Located in Scarborough Library room 104, the Academic Assistance Center (AAC) is made up of Shepherd graduates who aim to help students succeed at Shepherd University.
The AAC, run by Kelly Pannill, Brian Miller and Ryan Laspina-Carriger, helps students in a multitude of ways. One way is by helping students navigate the schools catalog, RAIL and understanding their degree evaluation. The faculty help students create a four-year plan and help them find and utilize resources across campus so that they can stick to that plan.
The AAC also helps determine the correct forms that a student may need, like satisfactory academic progress appeals or academic change forms and assists in filling them out. They are there to help students understand the academic rules, regulations and procedures at Shepherd University, but also to answer whatever questions students may have.
One of the goals of the AAC is to be as accessible as possible to students and help them take an active role in their education. Last year, the AAC had more than 900 students visit and collaborate with many different campus offices, including residence life, the Academic Support Center, financial aid office and career services.
When told about what the AAC has to offer, Shepherd University student Randall Iacone thought what the Advising Assistance Center did was “cool…a valuable resource for students.”
What Pannill loves most about working at the AAC is being able to help frustrated, anxious or confused students.
“[Pannill] loves those times that students walk away from our office feeling empowered about getting to graduation, ” said Pannill.
If you’ve been feeling overwhelmed with RAIL, thinking about changing your major, wondering who your advisor is or wondering how to drop a class, the AAC is waiting to help you.
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