Learning Center sees leadership change

Bonnie Zelenak stepped down as director.

By Ettie Berneking

Published Oct. 23, 2007

After 30 years of service, The Learning Center founder Bonnie Zelenak has stepped down as the center's director.

Zelenak started The Learning Center in 1976 and retired this past September. The center provides academic support, including tutoring, as well as advising and instruction in reading, study skills and time management.

Phil Deming, former TRIO Community for Academic and Tutorial Support program director, is serving as center's interim director.

Deming, who was director of TRIO CATS for 16 years prior to his appointment as interim director of the center, said it is exciting to work with other campus departments and find out how to better support them.

"I'm able to reach out," he said.

Undergraduate Studies Vice Provost Jim Spain said he was impressed by Deming's efforts to associate The Learning Center with other departments across campus.

"Deming is taking this opportunity to try and build new strategic partnerships with other departments," he said.

Interim Student Success Center Director Carol Howald said the timing of Zelenak's retirement made it difficult for the position to be immediately filled.

Deming said he worked closely with Zelenak during the summer to prepare for what Deming described as a change in his role at the center. Zelenak, who Spain said had spent her time at MU building and improving the center, made sure she left the program running smoothly.

"Effective leaders leave their position so that when they do go, the program continues to grow," he said. "It would be a catastrophe if something you worked on for so long collapsed after you left."

With Deming serving as interim director, Howald is filling in for him as TRIO CATS director until a permanent replacement for Zelenak can be found.

Howald says she has less one-on-one time with students but is happy to do either job.

"This is definitely a change," she said.

The Learning Center might be in new hands but it seems to be running smoothly, Spain said.

"The transition of leadership went really well," he said.

Deming and Howald had similar sentiments about the success of the center after Zelenak.

Howald said the services offered by The Learning Center have not changed.

Few, if any, complaints have been voiced, Spain said.

"This is really a tribute to Zelenak," he said. "It speaks to the quality of her

leadership."