Brenna Truax knows firsthand how meaningful student support can be – at Ohio State Mansfield, she’s helping students grow academically and professionally, like others helped her as an Ohio State student.
What began as a student job at the Conard Learning Center grew into a leadership role, where Brenna oversaw the very team that once supported her. As the coordinator of the Conard Learning Center, she brought her passions for English, professional writing and student success full circle.
The Conard Learning Center at Ohio State Mansfield provides a variety of academic support services and resources, giving students the opportunity to maximize academic performance and success in the classroom.
“I believe the Conard Learning Center has the power to be truly transformative,” Brenna explained. “The Ohio State Mansfield campus’s close-knit atmosphere, paired with the global reach of Ohio State’s resources creates a unique space for students to take advantage of endless opportunities and be set up for long-term success.”
Brenna led the development and implementation of strategic initiatives that expanded tutoring access, while also increasing professional development opportunities for student employees. From her leadership, the center continues to evolve as a dynamic resource, transforming the learning environment into a place where every student has mentorship, leadership opportunities and hands-on experience.
After leading the Conard Learning Center for more than six years, Brenna advanced her Ohio State career by becoming a student support specialist for Ohio State Online where she continues to enhance the student experience.
From Learner to Teacher
As former coordinator of the Conard Learning Center, Brenna’s primary focus was on the writing center where she helped train and lead a team of student tutors.
“What I love about the Mansfield campus is that I had the opportunity to sit down with each of my tutors and work on their skills because teaching writing is hard,” Brenna said. “We have a lot of really intelligent students, and my goal is for them to leave understanding their strengths and how they can leverage those to help others, not only in the center, but as they transition into the professional world.”
Brenna, who was once a tutor herself, mentored 30 student tutors at the center, helping them grow as skilled educators. With first-hand experience, she is committed to challenging tutors and unlocking their potential because she has seen the impact the center can have on their future careers.
“I always want tutors to come with their questions, even if they are in the middle of working with a student,” she shared. “Our student population is so multifaceted that you not only learn the fundamentals of reading and writing at the center but also soft skills such as communication which carry through their professional careers.”
Creating Success
The Conard Learning Center (CLC) is designed to provide a dynamic learning environment where students can maximize academic performance and success in the classroom. It provides a variety of academic support services and resources which Brenna, alongside the director, oversaw.
“The CLC provides learning opportunities for not only students but also our student workers,” Brenna said. “When I came into this role full time, I realized that we have the opportunity to impact our student workers professionally as well as academically.”
Drawing on her experience as a student worker, Brenna led several key initiatives to improve tutoring services. She developed a new system that allowed students to schedule tutoring appointments in advance and ensured a smooth transition to virtual support during the COVID-19 pandemic. Additionally, she pioneered an asynchronous writing submission platform to expand access for students. Her most impactful contribution was creating training materials designed to instruct and engage student tutors.
“I recognized that our workers were learning how to be a student and also needed to learn how to be a tutor at the same time,” Brenna said. “I wanted to create resources for students to compartmentalize their work and have easy communication.”
Community Support
What started as a student position for Brenna Truax led her to a community that feels like home. With the encouragement of her leader, Andrew Mueller, Brenna stepped into a role that drew on her passion for writing to create a space where students can grow as leaders, learners and educators.
“I found myself coming back to the university through the support of my supervisor who encouraged me to apply for a temporary position that turned into a full-time role,” she explained. “Being able to work with my supervisor has been a great fit, and we are able to leverage our different skills together to better support students. His mentorship has completely shaped my professional career.”
Brenna’s journey is a testament to the power of mentorship, collaboration and finding the right community. At the Conard Learning Center, she continued to uplift others, proving that with the right support students can become inspiring leaders.
“At the university we talk a lot about the Ohio State mission, and when you choose to support that mission, you realize you have a responsibility to support the student population entirely,” Brenna said. “The CLC lines up with Ohio State’s mission perfectly, and I love being a part of a community that helps students achieve their goals.”
Ohio State Shared Values in Action
Throughout her career, Brenna has consistently embodied Ohio State’s Shared Values, leaving a lasting impact on tutors, students and colleagues.
Her leadership has driven process improvements, inspired students, created a collaborative learning and professional development environment, and enhanced the overall effectiveness of the Conard Learning Center, earning her a 2024 Distinguished Staff Award.