Learning Skills

Mount Holyoke College is committed to supporting students with learning disabilities and attention deficit disorder. In this regard, the primary focus of the Office of Learning Skills is to support students who have a documented learning disability and/or attention deficit disorder. Through one-on-one meetings, a support group, and an advanced assistive technology lab, students are encouraged to move towards independence by more fully understanding their strengths and challenges, by developing better academic skills, and gaining confidence in their own self-advocacy.

Prospective students and their parents are encouraged to contact John Body, the associate dean for learning skills, to discuss issues related to the student's strengths, challenges, and specific learning disability. A student's learning disability or attention deficit is not used as a factor in the admission process. Incoming students must register and submit documentation to the Office of the Associate Dean of Students. Documentation is not transferred from the admission office. Students must submit the Student Needs Form and have a professional submit the Clinician's Disability Certification Form.

Students already attending Mount Holyoke College can register with the Associate Dean of Learning Skills throughout the semester; however, accommodations are based on documentation of the learning disability and the student's learning profile. Using the documentation, the dean works with each student to determine appropriate and reasonable accommodations. Also, requests for accommodations must be timely in order to give faculty and staff lead time to put the accommodations into place. In other words, it is best to register with the dean and provide the documentation when you enter MHC, even if you do not need any accommodations at present. Then if you find you need support, the paperwork and documentation are already in place.

You can contact the Associate Dean for Learning Skills, Dr. John Body, by:

Email: John Body
Telephone: 413-538-2504