It Takes a Village – Get Help from the Academic Success Center to Excel in The Classroom
You may think that going through College is a lonely and stressful journey, especially when it comes to homework and finals. But you don’t have to do it alone, and it certainly doesn’t have to be stressful. With the excellent resources and personnel available to the students at Broward College, you can get through the most challenging assignments and topics successfully.
The Academic Success Center (ASC), with locations on each main campus and the Willis Holcombe, Pines, and Miramar West Centers, is the epicenter of student success and the hub for knowledge at the College.
“The research shows that students who utilize the ASC perform better than those who don’t,” says Mary Lapointe, lab supervisor at the Willis Holcombe Center’s ASC. “They learn better study habits, how to focus on their assignments, and have the opportunity to ask for immediate help if they find a roadblock while they work.”
Services Available
ASC offers tutors in accounting, business, computer science, economics, English as a Second Language (ESL), modern foreign language, math, science, STEM, and writing. There are separate labs for math, ESL/reading, writing, and STEM, that offer customized tutoring for courses in these areas.
You can also request academic material such as study and exam guides, solution manuals for subjects such as math and psychology, and video tutorials. And, for science students, the ASC at the Willis Holcombe Center has an open lab with hands-on anatomy models.
Additional support services offered at the ASC are open computer labs with printing and scanning, laptop and graphic calculators’ loans, guided study group sessions, and exam reviews. The ASC also offers special assistance to students with disabilities. All services are offered free of cost to currently enrolled students. You must present your student ID to use the facilities.
“This is definitely a great space for students to visit either before or after class to work on their homework, and get help if they need it. Our staff is readily available for any questions, and we can take whatever time necessary with a particular student,” says Kasey Dorian, English tutor. “From my own experience, I spent most of my freshman year at the ASC and as I result I had a 4.0 GPA myself.”
Students are encouraged to visit the Academic Success Center throughout the semester to take full advantage of all the resources available and polish their study skills from early on in the semester.
Hours and tutoring for subjects vary depending on location. You can visit the ASC at North, Central, or South campus, as well as Willis Holcombe, Miramar West, and Pines Center.
Highlighting National Campus Safety Awareness Month – Campus Safety Day held at Broward College
In 2008, the U.S. Congress established September as National Campus Safety Awareness Month (NCSAM.) To observe NCSAM, and as part of the efforts to bring the community and public safety organizations together, each year Broward College hosts Campus Safety Day (CSD.)
Led by the Safety, Security & Emergency Preparedness team, the event brings more than thirty organizations to campus for a career and informational fair about the different institutions that serve the Broward County community. Among the institutions present this year are the Florida Highway Patrol, the FBI, the Davie Police Department, Florida Atlantic University Police Department, the U.S. Coast Guard, and Broward Health.
“It’s very important for us to connect with the community we serve,” says Lieutenant Yanko Reyes, public affairs officer of the Florida Highway Patrol. “The only way for us to know how to properly help people and make sure that we are doing our job correctly is to talk to them and understand their problems. Events like this, Campus Safety Day, are the perfect opportunity to create that connection and build a strong relationship between law enforcement and community.”
“This is also an opportunity for the Campus Safety team here at the College to have strong student and staff engagement,” adds Campus Safety Lieutenant John Labandera.
Campus Safety at Broward College
National Campus Safety Awareness Month is meant to create the path towards a public and transparent discussion about the safety issues that affect College campuses. At Broward College, the Safety, Security & Emergency Preparedness (SSEP) department works year-round to create the safest environment possible for students, faculty, staff, and everyone who visits any of Broward College location. As a result, Campus Safety Day was designed as an opportunity to encourage engagement and to discuss the procedures and guidelines that the College abides by as it relates to campus safety.
“We want to let everyone know what the resources are that we offer to our college community and inform them about some of the innovative safety features that we have on our campuses,” says Labandera.
Among those features are the RAVE Guardian app, available to students, faculty, and staff to connect them directly, and in real-time with campus safety officers. The app provides tools such as a call directory, a campus safety call button, and a safety timer which serves as a virtual escort for someone walking alone on campus.
The SSEP also develop and provide emergency plans that include hurricane and active shooter preparedness guides.
