Drake Center for Academic Support
The Drake Center for Academic Support (DCAS) encourages students to make use of academic support. Using academic support resources helps students clarify, elaborate, or improve their approach to assignments, and often gives students more self-confidence in their ability to meet the expectations set out by their professors. The DCAS is staffed by faculty and professional staff who are trained to work with students who learn differently. Whether students wish to schedule a one-on-one appointment, work independently in a structured study environment, or work independently with added prompting for sustaining attention, the DCAS is enthusiastic about meeting student needs.
Types of Support
Writing, Reading, and Study Skills Support
- One-on-one sessions of 30 to 60 minutes per day with experienced Landmark College faculty or staff.
- Support with all aspects of writing, organizing time and materials, active reading/volume reading, critical thinking/reading, note taking/revision, test preparation/taking, and strategizing for academic success
Educational Technology
- One-on one support with Kurzweil, text to speech software
- One-on-one support with Dragon, Naturally Speaking, speech to text software
- One-on-one support with applications that support time management, active reading, research skills, and test preparation
Independent Work Support
Students often find that working independently in the DCAS helps them motivate, persist, and complete tasks especially in an environment where everyone is serious about completing class assignments.
Independent Work Support Plus Prompting/Guided support
Students who benefit from having external reminders for attention and focus find that working independently with a staff member prompting them when attention wanders is helpful in staying on task and completing work.
Role of DCAS
- To help students improve and refine their academic skills.
- To help students practice collaborative communication.
- To use a developmental approach in support sessions.
- To support students in increasing their independence and confidence.
- To help students practice self-advocacy.
The Drake Center for Academic Support is located in the East Academic Building on the 1st floor.
Hours during Fall & Spring Semesters
Monday–Thursday 11:30 a.m.–9:30 p.m.
Friday 11:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
Sunday 6:30 p.m.–9:30 p.m.
Appointments can be scheduled by going to the front desk in the DCAS, calling 802-387-6829, or emailing CAS@landmark.edu.
Questions?
Sandy Bower
DCAS Manager
Office: EAB 103
sbower@landmark.edu
802-387-6792
Sandy Bower has a M.A.T., ESL, from St. Michael’s College, a B.A. from Hood College, and is a certified Wilson Reading trainer. She has worked at Landmark College for over 20 years in various academic capacities: as a Manager and Coordinator of Academic Support, a DCAS faculty support person, an instructor of First-Year and Reading and Study Skills classes, a Wilson Reading trainer, an Academic Advisor and an Academic Tutor.
Other Academic Support Centers
These academic support centers, staffed by Landmark College faculty and staff, provide academic assistance and skill development for students outside the classroom.