The Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE) started in 1968 as the Horizon Unlimited program to provide services to underrepresented students at Florida State University. The Summer Enrichment Program was established a decade later to provide extra transition support for minority students enrolled at FSU. In 2000, several programs, including Horizons Unlimited, the Summer Enrichment Program, Multicultural Student Support Services, Minority Academic Program, College Achievement and Multicultural Student Affairs, were rolled into one – the Center for Academic Retention and Enhancement (CARE).

CARE now provides equity and access to traditionally underrepresented students disadvantaged by virtue of educational and socioeconomic reasons, working with both the Division of Student Affairs and Division of Undergraduate Studies. Its mission focuses on the successful retention and graduation of undergraduate students enrolled in the CARE program.

It also has a vision to motivate and prepare middle and high school students to pursue higher education. In particular, CARE recruits and supports first-generation college students for successful adaptation and academic success during their undergraduate program. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, first-generation students have a lower graduation rate than their peers with parents who earned a four-year college degree.

The FSU College of Social Work (FSU CSW) feels a particular affinity with the CARE program through their shared missions to advocate for and improve underrepresented or disadvantaged communities' lives. An FSU CSW graduate, Lisa Jackson, also serves as the CARE Senior Program Director, providing direct support to CARE students. 

In 2020, the College of Social Work also had the highest percentage of first-generation students university-wide, all the more significant as the Bachelor of Social Work program is a limited access program with a 3.0 GPA requirement. Along with the BSW Program and advising, CARE keeps connected with students throughout their program to ensure they feel encouraged and supported. “First-generation students can face a lot of obstacles unknown to them during their college experience,” Jackson explained. “Challenges for CARE students can range from housing and finances to a feeling of guilt, homesickness, and isolation. CARE creates a community of mutual support to keep students connected to fellow students and campus life.”

Julian Levy

BSW Student

 Now a senior in his social work program, undergraduate student Julian Levy credits CARE with helping him to settle into campus life. He participated in the Summer Bridge Program and recalled how it eased that transition. “It felt very easy building a sense of community with my CARE cohort and getting acclimated to campus,” reflected Julian on the bonds he formed. “CARE helped make my transition nearly seamless.”

Julian came to FSU from Coral Springs, Florida. A gap year after high school paired with self-doubt and hesitation to leave his family were just some of the challenges Julian faced when he started his undergraduate degree at FSU. With the support of his CARE community, Julian found his footing. “Gaining a newfound sense of independence when moving into my residence hall was extremely liberating,” he said, recalling how much he enjoyed the accessibility and ease of exploring campus.

As grateful as Julian felt about CARE's tangible resources, he highlighted the importance of the connections and bonds made through the program. He especially appreciated being surrounded by his CARE cohort of students with similar backgrounds to his, which boosted his confidence in his own abilities. “Ms. Lisa Jackson and Ms. Pam MacDill [retired BSW Program Director], both of whom I met through the Unconquered Scholars Program, also played instrumental roles in getting me where I am today,” said Julian.

Julian’s appreciation for a support system has also influenced his academic journey and ultimately influenced his decision to major in social work. “There have been many points in my life where the line between excellence and exigency was extremely thin,” he emphasized. “If it was not for others seeing the positive within me, my life could have gone in a much different trajectory. I have been blessed to know some amazing human beings in my life that had helped me immensely in times when I needed it desperately but didn’t know how to ask.”

With graduation approaching, Julian is already planning his next steps.  He hopes to work within the criminal justice system, a system that has directly impacted his family. “I have developed a passion for working with the prison population. I wish to work towards lowering rates of recidivism of Black men and women.” He also plans on continuing his education and will work towards his Master of Social Work degree.