The last Campus Safety Day will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 25, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at North Campus.
Have a desire to help your community? Explore the rewarding career opportunities in Public Safety, Nursing, and Emergency Medical Services at Broward College.
Broward College offers many resources to guarantee a safe environment at all of our campuses and centers. Learn more at SSEP.
After Broward UP™ Training, Single Mother Doing Her Part to Rebuild Native Bahamas
Since leaving the Bahamas for the United States 25 years ago, Denise Lewis has known nothing but hard luck. The 50-year-old single mother of four, who was only beginning to rebound from a divorce that led to foreclosure on her home, was hit with the latest bad bounce. The company she worked with for the past 16 years abruptly announced it had filed for bankruptcy and her job as clerk and shipping liaison was in jeopardy. As she headed home from work to tell her kids, Lewis did her best to put a good face.
“I was scared, but I didn’t want my kids to see me frantic,” said Lewis, already pushed to her limits, juggling the full-time job by day at Sunex International with classes in Marketing Management at Broward College by night. “I didn’t want to look the same way when we lost the house. When I’m scared and jittery, my kids can see it on my face.”
Instead of panicking, Lewis reached out to a case manager at the Urban League, who connected her to Broward UP™. The community-centric approach launched by Broward College last year aims to break down barriers to education and improve social mobility and economic development. Broward UP supports communities in zip codes across the county where unemployment is high and postsecondary education attainment levels are low.
For the remainder of the summer, while the courts evaluated her company’s bankruptcy petition, Lewis left work in Deerfield Beach, stopped to pick up her kids, drop them off at their home in Pompano Beach, then rushed to the Broward UP evening classes at Urban League facilities in Fort Lauderdale. Her drive to improve her life culminated with certification in Supply Chain Management
“Even though half of the staff had already lost their jobs,” said Lewis. “I was no longer as concerned because I had certified skills that were marketable.”
Certified and Marketable
With an updated resume in hand, Lewis interviewed with Atlass Hardware Corporation, the company that was purchasing the holdings of her former employer. The new owners asked about her certification.
“I was able to tell them how supply chain management relates to my current responsibilities, and they saw that I was also taking courses in marketing management,” said Lewis. “They liked my ambition.”
Lewis liked the new job offer more. Not only would she be rehired as an export billing and compliance administrator, Atlass agreed to boost her salary by $10,000.
“I was like ‘wow,” said Lewis. “Celebration is not the word. Right now, money is tight. I do my budget every two weeks, and there’s never enough. The extra income will offset a lot.”
Hurricane Relief
The money is nice, but these days, Lewis considers the work she does just as valuable. Most of the customers she assists live in the Bahamas. She is responsible for ensuring the islands get the hardware they need to rebuild from the devasting damage left by Hurricane Dorian.
“I’m in touch with my hometown every day,” said Lewis, who is eager to assist her native country in any capacity she can. “My mom and dad are safe, but there are family members in Abaco we haven’t heard from yet.”
As many as 10,000 Bahamians remain homeless. Lewis hopes the generators, the flashlights, and the batteries she coordinates for shipment provide some relief. She remembers the time, not too long ago, when she herself was homeless, living off handouts from local ministries. Things are different now, she believes. She is rebuilding her credit — the poor decisions behind her, stable employment ahead of her.
“People don’t always bounce back,” said Lewis, who boasts of one son in the Air Force, the other starting a business. “Life is definitely getting better.”
If you are dedicated to promoting opportunity and pushing residents of Broward County to achieve their highest potential, is a countywide movement for you to get behind. Here’s how you can partner.
Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations at Broward College
It’s all about being proud of where you come from and celebrating the history of your ancestors. Hispanic Heritage Month (HHM) celebrates and observes the culture, contributions, and impact the Hispanic and Latino heritage have had on the United States. The Hispanic population is the second-largest group in the U.S. with 58.9 million or 18 percent of the 327.2 million people who reside here.
To recognize their contributions to the nation, in 1968, President Lyndon B. Johnson established Hispanic Heritage Week and 20 years later, in 1988, President Ronald Reagan extended the celebration to a month-long period that starts on September 15.
