ARC caters to students needs

For students that don’t feel too confident in math, reading or sentence skills, the Academic Resource Center (ARC) might be the place to start, according to ARC Coordinator Michael Gaines.
“Any student that does not reach college level courses or wants to brush up on their skills can use the ARC,” Gaines said. “Through a system named Plato we are able to locate what a student needs to work on and help them accordingly.”
Plato is a computer-based learning tool that individualizes a student’s need. It helps a student identify his weak points and work on them to get ready for the accuplacer test or freshen up their skills, according to Gaines.
The ARC was put in place to assist student’s transition to college from high school or from a job, help rebuild skills and help build and maintain connections at Sinclair. It also gives guidance counseling to help students realize what major they want to choose and make sure they stay on track, said Gaines.
Rena Peake, the ARC facilitator, believes that helping students stay on track is something that is definitely needed.
“Not every student knows what they want to do when they reach college,” Peake said. “We’re here to help them figure out what their interested in and put them on the right path. We’re like a funnel to Sinclair.”
The ARC is located in the Library Room L21. There are also modified ARC’s in the Sinclair Learning Centers and in area high schools, but they are known as College and Career Recourse Centers or CCRC.
In the CCRC’s students use the Plato system but also have high school to success programs, which help students explore future careers through college, military or carrier alternatives.
“We help high school students with the whole transition to college,” Peake said. “We help them figure out ‘Who am I?’ and ‘What do I need?’ If a student decided they want to be an auto mechanic we help them meet the right people and get involved.”
The ARC is also a way for students to save money. Its services are free and with it students can develop skills through developmental courses, according to Gaines.
“The ARC can help you in many different ways, but it is not a quick fix,” Gaines said. “Some people can come in and brush up on skills in a week or so but for others it’s going to be more challenging. We’re here to help you through that.”
The ARC is all about the students and through collaboration with teachers and counselors it is here to help them succeed, according to Peake.
“Everything we do is catered to students,” Peake said. “We know not everyone is the same which is why we’re constantly evolving to meet every students need. We’re here to help achieve real change and move students towards their goal.”