ESCC holds Boll Weevil Central ‘soft opening’
Mar 13, 2019
http://www.southeastsun.com/home/article_d84d874c-4594-11e9-9f90-5b531d37edb7.html
Enterprise State Community Celebrated the ‘soft opening’ of its brand new study, advising and tutoring area, Boll Weevil Central on Feb. 20.
The celebration featured finger foods and a meet and greet with ESCC’s new success advisors and professional tutors.
ESCC Matt Rodgers spoke to the crowd and thanked everyone for their help in getting Boll Weevil Central set up.
“You build something with good people, and we’ve done that —I just want to commend Dr. (Felisha) Ford and Mrs. (DaNean) Pound for her team of tutors and advisors,” Rodgers said. “Great things are happening in this little place; we’ve got some great things that are coming. We’re putting in new carpet in the next few weeks—we’ve got a bid out—we’re going to be doing some painting here, we’ve got new furniture coming in, and we want to make it great for you guys. We want it to be a place that you want to come and get the assistance that you need. I see tutors and different things going on at different tables, and we’re certainly going to do our part to make it a great place where you can get assistance. This is an entire team effort; we want to provide you guys with the support and assistance you need.”
Renovations including new carpet, chairs, couches and study rooms for students to use are planned and in the works. The goal is to make Boll Weevil Central a one-stop shop for students.
Boll Weevil Central, located in the library, started taking students for advising and tutoring at the beginning of February and ESCC English Instructor DaNean Pound said that close to 200 students have already used the services. She stressed that some students are “repeat customers,” which increases the numbers.
Pound is heading the tutoring side of the Boll Weevil Central and said the tutoring is something she’s been pushing for.
“I’ve been a huge advocate for this for many years and just to see it come to fruition and to see how excited students are makes my heart warm,” Pound said.
This marks the first time that ESCC has had tutoring for students who don’t qualify for it through Student Support Services.
ESCC Director of Counselling and Student Success Dr. Felisha Ford is leading the advising portion, which includes transfer and career assistants.
Boll Weevil Central currently three professional tutors, four peer tutors and two success advisors.
Students who want to use the services Boll Weevil Central offers just need to go to the library. It is open to ESCC students from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday.