In only the second year of its existence, the Preble County Learning Center is growing.
According to Janet Schmitt, manager of the Learning Center, the enrollment has risen from 238 students last fall to 337 students now.
“Things are going really well,” Schmitt said. “Students are engaged, I feel we’re able to do some of the programmatic things that make a difference in a facility.”
Schmitt said they are offering more courses, including phlebotomy. It’s a two-quarter certificate with the lecture portion in the fall and the lab portion in the winter.
The Learning Center has partnered with Eaton High School in order to allow students to complete some of their science lab requirements without going downtown, according to Schmitt.
Schmitt said she wants the Learning Center to be the recognized center for higher education in Preble County.
Morgan Robbins is a Sinclair student ambassador and lives in Preble County. Robbins said the Learning Center helps her because she doesn’t have to leave her house 45 minutes before class to be on time.
“I haven’t had to go anywhere except here and Englewood,” Robbins said.
The Learning Centers try and offer a consistent experience, Schmitt said. Schmitt works with the Englewood, Huber Heights and Courseview Learning Centers in a collaborative effort.
“We want to provide the same student feel at our Learning Centers,” Schmitt said. “We share a lot of ideas.”
Schmitt started a program called Faculty Friends last fall to help students at the Learning Center.
“It really was a means of filling a need for students to get assistance in the library,” Schmitt said. “We don’t have a staff member dedicated solely to the space, so we started small. A few faculty members donated some time, and [we got] such a good response. Students count on their Faculty Friend to be there.”
Those faculty members that participate are on a routine schedule so students know when someone is available, according to Schmitt.
“We have really committed faculty members,” Schmitt said.
Schmitt said she thinks the Learning Center will continue to grow and serve the Preble County community well.
“I think we will become the resource for this area in helping their students get to college,” Schmitt said.
“Our staff feels strong and our students feel connected,” Schmitt said. “I really think it’s an exciting time for our Center.”