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Student Success Heroes by Engineerica Systems

Student Success Heroes by Engineerica Systems

By Engineerica Systems

We believe higher education and student service professionals help to bring academic achievement and success to all students.
We created this podcast to highlight them and their stories. In this series, we’ll talk to leaders in higher education and researchers of student success and assessment to learn how they do what they do and what keeps them going. We’ll hear inspiring stories and learn from one another.
Please join us as we celebrate our Student Success Heroes.
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Bringing Learning Centers Together with Keigh-Cee Bell: Episode 2 of 2

Student Success Heroes by Engineerica SystemsMay 25, 2021

00:00
29:05
Bringing Learning Centers Together with Keigh-Cee Bell: Episode 2 of 2
May 25, 202129:05
Bringing Staff, Students, and Faculty Together with Keigh-Cee Bell: Episode 1 of 2
Apr 07, 202122:24
The 5 Pillars of Learning Centers, with Penny Turrentine: #5. Data Collection for Continuous Improvement

The 5 Pillars of Learning Centers, with Penny Turrentine: #5. Data Collection for Continuous Improvement

“Another piece of data that I think is extremely important to collect is student feedback. Students are our reason for being and sometimes you have to remind people of that.” - Dr. Penny Turrentine

In the final part of a short series of podcast episodes, we conclude a discussion with Penny Turrentine, Ph. D., Adjunct Faculty and Program Coordinator at Pima Community College, about another foundational pillar upon which to successfully build your college or university Learning Center.

Her book, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Learning Centers (and then some…)inspired these discussions and focuses on the fundamentals for learning center directors, including seeking feedback from those you serve. Penny points out that data collection is important for demonstrating to your administrators and others the importance of your mission.

During her twenty-seven years in the field, Dr. Turrentine has specialized in working with student-athletes and published, Champions in the Classroom, a professional reference guide for student-athletes, learning support staff, coaches, advisors, parents, and school administrators. She earned her BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Arizona, selecting studies in sociology, psychology, and exercise and sport sciences as preparation for her goal of working with student-athletes in the academic area. She went on to earn her Master’s degree from the University of Arizona College of Education with a minor in exercise and sport sciences before moving on to earn her doctorate.

She recently "retired" as the director of the West Campus Learning Center at Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona. Though, Dr. Turrentine continues to teach and coordinate the Aztec Academics program for the Athletic Department at Pima College - designing and implementing a series of student success workshops that draw parallels between athletic skills and academic skills. She also developed a mentoring program for student-athletes and facilitates tutor-led study halls for the athletes. She designed and developed the Student-Athlete Center for Academic Excellence and continues to be a consultant to the Athletic Department in all facets of academic support. In the field of learning assistance, Dr. Turrentine has earned Level 4 certification from the National College Learning Center Association (NCLCA). She has served both as the Arizona/Nevada director and as the SIG leader for the Learning Assistance Center Management SIG. She has been a Master level reviewer for the International Tutor Training Program Certification Program for 13 years and has coordinated the ITTPC. 

Engineerica helps you to engage, track, and retain students. Learn more at www.engineerica.com.

Want to hear more? Visit the Podcast website: https://www.engineerica.com/student-success-heroes-podcast/

We want to hear your story!  Leave us a voicemail telling us about one of your center's current goals or initiatives. How are you achieving it or what challenges have you uncovered? We may just play your message in an upcoming episode so that others can learn from your experience.

Mar 03, 202117:01
The 5 Pillars of Learning Centers, with Penny Turrentine: #4. Establish Rapport with Your Students

The 5 Pillars of Learning Centers, with Penny Turrentine: #4. Establish Rapport with Your Students

In part four of a short series of podcast episodes, we speak with Penny Turrentine, Ph. D., Adjunct Faculty and Program Coordinator at Pima Community College, regarding another foundational pillar on which to build a successful Learning Center at your college or university.

Her recent publication, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Learning Centers (and then some…)presents fundamentals for learning center directors, such as welcoming each student and going above and beyond to show that you care. Penny gives examples of building rapport through playfulness, attending student games as a team, and training her staff for interactions with students.


During her twenty-seven years in the field, Dr. Turrentine has specialized in working with student-athletes and published, Champions in the Classroom, a professional reference guide for student-athletes, learning support staff, coaches, advisors, parents, and school administrators. She earned her BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Arizona, selecting studies in sociology, psychology, and exercise and sport sciences as preparation for her goal of working with student-athletes in the academic area. She went on to earn her Master’s degree from the University of Arizona College of Education with a minor in exercise and sport sciences before moving on to earn her doctorate.

