History of the program

The Exploratory Program was started in 1986 by Dr. Ralph G. Anttonen. This was the first year that anything like this had been offered at Millersville University. Many people in the administration thought it was a good idea but were not ready to fund it and therefore the program had a very small budget. As time went on the program grew and added new subprograms, such as the Improve My performance (IMP) Program and the Freshman Housing and Seminar. Today, the Exploratory Program is bigger than ever but the trip has been long and rough.

The year 1986 (to view statistics for the program just click the year) was the height of the Cold War. That year saw the explosion of the Challenger space shuttle, the creation of FOX Television, and the introduction of Nintendo. It also saw the creation of the Exploratory Program at Millersville University. At the time the program was relatively small comprised of only 15 advisors and 137 students. In addition, the administration was not prepared to fund a program like this so there was no student help and no computers. Everything had to be done by hand. There wasn't even a secretary or real office for the program, just a room in one of the houses on campus. In the years to come however, this would change.

By 1994, the Internet Revolution was in full swing. The first internet commerce sites were launched, the first online bank was established, as well as the founding of Netscape and Yahoo! The year of 1994 was also an important one for the Exploratory Program. The Exploratory Program had now grown to include over 50 advisors and almost 300 students and a new subprogram, the IMP program. This program was designed to help struggling Exploratory Students get their grades up and keep them up. It focused on time management and study skills. The program was originally open to anyone who needed help but the program was so successful and the response so great that the program had to be limited to just those Exploratory Students who had a GPA below a 2.00. This year also saw the addition of a computer, secretary, and more student help but this was still limited and the program still did not have the full support of the university administration.

The Exploratory Program is now in its eighteenth year. This year has seen a tremendous growth in technology with the release of Play Station 2, XBox, and Gamecube and a change in major world politics with the terrorist attack on the World Trade Center and Pentagon. The Exploratory Program has also grown immensely. The program now includes more than 100 advisors and over 300 students. There is student help and a secretary available at all times. In addition, the Exploratory Program has embraced technology and is using it to improve the program. Some improvements include the web page you are viewing right now, a brochure explaining the program, and the addition of full multimedia presentations at orientation. The highlight of 2002 for the Exploratory Program was the introduction of the Freshman Housing and Seminar . This program was designed to assist students in the adjustment to college life and to help give them an idea of what would be expected of them from professors. However, the most significant event occurred in the fall of 2003 when the program was awarded the NACADA Certificate of Merit in recognition of “Outstanding Institutional Advising Program.”

The Exploratory Program has become one of the most successful programs at Millersville University. From its inception in 1986 to 2004 the Exploratory program has been helping students to choose a major and graduate from Millersville University. The road to success has been long and hard but the program has prevailed. The future of the Exploratory Program is bright. There are new ideas constantly being introduced and perhaps in a few years there may be something else to write about. As for now, the Exploratory Program will continue to grow and do what it has always done, help students.

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If you want to view the history of the Exploratory program click here.