The Academic Success Center: A Resource for Resilience

Many on-campus jobs are just that—jobs. As an ambitious English major with an overly romanticized view of the world, I found this reality somewhat upsetting. Still, the proverbial tumbleweeds blowing across the landscape of my bank account seemed to demand that I put aside my inhibitions, so in the summer going into my junior year, I applied to be a “Front Desk Cover” at the Academic Success Center (ASC). Before this moment, I was aware that the ASC existed, but it was not until my first day of work—when I saw a student bursting with nerves sink into relaxation at the sound of a greeting from one of the ASC counselors—that I realized I had not simply started a job, I had become involved in an integral part of the Gordon community. 

Recently, I interviewed Alyson Longacre, the director of the ASC, to learn more about the center's services and its role in shaping Gordon College's culture: 

Alyson Longacre, Director, Academic Success Center

“The ASC,” she explained, “serves two primary roles on campus. First, it functions as the College’s designated Disability Services Office,” meaning that it is “the central resource for students whose disabilities impact their academic experience.” Naturally, Longacre emphasized how this role is an absolutely “vital part of the ASC’s mission” at the College. “In addition to disability services,” she continued, “the ASC provides general academic support to all Gordon College students.” This support is facilitated by “trained, professional academic coaches who partner with students to navigate academic challenges . . . such as time management, organization, accountability, and anything that may have to do with academics.” Outside of these two primary services, the ASC also offers a wide array of resources, free of charge to all Gordon students, including, “subject tutors who can help with specific courses and fields of study, help for English Language Learners, Peer Study Coaches who can assist with general academics, career connection and planning for students with disabilities, online tutoring, and more!”

When asked about how Gordon and the ASC’s approach to academic success differ from those at other institutions, Longacre told me that, while she could not speak to other schools’ philosophies, “at Gordon, we attempt to take a highly individualized and relational approach to our work with students. We try to avoid formulaic approaches to student success while still maintaining sound learning theory and study skills methods.” As Longacre puts it, “We do this because we believe that every student is different and comes with a unique situation and context. We really want students to find agency in their learning and academic coursework, and we are partners with them in discovering what that means.” 

As for the ASC’s place in the Gordon community, Longacre explained how “the ASC is committed to seeing disability as diversity” and focusing on the “flourishing of community.” Longacre also emphasized that while the ASC acts first and foremost in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act, the center is about “much more than just a ‘fulfillment of the law.’ It’s not just the question of ‘are we in compliance?’ and leaving it at that. It’s our privilege to work alongside students, helping them eliminate barriers to academic access and thriving because it’s the right thing to do.”

Before joining the ASC team, I viewed educational struggles as a blemish on my college experience, something to be ashamed of . . . or at least ignored. Now, having seen students from various backgrounds summon the courage to ask for help as they face their academic needs head-on, I realize that struggle is an opportunity for resilience. This resilience, above all else, is what stands out about the ASC and makes it not only a hub for academic support but also a shining testament to the strength and diversity of Gordon’s student body.