DAYTONA BEACH COLLEGE

HISTORY OF THE ACADEMIC SUPPORT CENTER
(Formerly the Learning Center)

DBC’s learning assistance initiative originated with the awarding of the
federally funded TRIO Program which was at that time known as Special Services.
Idris Muhammad was named Director and the foundation was laid for building
institutionally funded support for at risk students.

The Learning Center was first established in 1976-77 as the “Learning Support
Center”. The center, directed by Altha Manning, was a unit of the Student
Development Division and was housed in an area of the Student Center. Services
were designed around the federally funded Special Services Program and consisted
primarily of peer tutoring. Three (3) classrooms in Bldg. 14 were later
converted into a Tutoring Lab, Math/Writing Lab and office space for 3 full-time
staff. The Individualized Manpower Training System for vocational students and
Disabled Student Services were added and the Center was reassigned to the Arts &&
Sciences Division in the early 1980’s.

Sue Hawkins was named Director of the Learning Support Center in 1983 and has
led the expansion of learning assistance programs/services since that time. As
institutional priorities changed and needs of students were identified, Learning
Center services expanded to promote academic performance and retention. Growing
numbers of students received services including peer tutoring, math, reading and
writing assistance. Student Assessment Services, Vocational Preparatory
Instruction (VPI); TRIO Student Support Services, Retention Services were also
among the programs/services housed in the department.

In 1995, DBC was awarded Title III funding to restructure the developmental
studies program in an effort to improve the academic performance and retention
of students enrolled in college preparatory courses. The restructuring included
the establishment of the current Learning Center, a state-of-the art facility
designed to provide personalized, guided academic support for these students. In
preparation for this change, the center was temporarily relocated to Building 5
while the second floor of Building 14 was remodeled to accommodate the expanded
services.

The Learning Center opened in its newly renovated, multi-media facility in
January 1996 as an integral part of the college preparatory curriculum. Centers
were established on each of the college’s campuses to ensure consistency of
academic support to students college-wide. In April 1997, the Learning Center
was recognized as an exemplary program in the Technology and Instruction
Category by the National Council of Instructional Administrators.

In recent years, the center expanded significantly, adding professional tutoring
and Supplemental Instruction to the services provided, upgrading learning
resources, increasing staff, and emphasizing professional development and program
evaluation. Robin Courtney was named Director in 2002 when Sue Hawkins was named
Assistant Dean. A skilled and knowledgeable team of professional staff have
provided personalized assistance to improve student performance.

The demand for Learning Center services by students enrolled in non-college
preparatory courses, led to the application for another Title III grant in 2003.
With the awarding of the grant the Center’s role expanded yet again. Student
Success Centers were established for this purpose and integration into the
Learning Center began at DeLand Campus, and at New Smyrna Beach, and Flagler
Campuses, respectively in the following years. In 2006, the final year of the
grant, the initiatives are integrated into the services provided by the Daytona
Campus Center.

To emphasize the college wide change in the Center’s focus from support for
college preparatory courses, a name change was recommended and the Learning
Center became the Academic Support Center, effective with the relocation of
Daytona Campus services to the first floor of Bldg. 500. The Modern Language lab
became a part of the Center’s offerings, online tutoring expanded as did support
for college credit courses across disciplines, Academic Coaching was initiated
and faculty involvement increased significantly.

Throughout its history, DBC’s Academic Support Center has been a major
contributor to the College’s efforts to promote access and opportunity in higher
education. The Center served 8,382 students during the 2005-06 academic year and
projects an enrollment of 10,477 at the conclusion of 2006-07. In the future,
the ASC will continue its tradition of fostering learning and ensuring that DBC
students are successful learners.