Celebrate Your Roots
Broward County is known for its diversity, and Broward College is no different. Students represent more than 100 countries, and Hispanics currently make up 39 percent of the entire student population. To celebrate and honor the culture and contributions of these students, the College hosts several events for the Hispanic community to come together.
These events will feature food, art, and music. We picked a few taking places across our main campuses.
- Student Life at the Hugh Adams Central Campus will kick-off the celebrations with a cooking class on Tuesday, Sept. 17 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. in building 19, room 106.
- North Campus will host a Hispanic-themed club rush on Tuesday, Sept. 17 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. in the Breezeway of building 46. At the same time, a Hispanic Heritage open mic will take place in room 126.
- The Judson A. Samuels South Campus will host art-driven events, beginning with a discussion on the LGBTQ Experience in the Latinx Community on Wednesday, Sept. 18, at 9:00 a.m. in building 68, room 191.
- And, later that day, a Bilingual Conversation (Poetry & Religion) will take place at 6 p.m. in the same place.
- On Thursday, Sept. 19, a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration with live music will start at 11:00 a.m. in the Breezeway in building 68.
Regardless of your cultural background, join the celebration, and be part of the mind-opening experience of attending college in one of the most diverse cities in the U.S.
Broward College takes pride in the diversity of its student body. If you’re looking to connect with people of all backgrounds, you can join organizations such as the or . You can visit Student Life for more information.
Discover Central Campus – Places Every Student Should Know
To our college freshmen: Welcome to Broward College! We are thrilled you have chosen to begin your college career with us, and we want to make sure you have the best time while you’re here.
As you settle into your college life and get to know your way around, we are here to offer you some tips on places you should know on our A. Hugh Adams Central Campus located in Davie. With over 20 buildings covering an area of 146 acres shared with Florida Atlantic University, we have some cool spots to study or hang out.
Quiet Places
An obvious starting point is the library. The modern four-story building recently underwent renovations on its first floor adding a computer lab and a hangout area. Study group rooms are also available on all floors to students at no cost. Simply show your student ID at the front desk. Also, inside the library, you will find the Academic Success Center (ASC) on the second floor, a large space with computers and study tables.
On the southwest side of campus, right across from the parking garage, is building 6, also known as the Fine Arts building. It’s a beautiful, modern two-story building that has a high ceiling lobby. The second floor has a balcony that overlooks the lobby and is furnished with tables and chairs where students can study. If you prefer the advantage of the beautiful scenery and fantastic all-year-round Florida weather, then you would probably love to sit at the tables in the open space in front of building 5.
Hang Out with Friends
Even if you’ve been a Seahawk for just a couple of weeks, you probably already know everyone’s favorite hangout spot on campus: the patio of building 19, where Student Life and Student Services are located. Most Student Life activities take place under the roof-covered space and sometimes you’ll see some of your peers going at it over the ping pong table.
Inside building 19, the cafeteria is another favorite spot among your peers. The spacious, contemporary eating area is often a meeting point for friends, and some students even reunite to play videogames.
Another popular location is the Dunkin Donuts inside the library to the far right of the first floor. Outside the library, you have two hangout spots next to each other. The first is right in front of the entrance, where there are some tables and seating area in front of building 15. The other one is a covered patio in building 8, on the left side of the library.
Focused on Healthy Living?
You can get your workout in while you’re on campus. Building 11 has a fitness center, and students use the facility for free. You only need to bring your student ID and a towel, and you’re all set. If you’d prefer outdoor exercise, you can sign up for one of the intramural sports teams. On Central Campus, you can join the soccer or volleyball team through the Student Life department.
Broward College serves more than 63,000 students annually and currently has 11 locations across Broward county. Don’t miss out on having a full college experience. Broward College offers many academic, health, and economic resources to guarantee students’ success.
Remembering 9/11 – Broward College holds events honoring victims
It’s been 18 years since the terrorist attacks where 2,977 people lost their lives. Each year, the nation comes together to remember the victims of September 11, 2001, more commonly referred to as 9/11. As part of the national sentiment and intention of never forget, events are held across the country to honor those who lost their lives, their families, and educate the younger generation about this tragic event that changed the world.
At Broward College, several departments including Student Life and the Institute of Public Safety (IPS), host events on campus to bring the community together in remembrance and this year is no different.