She recently "retired" as the director of the West Campus Learning Center at Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona. Though, Dr. Turrentine continues to teach and coordinate the Aztec Academics program for the Athletic Department at Pima College - designing and implementing a series of student success workshops that draw parallels between athletic skills and academic skills. She also developed a mentoring program for student-athletes and facilitates tutor-led study halls for the athletes. She designed and developed the Student-Athlete Center for Academic Excellence and continues to be a consultant to the Athletic Department in all facets of academic support. In the field of learning assistance, Dr. Turrentine has earned Level 4 certification from the National College Learning Center Association (NCLCA). She has served both as the Arizona/Nevada director and as the SIG leader for the Learning Assistance Center Management SIG. She has been a Master level reviewer for the International Tutor Training Program Certification Program for 13 years and has coordinated the ITTPC.


Engineerica helps you to engage, track, and retain students. Learn more at www.engineerica.com.

Want to hear more? Visit the Podcast website: https://www.engineerica.com/student-success-heroes-podcast/

We want to hear your story!  Leave us a voicemail telling us about one of your center's current goals or initiatives. How are you achieving it or what challenges have you uncovered? We may just play your message in an upcoming episode so that others can learn from your experience.

Feb 04, 202107:33
The 5 Pillars of Learning Centers, with Penny Turrentine: #3. Resourcefulness

The 5 Pillars of Learning Centers, with Penny Turrentine: #3. Resourcefulness

In part three of a short series of podcast episodes, we continue our discussion with Penny Turrentine, Ph. D., Adjunct Faculty and Program Coordinator at Pima Community College, regarding another foundational pillar on which to build a successful Learning Center at your college or university.

Inspired by her most recent publication, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Learning Centers (and then some…)we delve into essentials for learning center directors, including the need for 'making something from nothing' when faced with insufficient funding. We discuss several instances where Penny was able to use resourcefulness to propel her center forward and engage more students in the process.


During her twenty-seven years in the field, Dr. Turrentine has specialized in working with student-athletes and published, Champions in the Classroom, a professional reference guide for student-athletes, learning support staff, coaches, advisors, parents, and school administrators. She earned her BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Arizona, selecting studies in sociology, psychology, and exercise and sport sciences as preparation for her goal of working with student-athletes in the academic area. She went on to earn her Master’s degree from the University of Arizona College of Education with a minor in exercise and sport sciences before moving on to earn her doctorate.

She recently "retired" as the director of the West Campus Learning Center at Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona. Though, Dr. Turrentine continues to teach and coordinate the Aztec Academics program for the Athletic Department at Pima College - designing and implementing a series of student success workshops that draw parallels between athletic skills and academic skills. She also developed a mentoring program for student-athletes and facilitates tutor-led study halls for the athletes. She designed and developed the Student-Athlete Center for Academic Excellence and continues to be a consultant to the Athletic Department in all facets of academic support. In the field of learning assistance, Dr. Turrentine has earned Level 4 certification from the National College Learning Center Association (NCLCA). She has served both as the Arizona/Nevada director and as the SIG leader for the Learning Assistance Center Management SIG. She has been a Master level reviewer for the International Tutor Training Program Certification Program for 13 years and has coordinated the ITTPC.


Engineerica helps you to engage, track, and retain students. Learn more at www.engineerica.com.

Want to hear more? Visit the Podcast website: https://www.engineerica.com/student-success-heroes-podcast/

We want to hear your story!  Leave us a voicemail telling us about one of your center's current goals or initiatives. How are you achieving it or what challenges have you uncovered? We may just play your message in an upcoming episode so that others can learn from your experience.



Jan 06, 202107:22
The 5 Pillars of Learning Centers, with Penny Turrentine: #2. Support from Faculty and Administrators

The 5 Pillars of Learning Centers, with Penny Turrentine: #2. Support from Faculty and Administrators

In part two of a short series of podcast episodes, we speak with Penny Turrentine, Ph. D., Adjunct Faculty and Program Coordinator at Pima Community College, about another foundational pillar on which to build a successful Learning Center at your college or university. Inspired by her most recent publication, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Learning Centers (and then some…)we delve into essentials for learning center directors, including soliciting and gaining the support of faculty and administrators.

