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About the Centers

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History and Evolution of the Learning Centers at MiraCosta College

Early Beginnings: Establishing Tutoring Services

The roots of MiraCosta College’s tutoring services began in 1976 with the establishment of the Educational Priority Center under the direction of Dr. Paul H. Schoenbeck. Coordinated by Gail Eager, the center provided tutorial services and peer advising to students, evolving over time into what became known as Tutorial Services. As the college expanded, so did the demand for tutoring.

In 1988, the San Elijo Campus opened, and Tutorial Services was housed within the library, managed by library staff in a narrow room with seven tutoring carrels. Over the years, the center expanded, relocating multiple times to accommodate growing student needs. In 2003, Dr. Edward Pohlert became the Faculty Director of Retention Services, which included Tutorial Services. By 2004, Tutorial Services moved into the new Library & Information HUB on the Oceanside Campus and was rebranded as the Tutoring and Academic Support Center (TASC), with services continuing at San Elijo and expanding to the Community Learning Center (CLC).

Parallel Growth: TASC, Math Learning Center, Writing Center, and STEM Center

Alongside TASC’s expansion, several other academic support services were developing:

  • Math Learning Center (MLC): The MLC was established in the fall of 1995 by Brent Pickett and Bill Colburn. Initially designed as a space for math study and self-paced computer-based courses, the MLC became an essential support resource for students. Under the leadership of Beth Powell and later Faculty Director Scott Fallstrom, the MLC grew to include permanent staff (Learning Coaches) and expanded its services to the San Elijo Campus and CLC.
  • Writing Center (WC): In 2004, the Writing Center was established under the leadership of Faculty Director Dr. Denise Stephenson. The WC served as a dedicated space for writing support, quickly becoming a vital resource for students across disciplines and at all campus sites.
  • STEM Center: The idea for a dedicated STEM Center began taking shape in the mid-2010s. Spearheaded by Dr. Theresa Bolaños, a new position of STEM Faculty Coordinator was created and funded to provide focused leadership for this initiative. The STEM Center officially opened on the Oceanside Campus in the fall of 2017, supported by corporate sponsorships, including Nordson as the main sponsor. Dr. Bolaños served as the first STEM Faculty Coordinator from 2017-2019, followed by Dr. Raymond Clark, and then Dr. Tina Johnson, who continues to advance the center’s mission.
  • Supplemental Instruction (SI) Program: Launched in 2017, the SI program provided targeted support for challenging courses, complementing the existing academic support services and further enriching the student learning experience.

These centers and programs grew alongside each other, responding to the evolving needs of MiraCosta’s student population.

Merger of the Math and STEM Learning Centers (STEMLC)

In August 2022, the Math Learning Center and STEM Center officially merged to form the STEM Learning Centers (STEMLC) under Faculty Director Scott Fallstrom. This merger was marked by a rebranding effort, introducing a new logo that symbolized the unified mission to support all STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) students. The merger allowed tutors with expertise in multiple subjects, such as physics, math, statistics, and biology, to work together in a cohesive space.

Unification of ASIC, STEMLC, and WC

In July 2023, under the direction of Dean Mike Fino and in a move to streamline and enhance student support, the various centers were merged into a single department named The Learning Centers (TLC). This unification allows the centers to operate as a cohesive entity while maintaining their individual identities, ensuring that specialized support is still provided to all students. TASC and the SI Program were joined and renamed as the Academic Support & Innovations Center (ASIC). ASIC, STEMLC, and the Writing Center now operate within TLC, providing comprehensive academic support across all disciplines. The Learning Centers now operate under Dean Zhenya Lindstrom.