Launched in 2016, the Frank E. O’Brien, Jr. Student Support Center brought together under one roof the support services that are available to Maria students. This center houses tutoring (professional, peer, and embedded), counseling, accessibility services, opportunity programs, ESL assistance, STAR (the Students At Risk initiative), the food pantry, and the Troy Savings Bank Writing Center. Academic support services are heavily utilized by adult students returning to school after time away from the classroom, those with learning differences, and students who are adjusting to the collegiate environment. Continued investment and growth in integrated and holistic support services is vital for Maria to deliver on our mission of opportunity education for people of all backgrounds. A focus on retention and enhancing the student experience will be a key area for this compass point.
