Built for success
Where do our students go to identify and find academic support on their pathway to success? It is the place where they can find experts in coping
with learning — and life — obstacles to graduation, in a new, inviting space with familiar, welcoming faces.
The Mandia Family Learning Commons is the newest and coolest
space for MVCC students on the Utica Campus. Located in the Information
Technology Building, the Commons is a multi-functional, collaborative learning space for
students to be with each other, with faculty, and with staff to help them advance on
their path to success.
As it was in the former Learning Center, the heart of the
Commons is the staff who inhabit the new fresh and inspiring space. With
full-time professional tutoring in the Math Lab and Writing Lab, the Commons is
a tremendous resource for students. Additional tutoring is available in most
any discipline or program we offer, and students now have the added benefit of
customized space to work with their tutors at computers, if necessary. Open
computers are available for students who need to work individually or
collaboratively with others.
And the Commons has much more — because of the people
who are there to help.
Four full-time faculty members have relocated their
offices within the new space. Representing the disciplines of Reading, Math,
English, and Physics, the faculty housed in the Commons are "all in"
for student success. They are joined by three Completion Coaches from our
Pathway to Graduation Project to help students with issues both in and out of
the classroom. For the more complex issues, students can go to a Case Manager
from the C3 (College-Community-Connection) Program who can leverage a robust
network of community resources related to food, health, housing,
transportation, child care, and other barriers that arise to threaten the success
of students.
And that's not all! Students and faculty also will benefit
from the talents of a librarian and instructional design professional who can
provide tremendous resources and guidance to all. While students will draw on
the "in-house" librarian talents, faculty can utilize the
instructional design resources as they use the "iTeach" lab to
explore new technologies and teaching methodologies, and hone their craft for
the benefit of students.
While we wait for the last few pieces of furniture to
arrive, the positive energy and excitement surrounding the Mandia Family Learning
Commons will continue right through and beyond our ribbon-cutting, which is
scheduled for Thursday, November 17, at 1:30 p.m.
If you have any questions or comments about this post,
please contact me directly at presblog@mvcc.edu.