9/11: Where were you?
IPS will host a viewing of 9/11: where were you? A documentary from the National Geographic commemorative collection on Wednesday, Sept. 18, 2019. There are two viewings at 8 a.m. and another at 11 a.m.
The event is organized by Benjamin Botero, a faculty member of IPS and winner of two faculty innovation grants funded by the Aspen Institute for his projects Gamification in the Classroom and Teaching and Learning with Images and Artifacts. With the funds received for the latest project, Botero acquired several items and artifacts related to 9/11 to create a permanent display in remembrance of the attacks.
“We should never forget as a country the impact and devastating effects of such horrible attack upon the United States,” says Botero. “It is imperative that we honor all law enforcement officers, firemen, first responders, and civilians involved, both victims and survivors, to show the world that Americans are resilient.”
Student Life Events
A 9/11 remembrance luncheon was hosted by Student Life North Campus on Sept. 11, at 12:30 p.m. The Judson A. Samuels South Campus also held an event at 12 p.m. remembering the attacks and the victims.
Student Trustee Hopes to Revamp Student Organizations on Campus
If you were to take a look at Gabriel De Moura’s calendar, you would feel overwhelmed. Gabriel is always on the go and making the most out of his time as a Broward College student: he’s enrolled full-time in the Professional Pilot program and serves as the student body president in the Student Government Association (SGA) at South Campus.
On top of that, he serves as the first student trustee in the Board of Trustees meetings for the 2019-20 academic year – a role that will rotate between the student president of each main campus. His participation follows a measure approved by the board in April to have a student government campus president sit on the dais of its meetings and workshops. “It is a huge responsibility for me to represent my peers in front of the board and I’m honored I have this opportunity. It was an eye-opening moment to be able to voice our concerns and create a conversation between students and decision-makers,” says Gabriel.
The Peculiar Child
The 21-year-old was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, but had a challenging childhood. His parents divorced when he was three years old, and moved around quite a lot, to different cities, houses, and neighborhoods.
“Moving around as much as I did, it was difficult to make friends. Besides, I had peculiar interests… while all kids my age were listening to Brazilian pop songs, I was pretty much into American culture from very early on,” says Gabriel. “Playing videogames was my main hobby and it made me want to learn English, so I could understand what I was playing.”
Gabriel has grown up to appreciate the lessons learned during his childhood. Moving around taught him to be open to meet new people, to welcome adventure and new experiences.
Seizing Second Chances
During elementary and middle school, Gabriel was very active in extracurricular activities. He would enter all types of competitions, from junior Olympics to astronomy and physics tournaments. But it all changed in high school, when his motivation wavered after he learned that his dream of joining the Brazilian Air Force was a no-go – he was told he needed to wear glasses, which instantly disqualified him to join. He found a way to follow his dream on a slightly different way: he will become a commercial pilot and would like to work for Emirates Airlines.
Thanks to his mother’s resolution, Gabriel was able to attend his senior year of high school at an American school in Michigan, which lifted his spirits. He was back to his younger self, participating on the football and wrestling teams.
“My mother’s determination was critical in getting me where I am right now. Finishing up my high school in Michigan gave me the push I needed to get back on track and make something of myself,” says Gabriel.
It’s All About Opportunity
With a laser-like focus, Gabriel knows exactly what his goals are. He is adamant that his time as student trustee will be well-spent. His main objective: to overhaul student activities. If anyone can testify to their significance in a students’ life, it is Gabriel.
“Broward College is very supportive of student-run clubs and organizations. However, I feel there are some things that can still be improved,” says Gabriel. “My main concern is the professional connections that students are exposed to. I see they are lacking and I feel that’s a wasted opportunity.”
Gabriel is a strong believer that the focus of the student organizations on campus should shift towards providing more professional connections between the students and future employers and colleagues. And he hopes these connections can be sponsored by the College. “I know that Broward College is committed to student success and if my peers show their interest in taking such opportunities, I know the College will step up and make it happen,” he says.
An excellent way to build up your resume is to take part in the student-run clubs and organizations while you attend college. Student Life at Broward College is an exciting world. Learn about the different clubs and organizations you can join today.
Take off to new heights when you enroll in the Aviation program at Broward College.