Approximately 100 University of Michigan students, faculty, and community members gathered at the UM Science Learning Center on Wednesday afternoon to attend the center’s open house event. The open house celebrated SLC winning the 2024 Frank L. Christ Distinguished Learning Center Award. The award, presented by the International Association of University Learning Centers, recognizes institutions that have provided exemplary efforts to support student academics and promote development.
The event began with a time to socialize over refreshments, followed by keynote speeches from SLC Director Joe Salvatore, LSA Associate Dean for Undergraduate Education Tim McKay, and LSA Vice President for Undergraduate Education Angela Dillard. It was done.
In an interview with The Michigan Daily, Salvatore said winning the award is an honor and representative of the hard work of his staff. SLC employs eight full-time staff and approximately 400 students, ranging from desk staff to tutors.
“Receiving the Frank L. Christ Distinguished Learning Center of the Year Award is a very humbling honor for us,” said Salvatore. “It is an honor to be chosen among so many outstanding institutions and learning centers and speaks to the hard work of so many people (at SLC).”
SLC provides students with many resources to support their science courses, including tutoring and peer-led study groups. These academic support programs are part of the center’s larger mission to foster inclusive opportunities for growth for students, especially those from diverse backgrounds and those who face additional barriers to success. .
Rebecca Farash, a graduate student in environment and sustainability, told the Daily that SLC offers an accessible space with comprehensive resources such as study groups and printed materials.
“SLC provides access to students by offering study groups as well as GSI hours and study hours,” Farash said. “This space is available to all students, able-bodied and non-disabled. It provides a place to print and a safe and accessible study area.”
Salvatore said addressing equity gaps and providing access to resources to students who are commonly underrepresented in STEM fields and others who need targeted support is a priority for the center. I explained that it is.
“We are really committed to addressing some of the equity gaps that exist for STEM students and improving some of the graduation rates for minority students on campus,” Salvatore said. I did. “So while our programs and services are open to everyone, we want to strive to be part of the transformation to really help every student on this campus.”
Leila Chehab, a third-year engineering student who works as a desk staff member at SLC, said she feels the center deserves this award because of the resources it provides to students. Chehab also recalled how these resources were personally helpful to her in first grade.
“If I need to go get help with something, (SLC) is always the first place I recommend because, honestly, it helps,” Chehab said. “I remember using this tool as a supplement to Gen Chem when I was a freshman. I saw a huge difference in my grades and the way I studied.”
In his speech, Mr. Salvatore emphasized SLC’s commitment to continuing to grow and be a source of transformative knowledge and opportunity for students.
“We implement these programs and services, along with GSI office hours, workshops, and exam reviews, to support all students, while striving for diversity, equity, and inclusion. We are particularly focused on what we can do to contribute to campus efforts,” Salvatore said. “I look forward to working with you to continue these efforts to bring about real, transformative change for underrepresented students on campus.”
Daily staff reporter Tenzin Menrinetsang can be reached at tenzinm@umich.edu.
