Cadets receive personalized instruction at the Academic Success Center

Cadet 3rd Class Olivia Cha works with faculty member Dr. Mary Hertz in a one-on-one extra-instruction lesson in the U.S. Air Force Academy Academic Success Center April 23, 2024. Cha, a Biology major, improved her grades after using the center’s services, and she is excelling academically. (Courtesy photo by Sam Hastings)

By Randy Roughton
U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications

U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Early in his first semester at the U.S. Air Force Academy Cadet 4th Class Joseph Anderson realized he needed help with a few classes. Anderson found the support he needed at the Academic Success Center. Not only did he receive assistance in his Chinese and computer science classes, but Anderson also honed his communication skills. He attributes his academic and personal growth to achieving one of his goals, being elected president of the Class of 2028.

“I initially felt I had to figure out things on my own,” Anderson said. “It wasn’t until I got to my lowest point that I realized I had to make time for the ASC if I truly needed help. I came to terms with the fact that greatness cannot be achieved alone. I’m proud of my growth.”

Individual and group instruction

At the Academic Success Center, cadets can find assistance for a variety of academic challenges. They can receive one-on-one and group instruction, academic advising and study resources. Cadets can learn to solve complex calculus problems or gain a deeper understanding of a chemistry experiment. International students for whom English is their second language can receive structured guidance and practice opportunities to improve their writing and read faster with higher comprehension. Still, others can develop learning strategies or learn how to better organize an essay or speech.

International cadets report in for their class in the U.S. Air Force Academy Academic Success Center April 23, 2024. The center plays a major role in helping with the transition to Academy academics for international students and first-year cadets. (Courtesy photo by Sam Hastings)

Offering cadets a ‘comprehensive learning center’

The Academic Success Center is located on the northeast ground level of Fairchild Hall. The center is open from 7:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Friday. The center offers classes during the academic day with additional support offered in the Quantitative Research Center, Writing Center and Public Speaking Lab from 4 to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday.

The ASC operates as the cadets’ “comprehensive learning center,” said Director Dr. Kerry McCaig.

“The cadets vote with their feet when they come to us for support,” McCaig said. “Our center helps them become more effective and efficient in all their subject areas. We serve all cadets at all points in their educational journey from rising stars to superstars. We help make them all superstars.”

The staff are experts in the arc of instruction

Staff accommodate more than 8,000 cadet appointments each academic year and foster academic excellence through personalized individual and group instruction. The training they offer is designed to advance clear communication, critical thinking, problem-solving and effective learning strategies. Many instructors teach in multiple departments throughout the Dean of Faculty and equip cadets to be thoughtful leaders and lifelong learners.

“Our instructors are highly trained subject matter experts who are also exceptional educators,” McCaig said. “We help cadets learn and solve concepts so they can tackle their own homework and problems that may yet be identified. We get at the root knowledge and resolve gap issues in foundational understanding.”

Cadet 4th Class Alese Banks shares her thoughts during group instruction in the U.S. Air Force Academy Academic Success Center April 23, 2024. The center plays a major role in helping cadets develop a high level of adaptability, resilience and resourcefulness. (Courtesy photo by Sam Hastings)

Helping cadets of all abilities and academic backgrounds

The Academy’s rigorous environment demands each cadet has a high level of adaptability, resilience and resourcefulness. All cadets can take advantage of the ASC where they can hone these skills. Even cadets in contention for prestigious graduate school scholarships use center services. The ASC halls are lined with photos of past cadets who earned Fulbright, Marshall, Rhodes and Truman Scholarships.

“Our cadets are young people with a curiosity to keep learning but insecure that they might not know as much as they need to,” McCaig said. “We take the cadets from wherever they are and help move them to the next level of excellence.”

Class of 2028 cadets work in the Academic Success Center Writing Lab April 23, 2024. The center offers personalized individual and group instruction designed to advance clear communication, critical thinking, problem-solving and effective study strategies. (Courtesy photo by Sam Hastings)

Building leaders of competence, confidence and character

Now that Anderson’s academic growth has helped him get elected class president, he’s eager to share his journey with other cadets. He wants any cadet struggling with academics to know support is available at the Academic Success Center. Cadets can achieve more than their perceived potential when they take ownership of their journey.

“As cadets, we live in a leadership laboratory,” he said. “You could get by if you don’t branch out and just let the Academy happen to you. But if you put your success back into your own hands by using the helping agencies and additional resources, you will be astonished by what you can accomplish. Becoming a leader of character is the standard, but at the Academy, we strive to be better than the standard. I think our military needs leaders of competence, leaders of confidence and leaders of character.”

For more photographs of the center, check out the Association of Graduates Flickr album.