General | 2/17/2015 3:23:00 PM

Montclair, NJ - Montclair State University recently celebrated the opening of The Academic Center for Excellence (ACE) in the Panzer Athletic Center, a new academic space where student athletes can come prepare for classes, study, and seek out assistance on their academic work.
 
Montclair State's Director of Athletics, Holly Gera, showed her excitement about the opening. "The Academic Center for Excellence will be a new home for the area of Student Development for Athletes, directed by Tara Rienecker. In addition to hosting advising services and power hours, it will be a place for tutoring, workshops, compliance meetings and team activities."
 
Rienecker serves as the Coordinator of Student Development for Athletes at MSU, a somewhat unique position to a Division III athletic department. She coordinates the services for student-athletes at MSU and now she will oversee another unique feature to department- the Academic Center for Excellence.
 
Gera added, "When Tara became part of our staff 15 years ago, we envisioned a time when we would have our own space to foster academic excellence.  We are all very happy that this center has now become a reality thanks to the generosity of our donors."
 
Rienecker shared her thoughts on the opening as well, stating, "We are thrilled to open the first academic center for athletes on the MSU campus. I have been the Coordinator for Student Development for Athletes for the last 15 years and our dream of an academic center finally came to fruition."
 
She added, "After some generous donations from our donors at MSU and the Red Hawk Open Golf Outing, we enthusiastically opened our doors on Monday, February 16th. The Center for Academic Excellence or (ACE) will be a welcome addition to our academic support created for student-athletes.  It will give us the space and resources to further support the outstanding academic success our student-athletes display in the classroom."
 
And a great welcome addition it is.
 
The room is equipped with state of the art technology including two student use desktops in private work stations, a projection system with white board and smart board capabilities, and lastly, a 60-inch flat screen television for workshops and presentations. ACE also has multiple plug-in stations for student's laptops with access to moveable desk stations and over 25 seating options. ACE also has a private graduate intern office that can be transformed into another private tutoring area when not in use. The modern design of the center provides a comfortable and professional working environment where student-athletes can learn and grow in their educational experience.