the center for student support and success

The College is committed to helping students flourish academically, personally, and vocationally as they prepare to be Christlike community leaders. The newly established Center for Student Support and Success was created to enhance our students’ academic journeys and well-being. This new initiative will be a central hub for educational support, personal development, and faculty collaboration. The Center collaborates with services such as tutoring, academic coaching, study strategies, disability accommodation, Base Camp programming, and career preparation resources through the Vanek Center for Vocation and Callings. Faculty and staff are encouraged to connect with the Center to support student success through referrals and early intervention strategies.

 

 

Academic support

biology tutoring

Dates and Times: By appointment

Location: Pfeiffer 1st Floor

Email: biology@cofo.edu 

chemistry and physics tutoring

Dates and Times: By appointment

Location: Pfeiffer 3rd Floor

Email: chemistry@cofo.edu 

Computer Science - Open Computer Lab

Days and Times: 

Monday - Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. 

Friday - 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 

Saturday - 1:00 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. 

Sunday - Closed

Location: Plaster building room 307 and 309

More Information:  cstas@cofo.edu 

Computer Science student workers are available to assist students with questions and offer tutoring for Computer Science courses. 

Engineering Tutoring

Days and Times:  Tuesdays and Thursdays, 7:00 p.m.- 9:00 pm

Location:  White Engineering Computer Lab Room 101 and Collaboration Area 

More Information: bkorst@cofo.edu 

Tutoring can be arranged directly with student workers at the work station during regular working hours. 

Agriculture Welding Tutoring

Days and Times: Mondays, 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Location: White Engineering Building

English Language Learner (ELL) Academic Support

Days and Times: By Appointment

Location: Lyons Memorial Library

More Information: cwiley@cofo.edu 

Students can receive one-on-one help with reading, writing, speaking, and listening, as well as guidance on course content and academic expectations.

Language-based academic adjustments—such as extended test time or use of dictionaries—may also be available. The ELL Liaison connects students to key campus resources and serves as a contact for faculty and staff supporting ELL students in their academic and cultural adjustment.

Foreign Language Lab

Days and Times:  During the school day and some evenings

Location:  Jones building 3rd floor Room 303

More Information:  lambeth@cofo.edu

Students may use any of the four computers to do foreign language work.  Tutoring is also available for those needing extra help with Spanish courses.

Lyons Memorial Library

Days and Times:  

Monday - Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

Friday 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Saturday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. 

Sunday 2:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m.

More Information:  library@cofo.edu or Lyons Memorial Library

Lyons Memorial Library supports the curriculum of the College by providing resources in a variety of formats.  Students may take advantage of technology including computers, printers, and WiFi.

Mathematics Assistance Center (MAC)

Days and Times:  

Monday - Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Friday 7:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

Location: Pfeiffer Science Building, 2nd floor, room 223

More Information:  sbradshaw@cofo.edu          

The Math Assistance Center (MAC) is staffed by student workers and are available to assist students with questions and offer tutoring for Mathematics and Physics courses.

Test taking Strategies and Test Anxiety

Visit the College's Test Taking Strategies and Test Anxiety page for helpful tips.

Tutoring

More Information:  Course Instructor or Faculty Adviser

Students should attend every class and are encouraged to ask questions, to meet with the instructor at the first indication of trouble, and to seek out study groups. Students are assigned a faculty adviser to whom he or she may also go if further guidance is needed.

The Writing Center

Days and Times:  

Monday - Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 7:00 p.m.

Friday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Saturday and Sunday 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Location:  Jones building 3rd floor room 304

More Information:  twc@cofo.edu

The Writing Center offers Reader Response Sessions, 30-minute one-on-one sessions between a student and a peer writing assistant that give the student a chance to discuss his or her writing and receive feedback and suggestions.

Student support

 armstrong mcdonald clinic

Days and Times: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Location: Armstrong McDonald Clinic

More Information: clinic@cofo.edu or Armstrong McDonald Clinic

Medical services include providing routine care for minor illnesses and injuries, offering low-cost over-the-counter and prescription medications, facilitating affordable diagnostic testing, influenza vaccination, arranging transportation to local pharmacies and healthcare facilities, and athletic physicals for all athletes. Medical files are maintained for each student. The Armstrong McDonald Clinic is staffed by registered nurses. A local physician’s assistant is a part-time member of the staff, and the medical director is a board-certified physician. CoxHealth Hospital in Branson, four miles from the campus, is a full-service hospital available if additional diagnostics, evaluations, or higher levels of care are indicated. Students may obtain limited medical services free of charge, and medical supplies may be paid through the student’s account.

benevolence assistance

Days and Times: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Location: McDonald Administration Building - Student Support and Success

Email: hitchcock@cofo.edu 

The College offers financial assistance to students facing unexpected hardships through the Student Benevolence Fund. This support helps meet a variety of urgent needs during enrollment, including medical and personal expenses such as dental and vision care, prescriptions, counseling, academic accommodations, emergency travel, vehicle repairs, and postgraduate application fees.

