After a tough go during the COVID-19 pandemic, the State University of New York system is hoping students can get a leg up on their education through a new center providing extra academic support.

The University at Albany is rolling out a new tutoring center.

“I feel like it's a lot more welcoming. Previously, we were kind of hidden in the back, in the lecture center,” said Niara Nichols, a UAlbany graduate student and tutor.

It’s called Learning Commons.

Rabi Musah, Learning Commons associate vice provost, described as “a venue for holistic tutoring and mentoring support, collaboration, socialization and studying in service to our students.”

A one-stop shop of sorts for academic support.

“To me, it’s more hands on,” said Teayanie, a UAlbany freshman studying biology, which means some chemistry courses. "It was challenging for me, so I was, like, this is college now, I need to be more on top of everything.”

Enter Learning Commons.

“The tutor in there, she’ll go over the lesson, but if you need help, she’ll help in a way that it's more understandable for you and everyone else in the classroom,” Teayanie said.

Having received a $2.5 million grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, the tutoring hub will specialize in science, technology, engineering and math or STEM.

“These youth have been through so much, and we know the stats we’re up against with so many under-represented populations in our STEM fields,” state Assembly Member Patricia Fahy said.

Something university leaders hope to reverse with Learning Commons, which will hopefully serve as a model for other higher education organizations.

“We are meeting our students right where they are to give them what they need in order to be successful,” UAlbany President Havidán Rodríguez said.