Student Affairs literally steps outside the box with student service

Going on now through the first week of the fast-approaching Fall, 2011 semester, PTC's Student Affairs office is bringing student service to students -- literally! For a new student starting in the fall term, common items students might need include things like parking tags, book vouchers, and information about child care. These items and more are accessible right in front of the Student Affairs office; according to Nancy Mach, PTC's Dean of Student Affairs, it's about "bringing services students need directly to them."

Over the summer, the Student Affairs office kept busy with advising new students, administering placement testing, hosting Orientation events, and now, the department is assisting students with last-minute information they need to get their courses underway.

"These are items students need to address right away, and we will have the information in the main hall during the first few days of the semester," says Nancy Mach, Dean of Student Affairs. "To provide these items and answers students need right up front is one way we are able to provide top-notch student service," Mach explains.

The Student Affairs staff affectionately calls the setup in the hall the "One-Stop Shop" or OSS. The OSS debuted this fall term on Mon. Aug. 15 -- the week prior to the first week of classes. So far, the OSS already has served more than 100 students.

Photo at top: Mary Stachowiak, of PTC's Student Affairs office, assists automotive student Vincent Rude at the OSS.