During her twenty-seven years in the field, Dr. Turrentine has specialized in working with student-athletes and published, Champions in the Classroom, a professional reference guide for student-athletes, learning support staff, coaches, advisors, parents, and school administrators. She earned her BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Arizona, selecting studies in sociology, psychology, and exercise and sport sciences as preparation for her goal of working with student-athletes in the academic area. She went on to earn her Master’s degree from the University of Arizona College of Education with a minor in exercise and sport sciences before moving on to earn her doctorate.

She recently "retired" as the director of the West Campus Learning Center at Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona. Though, Dr. Turrentine continues to teach and coordinate the Aztec Academics program for the Athletic Department at Pima College - designing and implementing a series of student success workshops that draw parallels between athletic skills and academic skills. She also developed a mentoring program for student-athletes and facilitates tutor-led study halls for the athletes. She designed and developed the Student-Athlete Center for Academic Excellence and continues to be a consultant to the Athletic Department in all facets of academic support. In the field of learning assistance, Dr. Turrentine has earned Level 4 certification from the National College Learning Center Association (NCLCA). She has served both as the Arizona/Nevada director and as the SIG leader for the Learning Assistance Center Management SIG. She has been a Master level reviewer for the International Tutor Training Program Certification Program for 13 years and has coordinated the ITTPC.

Engineerica helps you to engage, track, and retain students. Learn more at www.engineerica.com.

Want to hear more? Visit the Podcast website: https://www.engineerica.com/student-success-heroes-podcast/

We want to hear your story!  Leave us a voicemail telling us about one of your center's current goals or initiatives. How are you achieving it or what challenges have you uncovered? We may just play your message in an upcoming episode so that others can learn from your experience.

Dec 01, 202009:15
The 5 Pillars of Learning Centers, with Penny Turrentine: #1. Professional Development

The 5 Pillars of Learning Centers, with Penny Turrentine: #1. Professional Development

In part one of a short series of podcast episodes, we sit down with Penny Turrentine, Ph. D., Adjunct Faculty and Program Coordinator at Pima Community College, to discuss some of the foundational pillars on which to build a successful Learning Center at your college or university. Inspired by her most recent publication, Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Learning Centers (and then some…)we delve into essentials for learning center directors, the first being the need for professional development for learning center staff.

During her twenty-seven years in the field, Dr. Turrentine has specialized in working with student-athletes and published, Champions in the Classroom, a professional reference guide for student athletes, learning support staff, coaches, advisors, parents, and school administrators. She earned her BA in Interdisciplinary Studies from the University of Arizona, selecting studies in sociology, psychology, and exercise and sport sciences as preparation for her goal of working with student-athletes in the academic area. She went on to earn her Master’s degree from the University of Arizona College of Education with a minor in exercise and sport sciences before moving on to earn her doctorate.

She recently "retired" as the director of the West Campus Learning Center at Pima Community College in Tucson, Arizona. Though, Dr. Turrentine continues to teach and coordinate the Aztec Academics program for the Athletic Department at Pima College - designing and implementing a series of student success workshops that draw parallels between athletic skills and academic skills. She also developed a mentoring program for student-athletes and facilitates tutor-led study halls for the athletes. She designed and developed the Student Athlete Center for Academic Excellence and continues to be a consultant to the Athletic Department in all facets of academic support. In the field of learning assistance, Dr. Turrentine has earned Level 4 certification from the National College Learning Center Association (NCLCA). She has served both as the Arizona/Nevada director and as the SIG leader for the Learning Assistance Center Management SIG. She has been a Master level reviewer for the International Tutor Training Program Certification Program for 13 years and has coordinated the ITTPC.

Professional Development Resources:

College Reading & Learning Association (CRLA)

National College Learning Center Association (NCLCA)

LRNASST-L Listserve: Open Forum for Learning Assistance Professionals

Learning Support Centers in Higher Education (NSCHE)

Engineerica helps you to engage, track, and retain students. Learn more at www.engineerica.com.

Want to hear more? Visit the Podcast website: https://www.engineerica.com/student-success-heroes-podcast/

We want to hear your story!  Leave us a voicemail telling us about one of your center's current goals or initiatives. How are you achieving it or what challenges have you uncovered? We may just play your message in an upcoming episode so that others can learn from your experience.

Oct 29, 202017:35
Making a Home Away From Home for Students with Julie Ashley, MCCNEB

Making a Home Away From Home for Students with Julie Ashley, MCCNEB

We love our higher education professionals and all that they are doing to take care of and encourage their students along their academic journey. We spoke to Julie Ashley, Director of Tutoring and Academic Support for Metropolitan Community College, about the way they create a "homey space" for students and create meaningful connections. We also discuss the impact of the pandemic and her team's quick response to ensure students continue to have support.

