Learning Enhancement: Lifting Students Toward Success
There’s no doubt that Waubonsee’s Learning Enhancement division is the cornerstone of college readiness and student success at the college. Those in need of academic assistance, guidance or strategy training have a variety of options to consider: a developmental curriculum to boost skills in math, English and reading; a Personal Development sector, which includes student-empowering courses in leadership, study strategies and career exploration; and the Learning Enhancement Center, which hosts walk-in tutoring for most courses across all departments.
"Student success is the total focus of our division: to make them successful, whatever their academic goals may be." – Terri Samuelson, Dean for Learning Enhancement
According to Terri Samuelson, Dean for Learning Enhancement, "We truly have something for everyone." She says that some students prefer one-on-one academic instruction in the classroom, while others get more out of an open lab, workshop or seminar. Therefore, they’ve developed effective, challenging options for every student need. "We find that people generally learn better if they’re given individualized attention in a comfortable environment. It’s certainly true with our courses. Our seat capacities are lower than other courses, so we can really get to know each student and how they learn best."
The college’s under-100 level courses aim to improve basic skills in math, reading and English, giving students the confidence and ability to successfully tackle anything college throws at them. "When students leave our courses, they’re stronger, more capable to move onto the next level – whatever level that might be," Samuelson says. "We really help people become what they want to become, and a lot of it is just building confidence levels, showing them that they can do the things they once thought impossible. It’s more than math and reading skills. We deal with the whole person."
"One of the things people sometimes misinterpret about our division is that we’re only here for students who are weak in their skills, working below college level," Samuelson says. "That’s not always the case. We deal with a full spectrum of students." She points out that a large number who seek Learning Enhancement services are top students who simply want to get ahead. "We work with a lot of nursing students, for instance – bright, with solid study skills. When they enter that program, suddenly they have a lot more reading, testing. They’re outside their comfort zone and want to get focused, so they come to us." Another popular service provided by Learning Enhancement are its Learning Enhancement Centers, which provide walk-in tutoring as a flexible, accessible solution for those who need some academic assistance. And the best part: it’s free! All registered students at Waubonsee have open access to the school’s tutoring centers at the Sugar Grove, Aurora and Plano Campuses.
Though the Learning Enhancement division as it exists now has only been around since 1999, Samuelson says the growth has been phenomenal. "I’ve been here 28 years, and it’s so rewarding to see how much support we get from the college. Waubonsee has really allowed these services to grow, so more students can realize their full potential. Some students come in during their final semester and say, ‘Wow, I wish I had come here two years ago!’"
When asked why the division’s programs work so well for students, Samuelson noted that they have everything going for them. "There’s such a wide range of services, an immensely dedicated faculty and staff, and the highest level of support from the college. I think there’s been a lot of recognition that what we do really does help students succeed – and that’s coming at us from every direction now."
