Farmingdale State Offers Help For Those in Need

Dr. Lynn B. Elfe supervises Farmingdale’s Academic Student Achievement Program, or “ASAP.” Formerly known as “Farmingdale First,” the program pays special attention to students who are the first generation in their families to attend a four-year college; who are from low-income families; or who have disabilities.

“It’s all about the students, making sure that students who may not have had a whole lot of support, or who need extra attention one way or another, get it," said Elfe, director of TRiO Student Support Services at Farmingdale State. "We give them a place to gather, exchange information, share textbooks if they can’t afford their own; we take them to tutoring and the Library, and show them how to use it – whatever they need.” 

One key feature of the ASAP program is a two-week summer program where incoming freshmen live on the Farmingdale campus for 10 days, Monday through Friday, learning critical thinking skills and how to approach subjects such as Psychology or History, where reading the textbook is just the first step to doing the work that a college course requires.

“We call it the Summer Bridge,” said Elfe, “from being a high school senior to being a college freshman. When they come out, they will have a plan of attack for how to approach freshman year.”

While Farmingdale’s incoming freshmen may require the most attention, the ASAP office is also there to serve students from all four years who need assistance, Elfe said. This includes helping juniors and seniors with resumes and job-hunting, as well as students who transfer in to Farmingdale from other programs. 

“Through this U.S. Department of Education grant, Dr. Elfe and her staff provide an outstanding level of support for our students,” noted President Hubert Keen.  “ASAP students are among the most involved in our campus activities, including our elite RAMBASSADORS program.”

Dr. Elfe has a BS in Special Education and Elementary Education from the University of Hartford; a Master of Science in Elementary Education, with a focus in Reading, from Adelphi University in Garden City; and a Doctorate in Educational Administration, Leadership and Technology from Dowling College.  She can usually be found in the TRiO Student Support Services office, at Room 112 of Laffin Hall, where the staff of three works with the TRiO students.

The Bay Shore resident is also currently co-authoring a book for parents and educators entitled “Raising Scholars from Infancy to Adulthood: Demolishing the Prison Walls,” as well as two volumes of her own poetry and a children’s book.