Clark State Community College broke ground on the Karen E. Rafinski Student Center November 14 at 2 p.m. on the Leffel Lane Campus.

"Dr. Karen Rafinski led Clark State for 16 years and oversaw growth in students, programs, facilities and two branch campuses," said Jim Doyle, chair, Clark State Board of Trustees. "Creating a student center dedicated to fostering relationships and engagement with the College was her final vision for the Leffel Lane Campus."

The Karen E. Rafinski Student Center will connect Rhodes Hall with the LRC and house a new bookstore, state-of-the-art food service, dining facilities and lounge space for students to study and relax between classes. The Student Center will be 17,620 square feet.

In addition to this new construction, the bottom floor of Rhodes Hall will be renovated to create a Student Success Center which will bring together support services to help students achieve their academic goals.

"This renovation will enable all of Clark State's student services to more easily work together to provide a holistic support system that encourages academic success and ultimately graduation," said Dr. Jo Alice Blondin, president, Clark State Community College. "We are focused on the success agenda outlined by the State and excited to create even more synergy and collaboration between our students, faculty and staff."

The 15,223 square foot area will bring together the Office of Accessibility Services; Student Support Services; advising; counseling; placement testing; tutoring; group study spaces and meeting rooms; and academic support labs for math, reading, writing, language and communication.

The $7.4 million project is being funded through state capital appropriations ($3.7 million) and College funds ($3.7 million). Work will be completed by Empire Building Co., LLC, general contractor; The Collaborative, Inc., architect; Griffith Sheet Metal, HVAC; Roger Storer & Son, plumbing; Ohio Electric Service, electric; and Bryce Hill, concrete, block and brick.