Baker College of Clinton Township opens new 15,000-square-foot academic resource center

CLINTON TOWNSHIP, Mich. – Baker College of Clinton Township has unveiled its new Academic Resource Center (ARC) for students and faculty. The 15,000-square-foot remodeling project was completed for the start of fall classes that began on Monday, Sept. 29.

“The trend in higher education continues to move away from a predominantly lecture-based style of instruction to a more fluid process, called active learning,” said Laura Treanor, Ph.D., vice president of academics for Baker College of Clinton Township and Port Huron. “In designing the ARC, we worked to understand student behavior patterns and active learning principles and determined the best solution was to unite the services of the campus library, the Learning Support Services area and the Writing Center into a single blended resource.”

Merging the resources of these three key student service areas at one location, the ARC gives students and staff new ways to work together and supports evolving teaching practices. The goal is for students to become independent learners, critical thinkers and problem solvers by providing them with an environment that is stimulating and encourages a variety of learning styles.

Treanor continued, “We are always rethinking and reorganizing resources to make learning spaces more accessible to students and to stay current with trends in higher education.”

Features of the new space include:

· Cutting-edge technology and furniture that enable a dynamic and active learning environment

· A presentation room outfitted with a green screen, hardware and software tools specifically designed to aid students practicing presentations, screencasts, interviews and demonstrations

· Environments that address the needs of students requesting group work areas, collaboration rooms, quiet study areas, and laptop and tablet bars

· Flexible spaces that have new movable furniture, walls painted in whiteboard paint, mobile whiteboards, ample charging ports, carrel desks and laptop chairs

· Integrated library staff within the space to be more accessible to students

The ARC is located at G-103 on the main campus. It is open Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Saturday, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Students are able to make appointments for peer or professional tutoring.

“The role of the library in higher education is changing dramatically, and we need to stay on the cutting edge,” said Treanor. “Baker College President Donald Torline and the Clinton Township Board of Regents should be applauded for their leadership and for supporting this project.”

The ARC uses space that previously housed the campus library, office spaces and several nearby classrooms.

Wakely Associates Inc., of Warren, was the architectural company for the project. NBS Commercial Interiors, of Troy, provided furniture, and Morgan Construction Company, of Flint, provided construction services.

For more information about Baker College of Clinton Township, visit www.baker.edu or contact Annette Looser in the admissions office at annette.looser@baker.edu or 586.791.3000.

The largest private college in Michigan, Baker College is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. It is a nonprofit higher education institution, serving more than 35,000 students on 12 campuses and in three satellite locations. Baker grants certificates and associate, bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business, health sciences, education and human services, and various technical fields, as well as a doctorate of business administration. As a career college, the Baker College system is pleased to report that 97 percent of its available graduates are employed. For more information about Baker College, please check out our website at www.baker.edu.