labs. They both taught in developmental education programs, First Year in College programs, the Honor’s College, and the English department. They have decades of experience helping students excel in college; and have a talent for helping freshmen, athletes, minorities, international students, and just good students succeed to graduation. They have a combined sixty years of experience in teaching reading, study skills, and learning skills. Their special interests include preparing all students to complete their college degree. While helping students who are just entering college, they also held numerous workshops and presentations for students in complex domains – medical school students, business school students, nursing school students, and graduate school students. Learning continues pass the undergraduate degree and sometimes “bad grades happen to good students.” And this too can be fixed! Both authors have authored eight books and workbooks on this subject with many more to come.