Academic Success Center

Herman Miller, a leading national furnishings company that supports earth- and people-centered design, whose products currently are in use in the Trout Library, has selected Harcum College for a highly selective case study related to learning space and student learning outcomes. The study will involve creating a research-based academic success center for many of the programs that support our students' academic achievement, such as Student Support Services and Educational Success Center.

An interdisciplinary team organized by Heidi Techner, Program Director of Interior Design, will meet next week with consultants and executives from Herman Miller and Premier Office to discuss the functional areas and services planned for the learning space, to best ensure Harcum is capitalizing on the ideal design for tutoring, academic coaching, and the cultural enrichment opportunities that currently are planned or take place in Academic Center Room 101.

"From the design perspective, this is a really unprecedented opportunity," Techner said. "Even in the design world, we often don't have the chance to have meaningful conversation around design."

Herman Miller will then create a plan for the space based on the feedback from next week's meeting. The case study also involves measuring whether Harcum students are benefiting from the changes made to the physical learning space and making adjustments in the future if needed.

"This type of work speaks to the Strategic Plan," President DeTemple said. "It is elemental to retention and student success goals."

Look for more information as the case study continues.