College of DuPage opens new support center on its campus

College of DuPage officials are celebrating the opening of a new academic support center for students in technical fields.

The new Learning Commons West is located in the Technical Education Center at the school's Glen Ellyn campus, 425 Fawell Blvd. It complements the larger Learning Commons, which provides a variety of academic support services in COD's Student Resource Center.

While students can get help with basic course work at Learning Commons West, they also can receive specialized tutoring for courses offered at the Technical Education Center.

School officials said several programs are housed at the Technical Education Center, including architecture, automotive technology, computer-aided design, electromechanical technology, manufacturing technology and welding technology.

COD President Ann Rondeau said students in technical fields will benefit from the specialized tutoring now available to them.

"This is about connecting to our students, and is core to who we are as an institution," Rondeau said. "This community of learners now have this valuable tool to help in their educational journeys, and we are happy to provide this resource to the students who have put their trust in College of DuPage."

Part of the student lounge in the Technical Education Center was used to create the space for the academic support center. Work on the project started late last year.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony for Learning Commons West was held last week. Several area elected officials attended the event.

COD board Chairwoman Deanne Mazzochi applauded the work of the Learning Commons staff.

"All our students share a desire to achieve and we are thrilled to help them do that," Mazzochi said in a statement. "We are proud in the dedicated staff we have at the Learning Commons and in our ability to provide this (Learning Commons West) space. It is gratifying to see our students not only using these resources, but thriving because of them."