Learning Commons builds skills

Located in the Gerber Center, the new Learning Commons is designed for students to build skills in areas that are critical to success in college. Current services include workshops on topics such as study skills and time management, tutoring, disability accommodations, and assistance with reading, writing, English language use, information literacy and research.

Provost Pareena Lawrence describes the Learning Commons as "a resource center designed to support our students in their academic pursuits, and help them thrive in college and after graduation.

"Students come to Augustana from different backgrounds and experiences," she said. "As an institution committed to success for all students, we want to provide the support structure necessary for them to accomplish their goals, though this will require them also to work hard and plan well."

The Reading/Writing Center is now one feature of the Learning Commons. The four faculty members and multiple peer tutors of the Reading/Writing Center provide advice on multiple stages of writing a paper, instruction on reading comprehension, and guidance on writing personal statements for graduate school or job placement. Students usually call ahead, but sometimes just drop by.

New employees in the Learning Commons include Jacob Romaniello, English language learning specialist, and Yen Dao, coordinator of student success services.

While the majority of the Learning Commons services are in place, there are more to come. Future workshops will help students develop quantitative skills, and an "academic coach" can work in tandem with a student's academic advisor. Students who opt for academic coaching will meet with their coach every week to talk about priorities and time management and, using their new knowledge, can decide if they want coaching for only a short period of time, or throughout all four years of college.