Funded through employee payroll deductions, the program relies on referrals from faculty and staff who recognize student needs, though students may also self-refer. 

christian ministries

Days and Times: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Location: Christian Ministries 

More Information: campusministries@cofo.edu or Christian Ministries

Students are encouraged to attend weekly chapel services and Christian convocations, which present the gospel in relevant and meaningful ways. Additional Christian life opportunities—such as discipleship groups and ministry leadership—allow students to actively live out their faith, with guidance from dedicated faculty and staff.

Disability Support

Days and Times: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. 

Location: McDonald Administration Building

More Information:  hitchcock@cofo.edu or Students with Disabilities

Students with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations by contacting the Director of Student Support and Success at studentsupport@cofo.edu or 417-690-2398. Once appropriate documentation from a credentialed professional is submitted, the office will work with the student and coordinate with campus offices to determine and implement reasonable accommodations.

financial aid

Days and Times: Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Location: McDonald Administration Building - 2nd Floor

Email: financialaid@cofo.edu or Financial Aid Office

The Financial Aid Office is here to help students navigate FAFSA, as well as scholarship and grant applications. 

If something falls outside of regular financial aid—like medical bills, emergency travel, or other personal needs— students may be referred to additional campus resources, such as the Student Benevolence Fund or the Armstrong McDonald Clinic, to help get the support they need.

peer advising

Days and Times: By appointment

Location: McDonald Administration Building - Registrar

Email: registrar@cofo.edu

Peer Advising is a student-led support program designed to help new and continuing students navigate academic life and campus resources. Peer Advisors are upperclassmen who are trained to assist fellow students exploring a new major with course planning and goal setting. Peer Advisors offer friendly, relatable guidance from a student perspective.

student Counseling Center

Days and Times: Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Evening hours also available. Services are offered either in-person or via telehealth. 

Location: Christian Ministries building

More Information: scc@cofo.edu or Counseling Center

You will find the Student Counseling Center provides a variety of objective, nonjudgmental counseling services at no cost to you. The services you receive are the same type you would get visiting a professional counselor or relationship therapist off-campus.

Tilmon Fitness Center and Pool

Days and Times:

Sunday - Thursday 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.  

Friday 6:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m.

Saturday 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.

Email fitness_center@cofo.edu or CofO Fitness Center

The Tilmon Fitness Center provides students, faculty, and staff with various fitness and wellness resources. Facilities include strength machines, free weights, cardio equipment (treadmills, bikes, ellipticals, Stairmasters), a spin room, an upstairs stretching area, and functional training tools like kettlebells and medicine balls. Additional amenities include an indoor walking/running track, swimming pool, men’s and women’s saunas, and access to basketball and volleyball courts in Graves Gym. The Fitness Center supports the College’s mission of developing the whole person through health, discipline, and community wellness.

 

The Vanek center for vocation and callings

Days and Times: Monday - Friday; 8:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Location: Good Memorial College Center

Email: career@cofo.edu or Career Center 

The Vocation Center helps students build a clear, realistic plan for life after graduation. Through one-on-one career coaching, vocational assessments, and major exploration, students receive guidance in identifying their strengths, interests, and callings so they can make informed decisions about academic majors and future career paths. Throughout the year, the Vocation Center connects students directly with employers and graduate schools through two Career Expos, a Summer Job Fair, and a Ministry Expo.

Students also have access to an online platform with practical tools for creating polished resumes, writing strong cover letters, searching for internships and jobs, and building professional networks. The Vocation Center staff work closely with students to strengthen every part of the job search process—from personal branding on LinkedIn to developing confident interviewing and communication skills.

The Vocation Center provides a professional clothing bank for students located in Barrett and Mann Halls. If students need a quiet room or computer and internet access for job interviews, there are rooms available for student use in the Vocation Center.