Academic Initiatives for Mentoring Student  University Transition Opportunities Program
UTOP

The UTOP Experience

The UTOP program began in 1986 to facilitate the underrepresented student's transition from high school to college. By involving incoming UNC-Charlotte freshmen in a rigorous five-week summer collegiate experience, UTOP builds upon the scholastic abilities of the students through college courses and contact with University academic support services. Click here to view 2008 Invite Letter

Academic advising and monitoring continue throughout the student's career at UNC-Charlotte.  

. 

The Learning Community
UTOP is also a Learning Community (LC).  Students who participated in the UTOP summer experience are eligible to participate.
Click here to learn more.

How UTOP Works 
Participants enroll in three courses from the standard University curriculum - two English courses (freshmen composition and supplemental English) and a  freshmen seminar course that is chemistry, math, or arts, social science or humanities based. Upon completion of the program, UTOP students receive seven credit hours toward graduation. UTOP participants will also receive non-academic credit towards the UNC-Charlotte's P.I.L.O.T. program.

UTOP uses the University's support services, primarily the University Center for Academic Excellence and the Writing Resources Center to supplement the standard curriculum. The University Center for Academic Excellence academic counselors work individually and with groups of UTOP students four times a week. Areas of instruction include:

• Computer assisted instruction

• Exam strategies 

• Learning, study skills assessment

• Note-taking/textbook reading

• Personality inventories

• Time management tips

The Writing Resources Center assigns each student an individual tutor, who meets with the student twice weekly to discuss writing skills. The WRC teaches:

Research strategies and tips

Writing and revising methods

Editing, proofreading techniques                                               

How To Become A Participant
An invitation letter is sent to incoming freshmen or you can read it online. The letter provides an overview of UTOP and program cost. If you are interested in applying, please click on the FORMS, select the UTOP Application and UTOP Participant Agreement, fill in your information  and submit.

UTOP Assessment
UTOP's staff is committed to providing quality academic support services to underrepresented students at UNC-Charlotte. To ensure we are meeting our goals we track the progress of program participants from enrollment in the program until graduation and seven years beyond graduation.

From July 1996, through December 2000, 353 students have participated in UTOP.  Out of 353 students, 197 graduated from UNC-Charlotte and 10 graduated from other institutions. Since UTOP's beginning, over fifty-two percent of our participants have earned degrees.

UTOP Alumni Speak

"That college is about having self-control and motivation to succeed."  

-Monica Alexander, (UTOP 2005)

"UTOP prepared me for what to expect in my coming years of college. UTOP also helped me form bonds that will be with me forever.

-Alexandra Gordon (UTOP 2005)

"To be part of UTOP is to be a part of an advancement:  early friendships, early classes, tutorial assistance and just simple college advice; a most wonderful way to begin college on the right track, with loving and caring individuals always there to support, comfort, and lend a helping hand!"  

-Amanda Younger, (UTOP 2000)