Wayne State University’s Board of Governors doubled down on the university’s commitment to teaching, learning and student success at its September meeting, with the approval of $1.15 million to create the Undergraduate Warrior 360 Academic Engagement Hub, which will be located in the 24-hour study area in the Undergraduate Library. It is expected to open by the end of January 2024.
“Our strategic focus on social and economic mobility has pushed us to develop innovative strategies to not only ensure graduation, but to also ensure every student leaves our campus with prospects of a fulfilling career,” said Darryl Gardner, assistant vice president for student success. “We firmly understand that students who are actively engaged, connected, and included in our community are more likely to achieve graduation and enjoy the benefits of a college education.”
“Every community needs a physical place to convene that feels like home,” said Latonia Garrett, director of student success initiatives and academic partnerships. “The Warrior 360 Academic Hub reflects our investment and pride in this institution’s rich ethnic, geographic, thought and academic diversity.”
The new, dynamic shared space will have seating for 150 people and is available for any undergraduate student to hang out, study, collaborate, or access services including Warrior 360, veteran support, supplemental instruction, academic persistence and student disability services. A goal of the new space is to eliminate barriers that students may encounter, such as having to navigate several service points, while seeking program-related assistance.
The Warrior 360 program received additional good news from the Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity, which renewed the university’s King Chávez Parks Competitive Grant. The award provides nearly $600,000 over the next six years to bolster the Warrior 360 program and the students it supports.
“We are an institution of opportunity. For continued success at transforming the student experience, we must be more thoughtful about how we support student engagement,” said Gardner. “These new resources allow us to help more students foster community around their academic identities and career interests.”
The Warrior 360 program matches university professionals who can identify and address student needs with Wayne State resources to ensure student success.
“We believe that college is a team sport,” said Garrett. “Small things, over time, can chip away at student efficacy and confidence. Warrior 360 takes a big organization like Wayne State and makes it smaller by asking each student what it takes to make them successful.”
Students who want to get involved in academic success programs are invited to join Wayne State’s study club, which meets at the Academic Success Center in the Undergraduate Library from 4 to 7 p.m. every Wednesday. Refreshments, including coffee, tea and snacks, along with tutors are available for free on a drop-in basis.