Victoria Hock '23
You may have noticed The Center for Student Success in Chamberlain, and wondered “What services are available to me here?” There are quite a few services. Sharon Mulligan, an Associate Director of The Center for Student Success, described the center as a “one door access” to a variety of resources “all designed to equip students for academic, personal, and professional success”.
The Writing Center, run by Professor Laurie Dashnau, is one of the first things you would notice entering the Center for Student Success. Professor Dashnau explained that the Writing Center is a service where “friendly, trained peer consultants — Molly Brizzell, Megan Brown, Tyler Hilgeman, Jake Lajza, and Elaine Starling Leeli — are available to meet in person (Chamberlain Center 107, part of the Center for Student Success) or virtually, for a maximum of 40 minutes per session, by Zoom.” These consultants are there to “provide encouragement”, as well as “ask questions, listen well, and provide advice and resources to help you identify areas for improvement”.
The Center for Student Success also offers peer tutoring, which Monica Lewis, a staff member who is new to the Center for Student Success this year, coordinates. Lewis explained that “Peer Tutoring through the Center for Student Success is encouraged when a student is still struggling with a course after attending group review sessions and meeting with their professor.” She also added that if a student thinks that they need a peer tutor, they can either fill out a Tutor Request Form online or get one from their office. Lewis also said that they “want all of our Highlanders to be successful and encourage you to get help before it’s too late.”
Another staff member who is new to the Center for Student Success this year is Rachel Wright (‘07), the new Director of the Office of Vocation and Calling. Wright is also an Associate Director for the Center for Student Success. Through the Office of Vocation and Calling, students have access to a variety of services designed to help with searching for internships and jobs, such as mock interviewing, professional network-building, resume and cover letter reviewing, and a lot more. Wright also highlighted a few upcoming events that will be hosted by the Office of Vocation and Calling, such an event on Wednesday October 13th from 3-5 PM, “What can I do with my major?” At this event, Wright explained that students will have “the chance to have a free professional headshot taken for LinkedIn” (this part of the event will take place from 4-5 PM). The Office of Vocation and Calling will also be hosting a Virtual Graduate School Fair on Thursday, October 14th from 2-6 PM, featuring “over 80 schools represented both in the US and overseas.”
Students can also find Counseling Services in the Center for Student Success, which has welcomed a new counselor this year, Carolyn Higgins. Dr. Bill Burrichter is the Director of Counseling Services, as well as the Executive Director of the Center for Student Success. He explained that “Counseling Services at Houghton College supports and empowers students to pursue emotional growth and wellness through meaningful therapeutic relationships, equipping students with personalized skills and resources designed to accelerate their God-given potential.” They provide “comprehensive support” for the “residential student population” at Houghton for issues such as relational and social stress, adjustment issues, acute mental illness, depression and anxiety. Burrichter also noted that since the Counseling Services Office is very busy currently, with the caseloads of counselors “being maxed out within the first few weeks”, for the first time ever they have needed to institute a wait list. However, he made sure to clarify that they “do not want this to keep students away”, mentioning as well that they have “brought Nancy Murphy, who retired from her counseling role at the end of last year, back in a part-time role to help carry the load.”
Burrichter also runs the Office of Military and Veteran Support Services at Houghton College, which is new. He explained that this was started because he “saw a need and value in having a more formally established and available support for this important student base.” While there currently isn’t a strong military and veteran student population at Houghton, Burrichter stated that “we want to be ready and welcoming as they come to campus.” While this is not yet a formal office, Burrichter hopes that it one day will be.
Also located in the Center for Student Success are the Academic Support and Accessibility Services. Here, students who need them can receive any necessary accommodations for their classes, such as digital materials (which are coordinated by LuAnne Brubaker). Students who need accommodations for exams (such as extended time) can also receive them here.
You can schedule an appointment with the Writing Center and the Office of Vocation and Calling through Handshake (all Houghton College Students have a free account). Mulligan also noted that there are first come, first served study spaces in The Center for Student Success that students can use during business hours.
If you need any services from the Center for Student Success, feel free to stop in. If you are unsure about who you should talk to or what office you should visit, Mulligan mentioned that you can talk to Hannah, who is the Area Coordinator and Diverse Student Success Coordinator for the Center for Student Success. ★
