Student support by day, award recipient by night: THINK TANK receives Outstanding Learning Center Award

University of Arizona’s THINK TANK received national recognition for their exemplary work supporting students as the recipient of the 2022 Frank L. Christ Outstanding Learning Center Award. Through a rigorous and comprehensive review process, THINK TANK was chosen as the winner among competing four-year institutions.

The Frank L. Christ award is presented by the National College Learning Center Association (NCLCA) whose mission is to “support learning assistance professionals as they develop and maintain learning centers, programs, and services to enhance student learning at the post-secondary level.” The award annually recognizes institutions whose learning centers embody the standards of excellence established by the NCLCA.

“We are proud of the work that THINK TANK does to support University of Arizona students,”  Dr. Christine Salvesen, Associate Vice Provost for Student Success & Retention Innovation said, “the wrap-around services they provide help students be successful and move toward their academic goals.”  

THINK TANK supports the diverse Wildcat student body by offering a wide breadth of services, by professional staff and a community of over 240 peer educators. Over the course of the last year, THINK TANK had over 50,000 visits across all services.

The centralized academic support center which is in the Student Success and Retention Innovation (SSRI) division, offers tutoring, supplemental instruction, writing center, academic skills, and test preparation all under one entity. THINK TANK utilizes this strength to be able to provide an array of holistic support services that can meet the different needs of students. 

Receiving this award underscores the immense efforts put forth by all the staff and student employees. “This award acknowledges the great work being done by THINK TANK staff and validates that we have a world class learning support center at the University of Arizona, said Marco Ortiz, Director of THINK TANK. “Every staff member knows the overarching mission of the daily work we do - to focus on creating a positive and welcoming environment, to support students as they master skills, and to promote lifelong learning.”

THINK TANK will be acknowledged during the NCLCA’s annual conference in October.

Click here to read the official press release from NCLCA