Learning Support Center

The change from a home to a college environment presents many challenges, academic, social and personal. Different styles of learning and different achievement levels may require help and support. That is what the Support Center is designed to do. It is a program for student success in a time of great growth and challenge.

At the Learning Support Center, we provide a safe and supportive learning environment for students of all levels of college preparation.

The Support Center offers tutoring, mentoring, and other support for individual students or groups. We host a weekly Talking Circle and pot-luck meal where students come together to share their thoughts and feelings about the week in a safe, healing and confidential environment

With the collaboration of the college, we jointly support the First Year Program, which provides developmental and college-level instruction in English and mathematics so necessary to success.

The purpose of the Learning Support Center (LSC) is to support student learning and success. It is a place where students can rest, study and seek assistance from the Learning Support Center’s faculty and staff. The LSC includes comfortable living room couches and chairs, a kitchen and a table where students can share a meal and/or study. It also houses the Learning Lab, which provides Learning Specialists in English and Math to tutor students. Faculty who teach Essential Studies courses in English, Math and Science work with students in offices located in LSC. Most First Year Academic Advisors are located at LSC.

Mission

The mission of the Learning Support Center (LSC) is to provide a welcoming place and provide services to support the whole student (intellectual, emotional,spiritual, physical).

Guiding Statement

The LSC is dedicated to providing a nourishing place for the services that strengthen our students’ ability to flourish and succeed.

Philosophy

We believe learners thrive in a safe and nurturing environment. We are committed to creating and sustaining an intentional space that fosters community and provides networks of academic and personal support.

Goals

• To provide the tools and knowledge students need to succeed.
• To serve as a model for other colleges in how to use evidence-based practices to retain and support the whole student
• To lead IAIA’s student retention effort

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• Utilize and sustain an intentional space that is safe and supportive
• Develop a network of support within the LSC and across campus
• Apply tools and techniques acquired in LSC programs in appropriate academic and personal contexts

Services

• Support for students’ transition to college
• Placement and testing services
• Academic advising for first-year students
• Supplemental academic instruction via tutoring and computer-based, self-paced learning
• Peer Mentoring
• Leadership development training and practice
• A comfortable, safe physical space that provides a cozy kitchen/living room environment
• Retention data to serve campus-wide retention efforts
• Support for students at midterm and finals
• Intervention for at-risk students each semester
• Assessment modeling and mentoring

LSC Staff