The Academic Success Center is FRCC-Westminster’s New Student Hub

During the 2014-15 school year, the Academic Success Center tested the waters at Front Range Community College’s Westminster campus as a separate writing center and math lab. Students could make appointments or drop into these rooms for help on assignments from FRCC professors. When students responded positively to this development, Pandi Bromley, Academic Success Center Coordinator, developed the project further, combining the two centers, moving to the library and adding to the Center’s offerings.

“We partnered with the College Hill Library which is an exciting opportunity, because we’re realizing that the Academic Success Center represents all things academic oriented,” Bromley said. The Academic Success Center is now comprised of a math center, a writing center, tutoring services, study rooms, group study opportunities and group tutoring services, all located in the back corner of the library.

The Academic Success Center’s study rooms are one of the most popular features. Not only can students reserve study rooms for group work, but they can also have a professor in a study room give group lessons and tutoring. This is especially handy for small groups of students who need help preparing for an exam or clarifying information that was lost in class.

Jeff Wahl, the head librarian at College Hill, and Cynthia Keller, a research librarian, also offer their services to assist students with research assignments, which include finding and citing sources. “What’s convenient is that the writing center is in the library, so after students gather their sources, they can go to the writing center. It’s a one stop shop,” Bromley said.

The Center’s move to the library did not come without its issues. Even though it has established itself now, many students still do not know about the Center’s expansion or new location. However, according to Bromley, “I hear from students that they love being in the library because of the openness, and that it’s a great place to get their studying done because there are no interruptions.”

Bromley intends to continue developing the Center to entice more students into its services. Between new furniture and new programs, in a few semesters, the Academic Success Center will be the place on the Westminster Campus for student success.

“Students started realizing that [the Academic Success Center] really is a great place to work and get studying done,” Bromley said. “This is the new norm; it is an enculturation process. Students will get used to the Academic Success Center being the new hub of student support.”

Written by Kayla Klein

Photo by Kayla Klein