Student Success Center opens

An anonymous donation from a member of the Class of 1989 and her husband in January led to the creation of a Student Success Center that is now open for all students at LSMSA.

“The purpose of the Student Success Center is to provide another study space for the students, another quiet space where they can get their work done,” said Ro Myers, assistant director of academic services.

Myers conducted a survey in the spring asking students what they wanted to be available in the new space.

“They talked a lot about supplies, they talked about a quiet space where they can work during the day,” said Myers. “That is what we want to provide them. We will have faculty members do office hours in there. Occasionally, we will have special workshops and sessions.”

Students also asked for charging stations so they can plug up, and that is available to them.

“All of the tables and chairs are moveable, so if they wanted to have a big group session or do a workshop, they can,” she said.

Textbooks will be available for checkout if a student does not want to drag his or her books across campus. Chrome books will also be available.

“This is Dr. Kristi Key’s brainchild,” said Myers. “Ultimately, we want to be able to have a staff here helping students.”

At the time of the donation, Key said that by drawing from a collegiate model and utilizing the most current best practices in this field, LSMSA will be able to offer its students a more holistic academic support experience in their time on campus with the addition of a Student Success Center.

The $20,000 gift seeded the infrastructure needed to get the Student Success Center on its feet with initial furniture, technology and supplies investments.