Meet Allison Laske
  
Allison S. Laske
  Assistant Director, Academic Services & Learning Resources

Greetings from Academic Services and Learning Resources at Holy Cross!

I hale from Upstate New York and have recently become a member of the Holy Cross family this 2009-2010 academic year.  Since my start at the college, Holy Cross has had open arms in accepting me, challenging me, and allowing me to continue my personal and professional growth. 

As the Assistant Director of Academic Services, I direct the Passport Program and also work with the Mentor Program.   

One of my passions is to help students find more success while at college.  By learning new, effective ways to study and complete academic assignments, students learn more about their own learning styles, obtain a higher level of success in and out of the classroom, and as a result, experience a greater sense of happiness throughout their collegiate experience.  I, myself, felt challenged during my own undergraduate coursework, but I know now had I been given the tools that I share with my students, I would have had more success and even would have enjoyed my courses a bit more too.

Throughout my experiences, I have learned that academic success is something that takes much more than just the hard work of one individual.  Reaching out and asking for help are the KEYS to success!  No matter how small or big the question or concern is, there are always people within the Holy Cross community who not only have an answer to your question, but will provide you support in navigating through the obstacle that has come your way.  It can be quite difficult to select courses, prepare for an upcoming cumulative final exam, or catch up on work that you missed due to an illness; all of these can be handled with ease when you let someone in and allow them to give a helping hand.  As I mentioned earlier, Holy Cross is a family and to make the most of your experience here, advocate for yourself and seek the advice of the wonderful support network that makes up this campus community.

Holy Cross is a very diverse and lively community which allows students and administrators to widen their network and become a part of several different cultural groups.  In my short time here, I have been a part of many diverse experiences that I did not have the chance to do prior to coming to Holy Cross.  The fulfillment and personal growth that these experiences have given me is something that came as an added bonus to my position within Academic Services.  These are the moments that I cherish with high regard and look forward to experiencing again with each incoming class of students!  I encourage all students who become a part of this community to be brave, ask for help, and appreciate the uncomfortable moments that you experience; for these are the moments where we grow the most, cherish forever and always bring a smile! 

~ Allison

Photo by John Buckingham