Student services consolidate to help ensure success
Check out The Learning HUB
By Gabryelle Breski
Knightly News Reporter
gabryelle.breski@mymail.centralpenn.edu
The Learning Center is now The Learning HUB.
The HUB is in Bollinger 59 and is open daily. The new name comes from the combination last fall of The Center for Student Success and Advising, and The Learning Center, which occurred in a restructuring of student services.
The reorganized study area has computers and tables set for meetings with professors and student tutors at listed times or for a quiet place to get some work done.
“I think that it took the strong foundation of the Learning Center that Megan Kaiser created and really the biggest element that we added was the idea of having faculty in here,” Associate Vice President of Student Engagement Adrienne Thoman said.
Students can also speak in The HUB with their faculty advisers for scheduling classes.
Thoman emails a weekly schedule to students of which professors are scheduled at which times during the week in The HUB. Her office is in The Learning HUB.
“It expanded what we could provide,” she said, explaining the reorganization of student services in last fall.
Besides the student services available, The HUB also will be holding workshops.
On Feb. 2, for example, during common hour, students could get their professional portrait photographs taken for free.
The Federal Resume Workshop is scheduled for Feb. 28 between 12:10 and 1 p.m. This event will be conducted by Vincent DeMedici II, a four-time Central Penn graduate who has held and hired for federal positions. Contact Career Services to register.
In-house and online support
The HUB is not restricted to the four walls of Bollinger 59. Tutoring is available online from 5 to 7 p.m. Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays; 4 to 6 p.m. Fridays; and 1 to 3 p.m. Sundays. A QR code is available on the schedule sent by email.
Student tutors are also available. If interested, go to The Learning HUB page on Central Penn’s website. Under the heading “Tutors in the Learning HUB,” find the page where you can schedule a time and tutor by the half hour.
The same page offers resources for technology, writing, math and study skills on the right-hand side.
At the bottom of the page, students can submit a review and rate their tutoring experience.
Student success coaches are still here!
Another student service that has changed is the addition of three student success coaches focused on specific groups of students and their needs.
They are:
1. Megan Kaiser – director of veteran and athletic support
2. Elijah Tinson – director of PACT/FYE programming
3. Judith Karas – director of accommodations and ADA services
Romeo Azondekon, vice president of student services, related an example of Sir Will’s Place, which began as a student idea of bringing a fast-food chain, like Wendy’s, to campus. A few years later, after thinking of ways to implement a 24-hour food service for students who live on campus, or have evening classes, Sir Will’s Place was set up on the ground-floor student lounge in the ATEC building.
Azondekon stated that he understands change is hard and “not always popular,” but he said he wants to ensure that student voices are being heard.
He is available for any questions, as is Thoman. You can reach them at romeoazondekon@centralpenn.edu and adriennethoman@centralpenn.edu.
Breski is president of The Knightly News Media Club @ Central Penn College.
Comment or story idea? Contact KnightlyEditors@CentralPenn.Edu. Edited by media-club co-adviser and blog editor Professor Michael Lear-Olimpi.
