Academic Success Center moves to Provost's Office
The Academic Success Center's unique role at Purdue in teaching learning strategies and fostering academic support is being recognized with a broader mission. Effective July 1, the Academic Success Center became part of the Provost’s Office, reporting to Dale Whittaker, vice provost for undergraduate academic affairs.
Kathy Kroll, ASC director, says, "This move opens additional opportunities for partnership. We will maintain our unique focus on academics in the classroom. At the same time, we will team with programs in SATS and Horizons to improve the freshman-year experience. This will result in a more holistic approach to improving student success and retention." SATS is the University's Student Access, Transition and Success Programs.
The ASC can be found at Beering Hall, Room 3268, until it moves into its new home, the Center for Student Excellence and Leadership (CSEL) at its target completion date of fall 2013. CSEL is designed to facilitate and enhance student life, both social and academic.
"The close proximity to SATS and other student support offices will facilitate this collaboration," Kroll says. "Also, satellite tutoring offices for math, writing lab and science will complement the walk-in support that the ASC offers. Increased centralization and visibility for students, staff and faculty encourages greater access and usage of services."
The Academic Success Center, formerly the Learning Center, was founded by Earl Notestine, professor emeritus, and Helen Bass Williams, first African-American professor at Purdue, in 1972 in the School of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education, part of which is now the College of Liberal Arts.
"Purdue's liberal arts leadership has long recognized the importance of an academic support program, available to all Purdue students," Kroll says. "The ASC is grateful for CLA's past and current support during this time of transition.
"Collaboration is not a new function. The ASC has teamed on many special projects and teaching assignments with various colleges and departments."
Examples include a class for engineering students on probation, workshops and assessment support for education students, and invitations by faculty and staff to deliver classroom lectures for technology, science, management and health and kinesiology students, among others. The ASC also has teamed with the Center for Instructional Excellence to present workshops on best teaching practices.
The ASC's General Studies credit-bearing classes in learning strategies, vocabulary and reading speed demonstrate higher GPAs and increased retention for participants versus nonparticipants. Continuing lecturers are available to walk-in students 9 a.m.-noon and 1:30-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday in Beering Hall, Room 3268. The service is free and no appointment is necessary. In addition, the ASC's Academic Success Workshops are available 4:30-5:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Further information can be found at www.purdue.edu/asc.
