S.L.A.M.S., the Student Leadership Academic Mentoring for Success organization, had an orientation last week to promote the program and to recruit new students.

S.L.A.M.S. is a program that reaches out to students to ensure their academic success.

It targets students who may be having problems in school and those who are undecided about their major. It is through collaborative learning and networking that S.L.A.M.S. hopes to help students decide their major, and to have students graduate from De Anza or to move on to a four year university.

The program has four main goals concerning students’ success. S.L.A.M.S. hopes to define students’ education/career goals, build a strong sense of community, help students successfully complete their education at De Anza, and to graduate and/or transfer from De Anza.

S.L.A.M.S. offers a wide range of services to students, among them, priority registration, academic advising, educational planning, mentoring, tutoring, workshops and tours, internships, and employment opportunities.

With all the many benefits S.L.A.M.S. offers, it has run into obstacles with the lack of facilities. Currently there are over 150 students. The room that S.L.A.M.S. is located in istoo small, according to program leaders.

Also, S.L.A.M.S. has not had the necessary computer access it needs. S.L.A.M.S. has recently voiced their needs to the DASB. They responded by funding a computer lab for the program with Internet access.

Another obstacle is the lack of full-time instructors. Rob Mieso, the director of S.L.A.M.S., is the only full time instructor. Students involved are given employment opportunities by the program. S.L.A.M.S. relies heavily on students to make the program successful.

Despite the obstacles, S.L.A.M.S. has been successful in its goals. Students, who entered the program undecided in their major, leave the program with a decided major. Also, seventy percent of the students involved with the program go on and transfer to four-year universities.

Anyone is welcome to join the program. In order to be involved, students shuld go to S33b and sign-up. From there, they will be phoned for an interview. For more information on S.L.A.M.S. call 408-864-8207.