The document outlines the Learning Centers of Excellence (LCE) program developed by NCLCA to promote standards of excellence and encourage centers to enhance student learning. It details the evaluation framework consisting of seven categories including programs and services, organizational framework, and funding, among others. Additionally, it includes activities for center professionals to align their practices with the established learning center criteria.

1. The Road to Becoming a
Center of Excellence
Lisa D’Adamo Weinstein
Laura Sanders
M. Elaine Richardson
NCLCA Subcommittee for Learning Centers of Excellence Project

2. LCE Rationale
The LCE program was developed by NCLCA to:
• Promote professional standards of excellence for learning
centers
• Recognize the need for flexibility and inclusiveness in
meeting the standards
• Encourage centers to develop, maintain and assess quality
programs and services to enhance student learning
• Honor the history of established and unique centers
• Celebrate the outstanding achievements of centers that meet
and exceed these standards

3. Developing the
Learning Centers Of Excellence Program
Inspired by the works of Frank Christ, Council on
Advancement of Standards in Higher Education, and
John Gardner, NCLCA has developed seven major
categories and subsets of those categories by which
centers will be evaluated.
● Christ, F. L. (2009). Best and Promising Practices for Learning Support
Centers: A Handout for Workshop at NCLCA Conference in Golden, CO on
October 3, 2009.
● Council on Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) website
to review and purchase the standards -
http://www.cas.edu/index.php/standards
● Model for the Centers of Excellence was Institutions of Excellence in the
First College Year - http://www.jngi.org/institute/past-initiatives/
institutions-of-excellence-in-the-first-college-year/

4. Seven Major Categories for Evaluation
• Programs and Services (10%)
• Organizational Framework (20%)
• Academic Integrity & Learning Environment
(10%)
• Funding, Resources and Design (10%)
• Staff and Professional Development (15%)
• Promotion and Public Relations (15%)
• Assessment and Evaluation (20%)

5. Programs and Services (10%)
• Describe how your center meets the criteria of the
NCLCA Learning Center definition
• Provides interactive academic spaces
• Reinforces and extends student learning
• Effectively uses physical and/or virtual environments
• Provides a variety of comprehensive support services and
programs
• Enhances student academic success, retention, and
graduation
• Aligns with best practices of student learning theory and
addressing student learning needs
• Fosters critical thinking, metacognitive development, and
academic and personal success

6. Small Group Activity
• Make a list of the programs and services
in your center and share with your group.
• How do these fit with the NCLCA
definition of a Learning Center?

7. Organizational Framework(20%)
• MISSION STATEMENT
• Mission statement is in alignment with division and institutional
mission
• Regular review process for the mission statement
• Mission statement is appropriate for the student population
• LEADERSHIP
• The director has the appropriate blend of professional
degrees, certifications and work experience
• Other center professionals have appropriate blend of
professional degrees, certifications and work experience
• Learning center professionals are represented on
campus/university-wide committees

8. Small Group Activity
• Discuss the mission statement for your
center in your group.
• Discuss the requirements for your center
director and other personnel.

9. Academic integrity and learning environment
(10%)
• ETHICS AND POLICIES
• All staff members are trained on ethical practices and institution
policies
• Learning Center employees respect student privacy and
confidentiality
• Scholarly integrity and academic honesty is upheld
• DIVERSITY
• Center staff are sensitive to needs of diverse populations
• Academic support needs of diverse student groups are
considered when planning programs
• All staff members provide fair and impartial academic support for
all students and promote a harassment free environment

10. Small Group Activity
• Share ideas in your group about how your
center staff is trained on ethical practices,
institutional policies, FERPA training, etc.
• Discuss how your center addresses diversity
and assures the needs of your targeted
student population are being met.