Success Center boosts education

Students can be seen at all hours of the day filing into the Student Success Center at the Northwest-Shoals Community College, Phil Campbell campus, to study, attend workshops and meet university recruiters.

“The center is one of our campus’ newest additions and an effort to affect the largest base of students possible,” said Trent Randolph, NW-SCC public information officer.

The center had its “soft opening” last year, according to student success coach Sarah Wright, who began her position last May under the guidance of Lindsey Oliver, recruiting manager and coordinator of student development.

“We started one at the Muscle Shoals campus then brought it to Phil Campbell as a way to focus on retention and help the students, whether they want to graduate with an associate’s degree or transfer to a university,” Oliver said.

One way they reach out to their students is with workshops offered through the center. Wright said they have several designed to help students with school- and life-related topics, such as financial literacy, time management and an orientation workshop to help them learn about the school and how to best utilize everything available to them.

“The workshops have helped me so much, especially the one on study tools, where we learned about time management and how to prioritize things,” student Brooklyn Bolton said.

Oliver described the center as a “one stop shop,” where students can come to receive school assistance and also have a place to relax and have someone to talk to, whether it’s a school-related topic or not.

Student Thomas Bean described it as a safe place where he can be himself.

“The center has helped me gain confidence and pushed me to pursue my educational goals. I’m at a place in life that I wouldn’t have reached without the center,” Bean said.

According to students, one reason the center is so impactful is because of Wright and her connection with the students and dedication to them.

“I don’t know where I would be without her. She helps me with my schedule, my projects, everything,” student Wyatt Behel said.

Wright said she tries to work proactively with the students so they don’t become at-risk and fall into a hard spot when it comes to their education.

“We really want to help the students in any way we can because studies show that the more connected they are, the more likely they are to remain in school,” Wright said.

One way Oliver said they try to further the students’ education is by having university recruiters come to the school and arranging trips to tour universities.

“There was a University of North Alabama recruiter here recently, and we had 30 students apply in just that one day,” Wright said.

The Success Center is a diverse part of the school, according to Randolph. He said the school hosts College Bowl practices there, and Bolton said ambassador and student government meetings and events are held at the center, as well.

Oliver and Wright also work with distance and online students through the center’s resources.