Returns and Renewals: Julie Rando
As ACM’s new Director of Learning Commons, Julie
15 ACCESS ACM / Reimagining Dreams
Rando spends a portion of her time trying to think like a
student. And then like a faculty member.
“It’s a simple question, but what best serves our students, community
members, and faculty right now?,” Rando explains.
Given the pandemic’s impact on college operations, fully understanding
their needs may take time. Fortunately, Rando knows a little something
about imagining the student mindset, as she’s most at ease working
directly with students. Prior to June, she was the Associate Director
of Admissions for Frostburg State University, having worked for the
institution for more than 15 years in the Admissions Office. Rando holds
both an MEd and BS in Mass Communications from FSU.
As a newly minted Trojan, she’s taken a newly created position that oversees
both the College Library and the Testing and Tutoring Center (See: Testing
and Tutoring Locations). From the outset, she’s straddling two seemingly
divergent worlds.
But the commonality is clear after speaking with Rando for a few
minutes; both the College Library and Tutoring Center are charged
with helping individuals construct new knowledge and develop critical
thinking skills, while the Testing Lab helps instructors quantify student
knowledge.
“Libraries can be intimidating spaces. How do we create a space where
students feel welcome the moment they enter? What approaches can we
take to help them feel comfortable whether they’re collaborating in groups
or exploring a new topic with a research librarian?,” Rando continues.
She talks about renewing her department’s commitment to its studentfirst
approach. She cautions against becoming a “bookless” library –
instead, she discusses how the College Library can be reimagined as an
inviting, multifunctional hub for digital and physical resources.
According to Rando, changes may include adding a work-study
student to act as an “Information Ambassador,” replacing some study
carrels with multi-purpose furniture, providing charging stations,
and possibly adding a Technology Bar.
While it’s hard to plan ahead during a pandemic, Rando looks to promote
the college’s Testing and Tutoring Center. With an increased number of
online and hybrid courses in the fall, students may need extra help. Students
will be encouraged to use in-person and virtual one-on-one tutoring while
staff expect an increase in the number of instructors requesting proctored
exams at the Testing Lab.
“Our plan, as a department, is be adaptable and flexible moving
forward. We’ll be listening to needs of our students and faculty and
finding new ways to exceed their expectations.”
Julie Rando
Director of Learning Commons
College Library Resources
• Appalachian Collection and Genealogical
Resources
• Janet Zastrow Cook-Willa Cather and Rare
Book Collections
• Library Conference and Study Rooms
(available for community use)
• Math Lab
• Reading and Writing Center (RAWC)
Testing and Tutoring Locations
~ Testing Lab, Humanities, Room 58
~ Tutoring Center, Humanities, Room 58
~ Computer Science, Technology, Room 163
~ Math Study Lab, College Library, Room 119
~ Reading and Writing Center, College Library,
Room 115
~ Science Study Lab, Science, Room 15
What’s a Testing Lab, exactly?
Instead of administering tests during in-person
classes or online, instructors may elect to have
their exams filed with the Testing Lab. Lab staff
provide testing to students, at their convenience,
within select time periods designated by their
course instructor. The Testing Lab provides makeup
exams, group exams, or special individual
testing. With its comfortable atmosphere and a
lack of time restrictions, students utilizing the
Testing Lab may experience less test-taking anxiety.
We’re taking a deep dive into what
inspires people, our students in particular,
to create meaning.” “