Students returned to campus this fall to find the Academic Skills Center with a new look, new services and a new name. The Academic Skills Center is now called the College Success Center (CSC). The name was changed to show students and staff that the CSC is a college-wide system and provides student academic services beyond peer tutoring. Along with its usual peer tutoring services, the CSC will soon offer tutorial computer programs in math, English, and reading. The math programs range from math 110 to math 52. The English programs are for all levels, and the reading programs are through the English 1A reading level.
The English programs are open to anyone at anytime, and the reading programs are open to any student currently enrolled in the reading courses. The math programs, however, have a limited number of licenses and are only available to 200 students per year. Students interested in using the math programs will need to reserve a spot at the front desk. Construction for the new look of the CSC began in the summer and finished mid-September. The facility includes new computers, new tutoring cubicles, and an accessible front desk to ensure students are immediately served. The CSC staff is still awaiting the arrival of more computers and bulletin boards. “These changes present a more professional atmosphere that is suitable for staff and students,” said CSC coordinator Jim Prager. A subcommittee of the college curriculum committee, led by Mathematics Professor Dr. John Thoo and the Dean of Student Development Dr. David Farrell, has been working vigorously for two years to plan and seek funding for the changes. Funds for the renovations were drawn from the Partner for Excellence fund, which only distributes a small amount of money each year. Departments must compete for allocations of those funds.
According to Prager, the committee led by Dr. Thoo and Dr. Farrell was very effective this year and managed to get the funding necessary for the new College Success Center.
The committee meets every two months to seek additional input from the faculty, but staff and students seem to be quite pleased with the changes thus far. “When I walked into the library this semester, I was amazed. The tutoring center looks awesome. I feel smarter just looking at it!” said student Helen Bowman Prager. “It really makes the tutoring center more inviting for those who walk by every day wondering if they should get a tutor for the math 50 class they failed last semester.”
“I’m really looking forward to the new computer programs,” added student Catherine Parks.
“This is a great facility and a great location to work,” said Jim Prager. “It also provides a great environment for student learning.”
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