During the summer of 2024, Lewis University took action by renovating the Learning Resource Center.
The Learning Resource Center, also known as LRC, is located at the entrance of the Lewis University campus. Containing multiple offices such as the Registrar, Student Accounts, Financial Aid, Lewis University Police Department, Residence Life, IT and more, the building provides help and resources to all students.
During the summer, the building received multiple renovations that returning students have taken notice of.
One of the main features that the update brought was the lobby, where it provides students with information to locate the different departments located on all 5 floors. Some additional updates on the ground floor were the painting of the walls, the carpet was replaced, and the lighting was enhanced by the facilities department. Currently, there will be new signage on the walls to help the students navigate the floor more efficiently and easily.
Another one of the main updates made to the ground floor was the change of material for the floor. The carpet went from being red, to grey, along with the painting of the walls, that according to the staff, needed to be replaced and makes the area look cleaner and more professional.
On the other hand, the library bathrooms, located on the first floor, received some major updates too. They now have brand new amenities where the facilities department gave the walls a fresh coat of paint and brand new flooring, which consists of new tiles.
Dr. Kurt Schackmuth, Vice President for Student Life and Chief Mission Officer, states “The centerpiece of the space is a new reception desk, part of a broader ‘service excellence’ initiative designed to help us provide an elevated level of service to our students, employees, families, and guests. This initiative has been in the planning stages for about 18 months, and it’s all coming together now. We call the reception desk ‘Lewis Central.’”
Schackmuth, explains that the school’s hope for the Lewis Central is that the students will get to know about it, and know to go to it when they are looking to find answers, but don’t know which department may have the answers. The person working at the desk will be a Graduate Assistant known as the “Lewis Central Navigator,” a role that multiple individuals are currently being cross-trained and oriented to do.
The Central Navigators would have schedules that would go over 5 p.m., which is when most offices close. The hope is that they will be able to answer most of the basic questions for most departments. If there are any questions while the department offices are closed, they would be able to attain answers from the Navigators, so no student leaves without the information that they came for.
“The entire project is designed to make the ground floor of the LRC more user friendly and aesthetically pleasing. Because of its location at the front of campus and all of the critical student service-facing offices housed on the ground floor, the LRC is highly trafficked by families, visitors, students and employees. We feel all these enhancements help us serve these populations in better and more significant ways,” said Schackmuth.
As the renovations with the first floor come to an end, it can be seen that Lewis University has been putting effort into improving the quality of customer service for the families of the students and students themselves, making a statement that the school cares and will go above and beyond to provide the best services it can.
Photo Credits: Matthew Carlson
