In support of the Mission of Trocaire College, the role of the Palisano Learning Center is to provide students with the tools for strategic learning and skills fundamental to college success and beyond. Its goals are to promote an environment that maximizes student learning and to support the instruction of faculty.
The Palisano Learning Center (PLC) offers students a variety of academic support services. The PLC has a computers and Wi-Fi access for: writing papers, internet research, educational software use, web-based learning, and other learning activities. An open Health Sciences Lab, equipped with different models of the body and its systems, is also available for student use. Along with academic program-related materials and study guides, and self-guided study aids, the PLC offers workshops, small group instruction, mentoring, peer tutoring, and group study services in all academic fields. Students who want academic reinforcement in a particular course may request a tutor or academic coach.
Tutoring and Academic Coaching Services Offered
Click here for Fall 2017 Online Tutoring Instructions
Free tutoring services are offered as one-to-one and in group settings by professional tutors, peer tutors, and academic coaches. Professional tutors are degreed in the academic subject(s) or skill(s) they tutor. Peer tutors are fellow students; they meet certain academic standards to tutor in a particular subject or academic program area. Academic coaches are degreed professionals; they meet certain academic standards and provide assistance in general learning and study strategies such as note-taking, test-taking, time management, and information technology.
Tutoring is offered, but not limited to, the following subjects:
- accounting
- anatomy and physiology
- biology (human biology)
- chemistry
- English/writing
- health information technology
- information technology
- math
- medication essentials
- nursing
- philosophy
- preparatory physics
- psychology
- radiologic technology
- sociology
- surgical technology
Personal and academic assistance is provided by an academic coach for students on academic probation. Coaching sessions emphasize critical problem solving and the students’ self-assessment of academic, social, and personal issues that impede their academic progress.
Requesting Services
The Palisano Learning Center periodically produces a handout listing tutors and academic coaches. Appointments can be made on a drop-in basis or can be scheduled by contacting the PLC at 716.827.2425 or at palisanolearningcentermail@trocaire.edu for any subject.
Becoming a Peer Tutor
The PLC is always seeking talented peer tutors. One of the advantages of peer tutoring is helping the achievement of fellow students. Peer tutors also develop better learning skills when they facilitate the learning of others. Students can apply to become a peer tutor and tutor in subjects they have earned at least a grade of 3.0 or higher.
Testing
The Palisano Learning Center provides accommodation and placement testing services. All testing is facilitated by request/appointment only.
Students registered with the Office of Accessibility Services seeking to utilize approved testing accommodations must complete the Accommodation Testing Request Form via the Student Portal at least 5 days prior to the test.
Testing Policies
In order to enforce the highest level of academic integrity while administering exams, the PLC requires that test-takers adhere to the following guidelines:
- Students should be arrive to the PLC at least ten (10) minutes prior to the scheduled start time of your test.
- A photo ID is required in order to sign in to take the test.
- The following items* are not allowed in the testing area :
• electronic devices
• bags
• notebooks/books
• purses
• jackets
• other personal belongings.
*(Unless permitted by a course instructor) - All materials, including scrap paper, must be returned to the proctor upon completion of the exam.
- In order to uphold academic standards, test-takers may not leave the testing site during the examination and will forfeit the ability to complete their test in so doing.
- If a student will be late or unable to attend at the scheduled test time, please inform the PLC as soon as possible.
- If a proctor suspects that a test-taker is cheating, the test will be stopped and confiscated and the incident will be reported For Current Students with Academic Accommodations.
Prospective and incoming students take the online ACCUPLACER® placement test and computer literacy test. Prospective RN students take the TEAS (Test of Essential Academic Skills) Test. The PLC provides proctored services for all tests.
How to Schedule a Placement Test
Students will be asked to take a placement test prior to registration of classes. Please call the Office of Admissions at 716.827.2545 for more information and/or to schedule an appointment for testing or contact via e-mail at info@trocaire.edu.
Workforce Development (ie. Phlebotomy, EKG) requires prospective students to take a reading comprehension test prior to enrollment. To schedule this test, please call 716.827.2521
TEAS TESTING
Prospective and current students needing to take the TEAS test may schedule an appointment through the following link during the Fall 2017 semester:
Additional TEAS Testing Resources
ACCUPLACER Information
Visit these websites to prepare for the accuplacer placement test:
Click on Free ACCUPLACER Practice to find: Sentence Skills Practice – Part 1, Sentence Skills Practice – Part 2, Reading Comprehension Practice Test – Part 1, Reading Comprehension Practice Test – Part 2, Accuplacer Elementary Algebra Practice.
http://www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/accuplacer/
http://www.studyguidezone.com/pdfs/accuplacerteststudyguide.pdf
http://www.testprepreview.com/accuplacer_practice.htm
For additional information regarding accommodation and placement testing, please contact Claudia Lesinski at lesinskic@trocaire.edu or 716.827.2553.
Other Academic Support Services
The Palisano Learning Center is currently expanding its collection of health science study aides for student use. Students also have access to an open anatomy and physiology lab where they can study the physical form of the human anatomy using various learning modalities. Tactile learning is especially emphasized as students have the ability to assemble and disassemble parts of the human anatomy models to examine. The PLC offers individualized sessions and workshop sessions on academic skills development focusing on such topics as test-taking, time-management, overcoming test anxiety, and TEAS and ACCUPLACER test preparation.
Russell J. Salvatore School of Hospitality & Business Location Services
All services offered by the PLC are available by request for students who are participating in academic programs or attending classes at the Russell J. Salvatore School of Hospitality & Business location. Students should contact the center at palisanolearningcentermail@trocaire.edu or 716.827.2425 to request services.
Trocaire College Rachel R. Savarino Library
The library at Trocaire College provides a pleasant place to study, do research, or just spend some casual free time.The collection contains audiovisual materials, books, ebooks, journals, magazines and newspapers. The library provides Internet-accessible computers available for educational research and wireless access and serve the Trocaire College community, the Sisters of Mercy, students from other educational institutions and community members within the Western New York area. Librarians are available to assist users with their research needs, electronic database access and individual and group training on searching the internet.
Contact
Palisano Learning Center
Main Campus, Room 113
360 Choate Avenue
Buffalo, NY 14220
Hours
Monday – Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
*Hours of operation vary during Holidays, Easter Break, summer, and campus closings.
Meet The Staff
Bridget Hodges, M.S.
Director, Palisano Learning Center and TOP (HEOP)
Main Campus, Room 114
716.827.2425
Jonathan Hudack M.S. Ed.
Associate Director, Palisano Learning Center and TOP (HEOP)
Main Campus, Room 113
716.827.2562
Claudia Lesinski
Student Service Advisor for Learning Center
Main Campus, Room 113
716.827.2553