Student Support Services

Student Support Services is dedicated to helping Ave students become Ave graduates! We offer a wide variety of support programs, services, and activities in the Canizaro Library. These services include:

• Advising for undeclared students
• Academic counseling to help each student perform to the best of their academic ability
• Academic planning and determining progress towards graduation
• One on one and group tutoring
• Assistance with papers
• Early Warning System to identify struggling students
• Support for freshman and transfer students as they transition to coursework at AMU
• Time management assistance and help to create individualized study plans
• Study skills workshops and seminars
• Adaptive Resources, available for students with documented disabilities

Schedule An Appointment

By contacting Student Support Services
Email: supportservices@avemaria.edu
Telephone: (239) 304-7823
Location: Canizaro Library

On this page, you will find several forms used by the Office of Academic Records in our efforts to assist you as quickly and efficiently as possible.  If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at (239) 280-2565 or by email at amuregistrar@avemaria.edu .

Forms for Registration

Course Withdrawal Form:  For use when you wish to withdraw from a course after the last day to Drop but before or on the last day to withdraw without penalty.  (Please review the academic calendar for the specific dates)

Directed Independent Study Form:  This form must be completed, signed by all required parties, and submitted to the Office of Academic Records no later than the last day to Add courses.

Transient Student Form/External Coursework Approval Form:  For use by matriculated students only seeking permission to take courses at other institutions and apply that credit to their Ave Maria University program of study.

Overload Form: Form is used by students to request an overload of more than 18 credits for one semester.

Request for Audit Form: This form is used to request auditing a class.

Forms for Changes to Student Information/Status

Declaration of Major/Minor:  Students are asked to complete and submit this form during their Sophomore year.  This form may also be used to indicate a double major, minor, or multiple minors.  If you have already declared one major and wish to add a double major, please simply add as “second major” on this form.

Change of Address Form:  This form must be completed and submitted within 10 days of a student’s move to ensure proper record maintenance.

Change of Name Form: This form is completed by those with an official name change who can provide official documentation of their name.

Enrollment Verification: This form is used to request a letter verifying a student’s enrollment at the university for the current or past semester(s), graduation information, etc.

Application to Graduate Forms

Graduation is not automatic!

You must complete the appropriate Application to Graduate form in order to be included in graduation ceremonies and for successful processing of your degree and reception of your diploma. Failure to do so within the time communicated to you by the university will delay processing.

Upon receipt of the Application to Graduate, the Office of Academic Records will complete a Degree Audit.  If any discrepancies are noted, you will be contacted via your Ave Maria email.

Application to Receive a Bachelor of Arts/Science Degree

Application to Receive a Master of Arts Degree

Application to Receive a Doctor of Philosophy

Miscellaneous Forms

FERPA Release Form:  Under the terms of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, students at Ave Maria University are able to restrict certain elements of their academic records.  Please complete this form if you have not already done so and submit it to the Registrar as soon as possible.

In-School Deferment Request Form: This form is to be filled out completely, including any Lender information, and submitted to the Registrar for certification.

Direct Lending Deferment Request Form: This form is to be filled out completely and submitted to the Registrar for certification for those students participating in Direct Lending.

For forms involving full institutional semester withdrawal and medical withdrawal/drop form, contact amuregistrar@avemaria.edu or call (239) 280-2565.

Alexander Crawford, Ph.D., Director of Student Support is a 2012 graduate of Ave Maria University. His office is always open to students seeking assistance, support, or simply a long chat over tea (Earl Grey, preferably). He oversees Student Support Advising and Tutoring but can be lured away to play pick up baseball on the greens outside the Library. In addition to his role as Director of Student Support, he teaches Western Civilization & Culture I and II and is the Director of the Sophomore Success program. Dr. Crawford completed his MLitt and PhD in Medieval History at the University of Aberdeen in 2014 and 2019, respectively. His scholarly research examines socio-political interactions and connections between noble groups in 12th and 13th Century Scotland and England. He lives in Ave Maria with his wife, Coach Crawford, and their three children: Eleanor, Alastair, and Penelope.

Savohn Hunt, Academic Advisor is a Graduate of Ave Maria University Class of 2020! He earned his degree in Exercise Physiology. Savohn was also a member of the Ave Maria University football team, where he served as a team captain for 2 years one of which was the Gyrene’s Championship season. During his football career he was named an NAIA All-American, NAIA All-Star , and First Team All-Conference. Savohn joined the Student Support Services staff in August of 2020 and works with the Student-Athletes at Ave Maria. So far since he has joined the staff the Gyrene athletic teams have posted consecutive GPA terms: the first time in AMU history!

Charles Mickens, Ave Maria graduate from the class of 2021! Earned a degree in Psychology. Charles was also a member of the 2018 Ave Maria Football Championship team, where he earned Academic All-Conference honors from 2018-2021. Charles joined student support services in November of 2021, where he works with the students to achieve academic success. Charles is a football coach where he is the Back seven assistant. He also coordinates tutoring services.

Jenifer LeCompte, M.A., Manager of Adaptive Services, providing accommodations to students with documented disabilities. Born and raised in Levittown, Pennsylvania, Jenifer has lived in Naples, Florida for the last 10 years. She graduated from Kutztown University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education and Special Education, and then earned a Master’s Degree in Education Administration from Gwynedd Mercy University. Jenifer spent over 20 years in Special Education classrooms in Pennsylvania and Florida. She now feels blessed to come to Ave Maria and works to level the playing field so that every student has an equal opportunity to succeed academically.