The UHP Academic Skills Specialist located at the UIC College of Medicine in Rockford site coordinates the Urban Health Program activities in Rockford through an Academic Skills Office. The office is staffed five days per week by a professional Academic Skills Specialist and supported by a part-time secretary. The Academic Skills Specialist directs the Medical Student Academic Support Program which provides individual academic skills assessments, study skills resources and group programs to any students or residents who are interested in enhancing their success. The Academic Skills Specialist assists students with career planning, time management, academic support, development of test-taking skills, identification of mentors, and cultural competence programming for UIC-COMR UHP students and academically at-risk UIC-COMR students. In addition, the Academic Skills Specialist coordinates many student social events, helps advise student organizations, and plans UHP M-2 orientation. Textbooks, review books, study guides and other resources may be borrowed from the office. A computer and LCD projector are available for student use. UIC-COMR UHP also hires Teaching Assistants who work with the M2 class. Additionally, the Academic Skills Specialist coordinates outreach efforts with local high schools and higher education institutions in Rockford. The UHP-Rockford Team is led by Angela Schmidt, PhD. Dr. Kantayya is the advisor and mentor for the UHP program in Rockford. He also runs the Underserved Pathways Program which focuses on teaching students how to serve underserved populations.

For more information about UIC-COMR UHP, contact: