Welcome to the MC Supporter page for faculty and staff
Your understanding of the MC student experience—including the challenges of working third shift to fund their education—is essential to recognizing their dedication and resilience. By learning more about MC policies, procedures, and resources, you can celebrate their hard work and serve as a safe, supportive space for guidance. This site offers tools like Spotlight on Supporters, MC News and Updates, Ways to Support MC Students, Metro College 101, Get Connected, and FAQs to help you stay informed. Your encouragement and awareness make a meaningful difference in their academic and professional journey.
Faculty and Staff Supporter Spotlight
Faculty and Staff Supporter Spotlight §
Nominate Faculty and Staff Members who Support Metropolitan College Students!
Do you know a faculty or staff member who has been a big supporter for an MC participant? Now is the time to recognize their contributions! Click the nomination form for JCTC or UofL to nominate a faculty or staff member for the 2025 Faculty and Staff Supporter of the year Award! Nominations will be accepted through August 30, 2025.
MC News and Updates
MC News and Updates §
Identifying MC Participants You Serve
MC students may sign a Fall 2025 agreement up through the signing deadline of October 15, 2025.
UofL: MC students are tagged in CardSmart and list their assigned MC Student Success Counselor. Active MC students are updated each Fall and Spring semesters and will be added to CardSmart up through the signing deadline.
JCTC: Active MC students are identified in PeopleSoft student groups with group code {MCFA/MCSP}. These tags are updated each semester up to the signing deadline.
Join us for Faculty and Staff Appreciation!
We are excited to invite you to Metropolitan College's Faculty and Staff Appreciation and Inaugural Open House! This special day is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the incredible contributions of our valued faculty, staff, and supporters like you. Join us in celebrating your hard work and dedication. It's a week of gratitude, learning, and relaxation. Feel free to bring along fellow supporters. We can't wait to celebrate together!
UofL-September 18, 2025 11:30 A.M.-1:00 P.M.(BAB Room 206)
JCTC- September 24, 2025 11:30 A.M.-1:00 P.M.(Newberry Room)
Benefit Updates
Students must pass coursework with an eligible grade to receive the tuition benefit (A, B, C, C-, P, S). The student will assume financial responsibility for course work in which they receive a D, Withdrawal, Audit, Incomplete, No Grade, MP or Failing Grade.*
Supporting New and Returning MC Students
Supporting New and Returning MC Students §
Encourage Priority Registration Every Semester
To build a schedule that supports third shift student workers, MC students have access to Priority Registration at the University of Louisville. At Jefferson Community and Technical College, MC students are strongly encouraged to register in the first 45 days of registration.
For Spring 2026, please reach out to MC students during the month of September to plan courses so they are ready to register. MC Academic Advising Guide.
Practical Tips for MC Students to Feel Seen, Valued and Supported In Your Classroom
Syllabus Statement: Include a short, inclusive message in your syllabus. Example: If you are part of the Metropolitan College program and balancing third shift work or other responsibilities, I encourage you to communicate your needs early. While course policies are outlined in the syllabus, I’m happy to discuss available resources and strategies to help you stay on track and succeed in this class. Let’s work together to make this a positive and manageable learning experience.
Classroom Invitation: Invite students at the end of class to identify themselves as third shift workers by stating something like, “If you’re balancing third-shift work by participating in the Metropolitan College program, I invite you to connect with me after class or during office hours so I can learn how I can be most supportive of your unique college experience. I value the diverse experiences students bring to the classroom and want to ensure everyone feels supported in their learning journey."
Additional Strategies To Support MC Students:
Share information about evening or virtual tutoring, advising, and counseling services.
Highlight asynchronous learning opportunities when available.
Provide consistent deadlines and clear expectations to help students plan around work shifts.
Use learning management systems (e.g., Blackboard, Canvas) to post materials and updates in advance.
Avoid assumptions about availability or energy levels—third-shift students may be attending class after a full night of work.
Support Mental Wellness Resources and Sleep Hygiene
Supporting a college student who works third shift can be challenging, and your encouragement plays a vital role in their success. Metropolitan College students have access to a range of mental health resources, including campus services, additional support through UPS Employee Assistance Program (EAP) services and Resources for Living. Understanding these options can help you guide students toward the help they need. Visit the Mental Wellness Resources page to learn more about what’s available to your students.
Engage with Career Development
Faculty and Staff can learn about the career planning and professional development opportunities available to MC participants on the Career Development page of the MC website.
The MC CareerGuide Online Mentorship Program connects Metropolitan College students who are preparing to enter the workforce with professionals who offer feedback on career documents and support their professional development. Faculty and staff are invited to participate as mentors or recommend professionals in their network who work in relevant fields and may be interested in serving as mentors.
