The Mike Ilitch School of Business hosts ribbon cutting ceremony to celebrate the first year of the Student Engagement and Active Learning (SEAL) Lab

Student success is central to the mission of the Mike Ilitch School of Business, and this dedication was on full display during the Student Engagement and Active Learning (SEAL) Lab Ribbon Cutting Ceremony and anniversary celebration.

On Wednesday, August 12, Ilitch School faculty, staff, students, donors and Wayne State leaders gathered to celebrate a successful first year of the school's SEAL Lab, a centralized hub for academic support, skill development, and career readiness.

The SEAL Lab offers tutoring, certifications, and applied learning experiences, to help students strengthen academic performance while building and demonstrating in-demand skills.

At the ribbon cutting, Dr. Virginia Franke Kleist, Dean of the Ilitch School, commented on this milestone, "when we talk about student success in higher education, we often talk in numbers: retention rates, graduation rates, engagement metrics. And by every one of those measures, we firmly believe the SEAL Lab is on track to exceed expectations... What does student success look like in the SEAL Lab? It is the removal of barriers, whether that's access to technology, tutoring, or simply a quiet place to focus between classes. It also means plenty of opportunities to build practical skills and get hands-on learning."

Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs Dr. Christina Bloebaum also attended the ceremony and spoke about her commitment to academic excellence and success as she begins her tenure at Wayne State University.

"It's not just about this event that we're making possible, it's about making student success possible every day," said Bloebaum. "Wayne State is committed to student success...that's what this entire lab is about. That's what the university is about."

The event also included remarks from Vice Provost for Student Success, Support and Engagement Dr. Darryl Gardner, who spoke about the vision of the SEAL Lab as a place for students to receive academic and professional support, and where they can build community.

"When students are surrounded by peers, faculty, staff and professionals who share their interests and invest in their success, we strengthen not only their sense of belonging, but also their confidence, their networks, and their ability to translate their Wayne State Education into meaningful opportunity," said Gardner. "That is very much at the heart of our Student Success 2.0 initiative. As we build upon Wayne State's tremendous gains in student success, our next chapter is focused on ensuring that every Warrior has the relationships, experiences, supports, and opportunities necessary to thrive-from the moment they arrive through graduation and into their careers."

Mediha Dzanic, program coordinator for the SEAL Lab, talked about the impact she has seen in the first year of operation, and the impact this initiative has had on students.

"In our first year, the Lab welcomed nearly 3,000 student visits, provided nearly 500 sessions of tutoring appointments, drop-ins, and study group meetings, and brought students together through dozens of events. Students also dedicated hundreds of hours to building new technical and professional skills. These numbers demonstrate our growth," said Dzanic. "In the same way that 'Google it' has become shorthand for finding an answer, we want 'stop by the SEAL Lab' to become the natural response whenever a student needs support, direction, or a new opportunity. Students may not always know exactly what they need, but they should always know where to begin."

To further demonstrate student impact, two students-Farjana Begum and Travis Smart-who spent the last year working in the lab, helping connect classmates with resources and scheduling tutoring sessions, shared what the SEAL Lab meant to them.

"The SEAL Lab is a community. Whether someone is looking for support in finance, statistics, Excel, or simply isn't sure where to start, I know I can point them toward teammates like Alvaro or James, who are always willing to share their knowledge and encourage students to succeed," said Begum. "The SEAL Lab is about connecting students with resources, experiences, and people who can help them move forward. Those connections go both ways. While I've had the opportunity to support students, they've also had a lasting impact on me."

The SEAL Lab founders council-consisting of Mark Bertolini, Don Castleman, Fred Hessler, Michael Ritchie, Sue Unger, and Jim Vandenberghe-was also represented, with Hessler, Unger, and Ritchie in attendance. Ritchie '90, spoke about his time at the Ilitch School as a first-generation student, and the support he found throughout his time at Wayne State. He hopes to pay this support forward by helping the SEAL Lab become a space where students can receive guidance, encouragement, counseling, and help students find their vision for their future.

Following the speakers, attendees were invited to the ceremonial ribbon cutting ceremony outside of the SEAL Lab, and for a tour of the space, recently remodeled with new furniture thanks to a generous donation from American Interiors and MillerKnoll.

Learn more about the SEAL Lab, and how to get involved with this exciting student success initiative.