New learning center opens in Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering

Ribbon cutting of the new Lane Department Learning Center on Monday, September 23. (Statler College Photo/Paige Nesbit)

Students entering majors in the Lane Department of Computer Science and Electrical Engineering in the Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources at West Virginia University have a new resource for success.

By Olivia Miller
Communications Specialist

Benjamin M. Statler College of Engineering and Mineral Resources

On Monday, September 23, the Lane Department held a grand opening for its new Learning Center, which is dedicated to providing academic support for students of the Statler College enrolled in foundational courses offered by the Lane Department in the subjects of computer science, computer engineering, and electrical engineering. Located in Room 138 of the Advanced Engineering Research Building, students will have access to receive tutoring every Monday through Thursday from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

According to Matthew Valenti, professor and interim chair of the Lane Department, the center was created in direct response to students approaching leadership during the previous academic year and recommending that the department provide tutoring support for sophomore level courses. The students suggested that the tutors be Lane students themselves, since learners feel more comfortable seeking peer-to-peer assistance from other students that recently completed the same classes.

“Student success is of utmost importance to the Statler College and the Lane Department in particular,” Valenti said. “As a new student-oriented service, the center shall provide support for students entering into their majors within the department.”

Elaine Eschen, associate professor of computer science, has been named the center’s director and will be assisted by a student manager, Justin Romeo. The center will be staffed by a rotating set of tutors to ensure that at least four high-achieving students are always available to assist their peers, with a total of 12 student tutors. No appointments are necessary to receive a tutoring session.

“It is our hope that the center and the service it provides will help to ease the transition into the major, and ultimately lead to better learning and retention,” Valenti said.

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