Metropolitan College 101
Metro College 101 §
As part of the Metropolitan College onboarding process, all new participants complete an online orientation called the Student Transition Program (STP) before signing their first MC agreement. These modules are now available to faculty and staff to help deepen your understanding of the MC student journey. By reviewing them, you’ll gain insight into key MC policies and discover essential resources that can enhance your ability to support students effectively—especially those navigating the demands of third-shift work and college life. Click here to view the STP modules.
Get Connected!
Get Connected! §
Supporting Metropolitan College students is a shared effort, and we’re here to help. Whether you have general questions, need clarity on MC policies, or want guidance on how to best support a student navigating third-shift work and college responsibilities, we welcome your outreach. Connecting with our team can help you feel more confident in your role and ensure students receive consistent, informed support across campus.
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Faculty and Staff Supporters Frequently Asked Questions
Faculty and Staff Supporters- Frequently Asked Questions §
As a faculty or staff member, your support plays a vital role in the success of Metropolitan College students. This FAQ is designed to address common questions you may have as you work with students who are participating in the Metropolitan College program. Your engagement helps students navigate the unique challenges of balancing third-shift work with their academic journey.
Click here for General FAQs about the Metropolitan College Program.
UPS does not adjust work schedules to accommodate academic responsibilities, including mid-terms or finals. Metropolitan College is an education benefit provided to eligible employees, and participation requires that students fulfill the responsibilities of their UPS position in order to maintain eligibility.
Just as faculty and staff are expected to manage their professional and personal commitments, students in the program are expected to plan ahead and manage their time responsibly. This includes preparing for exams, completing assignments, and balancing rest with work and study.
As faculty and staff, you can support Metropolitan College students by:
Encouraging early preparation for exams and assignments.
Sharing study strategies that work well for third-shift workers.
Promoting campus resources such as tutoring, academic coaching, and online materials that offer flexibility.
Your guidance and understanding can make a meaningful difference in helping these students succeed academically while meeting their work obligations.
Yes! Every student is assigned a MC Student Success Counselor by the first letter of the student's last name.
To identify a student’s assigned Metropolitan College Student Success Counselor (SSC), please refer to the Get Connected section. SSCs are equipped to connect students with the appropriate resources—whether on campus or at UPS—to help remove barriers and support their academic and professional success.
You may also encourage students to access their customized MC student portal by logging into their MyMC page using their date of birth and UPS employee ID (GEMS ID). Through the portal, students can view their assigned SSC and initiate contact for personalized support.
It’s not uncommon for Metropolitan College students to experience fatigue due to the demands of third-shift employment. While this can impact their academic and extracurricular performance, it’s important to reinforce that participation in MC is a benefit, students must meet both their employment and academic responsibilities to remain eligible.
Here’s how you can respond constructively:
Acknowledge the Challenge
Recognize the difficulty of balancing overnight work with daytime academics. A simple acknowledgment can go a long way in building trust and encouraging open communication.Encourage Personal Accountability
Remind the student that, like all members of the university community, they are expected to manage their commitments responsibly. Time management and proactive planning are essential skills for success in this program.Refer to Support Resources
Encourage the student to connect with their MC Student Success Counselor (SSC), who can help them explore strategies for managing fatigue, accessing academic support, and navigating available resources. They can find their SSC via the Get Connected section or by logging into their MyMC portal using their date of birth and GEMS ID.Share Flexible Academic Supports
Offer guidance on study strategies that accommodate third-shift schedules, such as:Recorded lectures or asynchronous materials
Online tutoring or writing support
Peer study groups that meet during non-traditional hours
Maintain Expectations
While empathy is key, it’s also important to maintain academic standards. Encourage the student to take ownership of their success and seek help early when challenges arise.
Yes, faculty and staff are encouraged to reach out with questions, concerns, or feedback about the Metropolitan College program.
For general inquiries or to be connected with the appropriate staff member, please refer to the Get Connected section of the Metropolitan College website. This section provides contact information and guidance for connecting with program staff, including Student Success Counselors (SSCs). and administrative personnel.
If you have more specific questions, feedback, or would like to discuss aspects of the Metropolitan College program in greater detail, you're welcome to contact the MC Director or Executive Director. They are available to provide clarity, address concerns, and engage in meaningful dialogue to support both faculty/staff and student success.
While the goal is to maintain a fairly consistent schedule, flexibility is sometimes necessary to meet operational demand.
Metropolitan College students, like all UPS employees, may occasionally experience longer or adjusted shifts due to factors such as:
Seasonal volume increases (e.g., holidays)
Natural disasters or global emergencies
Critical shipping needs, such as during the pandemic when MC students played a vital role in distributing vaccines and medical supplies
While the goal is to maintain a fairly consistent schedule, flexibility is sometimes necessary to meet operational demands. Your support and understanding are greatly appreciated as students navigate these changes while balancing their academic responsibilities.