Engineerica's solution, AccuCampus, is built to engage, track, and retain students. Learn more here.

Want to hear more? Visit the Podcast website: https://www.engineerica.com/student-success-heroes-podcast/

We want to hear your story!  Leave us a voicemail telling us about one of your center's current goals or initiatives. How are you achieving it or what challenges have you uncovered? We may just play your message in an upcoming episode so that others can learn from your experience.
Aug 06, 202033:55
Listening to Students and Making It Fun with Tricia Seifert, MSU

Listening to Students and Making It Fun with Tricia Seifert, MSU

Jul 01, 202055:23
Data-informed Center Initiatives for Student Success with Melissa Sprock, IWU

Data-informed Center Initiatives for Student Success with Melissa Sprock, IWU

We're highlighting and celebrating the stories of our higher education professionals whose priority is student success. A couple of weeks ago we spoke to Melissa Sprock, Director of the Learning Center and Foundations Program for Indiana Wesleyan University, regarding their Advisory Board's use of AccuTrack data to inform their Learning Center's initiatives to help students thrive. We also touched on their team's response to the recent pandemic. 

Engineerica's flagship product, AccuTrack, has been in use by academic institutions since 1998, putting essential tracking data in the hands of student services professionals.

We want to hear your story! Leave us a voicemail telling us about one of your center's current goals or initiatives. How are you achieving it or what challenges have you uncovered? We may just play your message in an upcoming episode so that others can learn from your experience.

Podcast website: https://www.engineerica.com/student-success-heroes-podcast/

Leave us a voice message: https://anchor.fm/studentsuccessheroes

May 28, 202031:06
Using Data to Make Operational Decisions with Michael Osadchuk, Cal Baptist
May 01, 202032:10
Going Virtual and Staying Connected with Jason Johnson, USML

Going Virtual and Staying Connected with Jason Johnson, USML

Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, institutions in higher education have been forced to close their campuses and move to remote operations. Here at Engineerica, we’ve taken steps to help educators as they move to support students virtually by releasing some additional features quickly in our Accudemia platform that enables virtual appointment scheduling and remote sign-in options. We also extended complimentary accounts through the end of the summer for those who are in need of such a solution.

We speak to Jason Johnson, University Tutoring Center Manager for the University of Missouri-St. Louis, about the impact the pandemic has had on their services. What follows is an uplifting conversation about how their University Tutoring Center's team is rising to the challenge and adjusting their operations to continue to meet the needs of their students.

Please, visit https://www.engineerica.com/ to learn more about Engineerica Systems' center management system, Accudemia.

Please note, complimentary accounts of Accudemia are currently being offered through the rest of the 2020 summer semester to assist educators who must move to virtual operations.

Podcast website: https://www.engineerica.com/student-success-heroes-podcast/

Podcast Transcript: https://www.engineerica.com/blog/post/podcast-episode-2-jason-johnson-university-of-missouri-st-louis/

Leave us a voice message: https://anchor.fm/studentsuccessheroes

Apr 25, 202019:60
Preparing Students for a Complex and Changing World with Lisa Costa, UTexas
Apr 21, 202026:25
Preview Episode

Preview Episode

Welcome to the preview episode for Student Success Heroes, a podcast by Engineerica Systems. At Engineerica, we believe higher education and student services professionals strive to bring academic achievement and success to all students.

Through a variety of ingenious programs, initiatives, and just everyday service, these professionals help save failing or struggling students and lift them towards their goals. They help students build an arsenal of life skills and teach them how to set and achieve goals. They direct students to pathways of academic and lifetime success.

For over 25 years, Engineerica has partnered with colleges and universities to bring them helpful tools and technology to aid them in their mission. One such system, AccuTrack, is an attendance tracking system that has been in use by academic institutions since 1998. Currently, Engineerica offers attendance tracking and student service center management systems, student retention and success applications, as well as professional development and continuing education training and conferencing software.

Because we too believe in the ultimate goal of helping each student succeed, we strive to provide the best possible products and services to our clients, those student success heroes found in colleges and universities across the globe.

We wanted to create this podcast to highlight them and their stories. In this series, we’ll talk to leaders in higher education and researchers of student success and assessment to learn how they do what they do and what keeps them going. We’ll hear inspiring stories and learn from one another.

Please join us as we celebrate our Student Success Heroes.


Learn more about Engineerica at our website:  www.engineerica.com

Apr 18, 202002:39