The Helen and Arthur E. Johnson College of Nursing and Health Sciences has launched its new Human Anatomy and Physiology Center, located in the Hybl Center. This space, which opened its doors this spring, provides students with peer-led tutoring Monday through Friday with walk-in support.
Through listening to student feedback and with the hard work and dedication of Sabine Allenspach, Johnny De La Cruz, Dr. John Frerichs, Hollis Morgione, and Andrew Subudhi, the center became a reality. It operates on a walk-in basis, ensuring students have access to support whenever they are available, whether it be for five minutes or an hour.
One of the primary objectives of the center is to improve student retention and comprehension in anatomy and physiology courses, which are often challenging due to their content-heavy nature. By offering peer-led tutoring, students receive guidance from fellow classmates who have successfully navigated the same courses. This approach fosters a collaborative learning environment, making complex concepts more approachable.
In addition to aiding student comprehension, the center also benefits student workers who serve as tutors. These students gain valuable experience, strengthen their resumes, and earn income while helping their peers succeed. The center also reflects UCCS’s commitment to student-driven initiatives, as student feedback played a key role in shaping its design and functionality.
“We just had an idea because it was from student feedback that they loved the Excel Science Center, but since we moved to the Hybl Center it’s almost like it was so separated that it would be nice having something here for the students. When we started with open lap for anatomy in this building, it was primarily focused on lab. We wanted something for students to also talk about lecture content, because lab is just one portion of our course. We wanted to emphasize that we were supporting them in lab, how can we support them in lecture?” said Allenspach, emphasizing the support for students.
The Human Anatomy and Physiology Center is designed to accommodate various learning styles, emphasizing multimodal learning—a technique that incorporates visual, auditory, and hands-on methods to enhance student comprehension. The study space includes anatomical models, whiteboards, and even free coffee to create a comfortable and effective study environment.
Students can use whiteboards to sketch anatomical structures, reinforcing what they learn in class through visual repetition. This method helps students grasp complex material by engaging different senses, making it easier to retain information. One UCCS alumnus generously donated anatomical models and a complete skeleton.
In just a few months of operation, the center has already been growing, with students stopping by daily. The real mission of the lab is to pass on support through the college for students. They want students to feel supported by leadership, faculty, and peers. They hope that through the center, students can expand their learning methods and have fun with what they are doing.
“It was something I really wanted for the students because it’s about support. It’s something we need to do for retention and success of students. But it also gives joy to the students when they know there is support. We are not letting them hang. No, we as a department, we are supporting you,” said Allenspach.
The Human Anatomy and Physiology Center is located in rooms 328 and 332 in the Hybl Center.