The idea of creating a unified space on Drexel University's campus to house and connect most academic learning centers and services had been under discussion before the COVID-19 pandemic. Of course, things changed and had to be put on hold — and the need for that kind of unified approach became even more crucial once the University reopened. At the same time, Drexel's new 10-year strategic plan — which was implemented in January 2020 and also adjusted accordingly — had designated student retention as a University priority.
The new Academic Resource Center (ARC) opened last term to benefit both of those initiatives. Located in the Korman Center (15 S. 33rd St. in the Korman Family Quad on the University City Campus), the ARC will be a welcoming and inclusive place where students can find support among their peers and easily connect with peer educators, professional staff, academic coaches and faculty who can help guide them through their academic journey.
“We're hoping that the ARC will help students become comfortable asking for assistance and seeking out resources because they are confident that there are people at the ARC to listen and help,” said Rebecca Weidensaul, PhD, who is leading the ARC. “We want it to be easier for students to have a clear understanding of the resources that are available. For example, once the Center for Learning and Academic Success Services, or CLASS, is in residence, students will save time accessing adjacent tutoring services that may be part of their academic coaching plan developed by the professional and peer academic coaches and learning specialists at CLASS.”
As assistant vice president of Student Life in Enrollment Management and Student Success, Weidensaul already led several of the services that moved to the ARC, and previously oversaw the unification of academic and support services for student-athletes as a leader in Drexel Athletics. She has been a longtime advocate for a learning commons model on campus for Drexel's decentralized services that run parallel to each other and intersect to support students.
Click here to read the full story.
Skip past news feed