Baker College opens 18,000-square-foot academic resource center

Baker College of Flint has unveiled its new Academic Resource Center (ARC) for students and faculty. The 18,000-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 Candace Johnson, Ph.D., vice president for academics at Baker College of Flint. “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 and the Learning Support Services area into a single blended resource.”

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.

Johnson continued, “The role of the library in higher education is changing dramatically, and we need to stay on the cutting edge. 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 that enables a dynamic and active learning environment

· A multi-media classroom outfitted with hardware and software to aid students practicing presentations, interviews and demonstrations that can also be used by instructors conducting research classes in the ARC

· Environments that address the needs of students requesting group work areas, group study space, study carrels and white boards

· Casual reading areas, test-taking rooms and a dedicated space for public use

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

The ARC is located on the main campus at 1050 W. Bristol Rd. It is open Monday-Thursday, 7:45 a.m.-6 p.m.; Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; and Saturday, 9 a.m.-noon. Students are able to make appointments for peer or professional tutoring. The facility is also open to the public interested in utilizing these resources on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Wakely Associates Inc., of Warren, was the architectural company for the project and Matthew Hanel Construction, of Montrose Township, provided construction services.

For more information about Baker College of Flint, visit www.baker.edu or contact Jodi Cuneaz in the Baker College of Flint admissions office at 810.766.4000 or jodi.cuneaz@baker.edu.

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 28,000 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.