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Chad Groves has been named Olney Central College’s Director of Instructional Support Services, overseeing both the Academic Success Center and the Anderson Library.
“I’m thankful for this opportunity, and I feel like this is where I want to be at this point in my career,” Groves added. “I’m excited about the job and excited to begin the next chapter here at OCC. We have a great staff with Kaitlyn (Weger) and Brianna (Simpson). They are vital to the success of the Library and the Academic Success Center. I look forward to being part of a great team.”
Groves, who joined OCC in 2013, brings a wealth of experience to the position. He previously served as the ASC’s Developmental Support Specialist and as an adult education instructor. He taught both Composition and Composition and Analysis as an adjunct faculty member, and for the last four years, Groves was a speech instructor for the TRIO Upward Bound Summer Program.
“I think the number of roles I’ve previously held provided a base of experience to lay the groundwork for me to move into this position,” Groves said. “I’m looking forward to working with students and faculty alike. I have been on both sides. Over the years, I have developed relationships with students and that is important to me. I enjoy that I can serve faculty more and be available to their needs and satisfy them.”
A native of Olney, Groves earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and management from Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tenn., and holds a master’s degree in communications from Southern New Hampshire University.
Groves assumed his new position Aug. 23 and is already looking at ways to enhance the ASC and the Anderson Library.
“We are trying to implement library services and streamline tutoring and remediation,” he said. “They are important services we offer, but they often get bogged down. We want to make those services more efficient for the students.”
As the semester gets underway, Groves wants to strengthen the ASC’s tutoring services including establishing a “Tutor Power Hour,” where tutors would be available on the same day, at the same time and location each week. The new service would allow students with a question to pop in and chat with a tutor.
Groves is currently working on the logistics with Phi Theta Kappa Advisor Amie Mayhall and Director of Instructional Services Sheri Gray.
“Once we get it set up, it will be a great service,” he said. “Other campuses have instituted something like this and folks have gotten excited about it. I hope to get something started soon.”
Groves is eyeing changes for the Anderson Library as well, making it a focal point on campus.
“I’d like to see more activity in the library,” he said. “We have some fun ideas to get more people here to enjoy and utilize this wonderful space we have. We want it to serve as not only a resource for students and faculty, but we have talked about doing things that will make it more appealing and inviting. I am excited about what the future holds.”
Groves envisions creating an atmosphere similar to the modern bookstore, a welcoming gathering spot where students can take a break or find a cozy place to study.
“We’re in the early stages, but we are looking at potentially getting a coffee cart here and having some community-style events in the library,” Groves added. “We do want to enhance the library’s profile. We want to see more students here and want to do all we can to encourage them to be here.”
