New Student Success Center in Reeves Library Centralizes Services
By Lucy Krejci, ’20
The Student Success Center (SSC) officially opened its doors in the Reeves Library on Sept. 12 to jumpstart the next phase in centralizing academic student support services.
Dr. Ingrid Ilinca, Associate Dean of Student Success, and Angela Grogan, Director of Library Services, have worked hard to create an administrative structure and designated space to best promote student success.
The Center brings together critical Westminster programs including the Tomnitz Family Learning Opportunity Center (LOC), the Center for Career Development, the First Year Experience Program (FYE), the Transfer Experience Program (TEP), the WCares Program (WCP) and International Student Services (ISS).
Detailed descriptions of support services available at the SSC can be found on pages 28-30 in the 2019-2020 Academic Catalogue, found here.
“Our center emerged from our own realities and needs,” says Ilinca. “For instance, we did not separate academic resources (tutoring, advising) from experiential learning (internships) or career coaching, as we truly see them work in synergy. The current structure also allows for future development, as the space at the library lends itself to the addition of new services and offices.”
By bringing together student resources in the Reeves Library, the center allows the staff to effectively support the students in being successful in the classroom and at Westminster.
At this phase, students can find assistance with any of the following: academic advising, tutoring, resume writing, securing an internship, career planning, time management, study skills, deciding on a major, course schedule, graduation, professional and co-curricular interests, etc., in the Reeves Library.
The Tomnitz Family Opportunity Center remains in the same location, in Westminster Hall, but all the other services and programs are now located at the library.
The SSC is also available as a space for studying, reading or exploring career-related resources.
Michelle Craighead, Mandy Plybon, and Meg Langland occupy three of the offices in Reeves Library and are available through appointment.
Dr. Kali Wright-Smith (for the FYE), Neil Hunt (for TEP), Ilinca, as well as peer assistants, hold regular office hours in the Student Success Center, also known as LIB/SSC 204B. The scheduled office times will be posted in front of the circulation desk.
