The Student Achievement Center, also known as the SAC, is a quiet space on campus to sit down, plug in your earphones, and focus on finishing assignments or studying for your next test.
This year, returning students may notice a few changes to the room. These improvements were implemented by Students for Sustainable Change, a team that aims to make effective policy changes in the school.
“We wanted to redo the SAC to make it feel more enticing to students and make it last,” junior SSC member Sean Sirhan said. “Our goal was really to make the SAC more of a place where students can study and give them more motivation.”
The team was responsible for selecting a new layout for the SAC, so they brought in comfy chairs and set up ambient lighting among other new features. Now, the fluorescent ceiling lights are replaced by warm, dim lamps that adorn the neatly arranged desks in the center of the room. New beanbags lie against the wall, inviting students to sit down and relax. A desk against the right wall holds all the stationary students need to succeed in their learning.
In addition to the various changes to the SAC, Tianjia Jin has joined Pinewood as an academic support specialist. Referred to as TJ on campus, Jin is a change that positively impacts the room as well.
“Unfortunately, there’s still a stigma around needing extra support in academics,” Jin said. “I want to help shift that mindset by encouraging students to seek help and using resources as a sign of strength.”
Working alongside Jin is Jyoti Sicina, the Director of Upper Campus Learning. Both Jin and Sicina had an active role in the renovation of the Student Achievement Center.
“[Jin] is supporting students in a new way, which is really wonderful, and so my job is to support her in this new student-facing role,” Sicina said.
So far, the renovation to the SAC seems to be effective, as more students are using the space.
“It looks like it’s working,” Sicina said. “Numbers are going up…I think the vibe is good.”
