How we got here is an interesting story - with passionate faculty looking for ways to provide the best support to students. Please check out our past iterations as we look to the future, together.
The STEM Learning Centers (STEMLC)
In 2020, conversations began about making adjustments to merge some learning centers and in August 2022, the Math Learning Center and STEM Center officially merged. To best indicate that change, a re-branding occurred and a new logo was chosen to represent the shared mission to meet the needs of all STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) students. With this new merge, tutors who cover multiple subjects (like physics and math, or statistics and biology) will be able to tutor all students in one space. We are excited to continue giving excellent service to students under our umbrella in the Library HUB (1200 building) Oceanside main campus, Learning Commons (100 building) at CLC and SAN, and also online.
Needing additional space for students, the passage of Measure MM allowed the library to be renovated providing a larger space for students in all STEM subjects. From spring 2023 until the renovated building opens, the STEM Learning Centers will be housed temporarily in the Administration Building (1000).
Please stop by our center for learning support, and while there, you can pick up a logo sticker, pen, and pencil. We will continue to provide both online and on-ground support for students in all our subject areas, at all MCC branches. Our Leadership Team looks forward to a bright future with you!
A group of faculty worked hard to create a new hub for students in science and other related fields. After months of negotiating for space and support, the district broke ground on a new STEM center in the summer of 2017. Corporate sponsor Nordson became the main sponsor with others providing funding for study rooms. The space was ready in fall 2017 and was very quickly filled with students. A reorganization in 2018 moved all STEM subjects to the new space along with tutors and some much needed support for both the STEM and Math Learning Centers... Amy Paopao came on board and now serves as the Administrative Assistant for both spaces.
Spearheaded by Dr. Theresa Bolaños, a new position of STEM Faculty Coordinator was also created and funded. She served in the role from 2017-2019, was followed by Dr. Raymond Clark (2019-2022), and now by Dr. Tina Johnson. Faculty coordinators typically serve in the role for 2 years and can rotate between different subject matter expertise. Their leadership allowed for new perspectives providing the STEM center more chances to grow and flourish, while starting some conversations about how the MLC and STEM should work together... especially since they share the "M" in STEM!
After a period of transition, the Math Learning Center was born in fall 1995. Brent Pickett worked with Bill Colburn to create a place where students could both study for math courses, as well as take some self-paced computer based courses. Seeing the need to maintain the program, the department hired Beth Powell in fall 1996 as the MLC Faculty Coordinator. The position later became a Faculty Director, as the center grew, a branch was opened at the San Elijo campus, with a separate Faculty Coordinator.
In 2014, Scott Fallstrom was approved by the Board of Trustees as the new Faculty Director and through a reorganization, the MLC was able to hire permanent staff (now known as Learning Coaches) and a few years later, the MLC expanded to have a branch at the Community Learning Center.
During the COVID pandemic, the MLC moved entirely online and began working together with the STEM center. This work showed the feasibility and efficiency of merging the STEM and MLC to better utilize the staff we have and provide better support for students overall.
TASC began in 1976 and served as the space for all tutoring and academic support. As increased needs presented, different areas for expertise were created. TASC still exists and serves all students who are not included in the STEM Learning Centers, Writing Centers, and Language Lab.
