“If this had happened when I was living in the dorms, I probably would have been happier,” Hawkins said. “Everything’s so centralized. This center is a great way to meet people.”

The River Trail Neighborhood Engagement Center held its grand opening Monday night in McDonel Hall.

The center’s green halls wrap around the McDonel Hall Kiva, guiding students to areas where they can receive both academic and physical assistance.

The center has academic advising services for students, including a math tutoring space and a writing center, as well as a community kitchen and a student health clinic.

It now is the fifth center on campus, following the opening of other centers in Hubbard Hall, Holden Hall, Brody Square and the Union.

“Our goal is really for student academic success,” said Jodi Hancock, director of the River Trail Neighborhood Engagement Center. “We are bringing services here to where students live for their academic and physical benefit.”

Hancock said in addition to the academic help centers, the center will offer yoga and zumba classes to students, and study spaces, such as computer lounges, to create an academically supportive environment for students.

“In the old days, everyone used to have to go to Wells Hall for math help,” Hancock said. “Now, you can be doing your laundry downstairs and see a bunch of students around you finding help from tutors.”

Hancock estimated between 500 and 1,000 students attended the opening event which offered students a tour of the new center, tarot card readings, a photo booth, henna tattoos, crafts, chair massages and caricature paintings.

Laughing with her friends about the picture she just picked up from the photobooth, Japanese sophomore Tiara Harris, a McDonel Hall resident, said she was impressed by Monday’s festivities and the new engagement center.

Harris said she looks forward to using the center for non-academic purposes.

“I plan on using the TVs and different video games here,” Harris said. “But I think they need more TVs.”

Students in attendance were able to participate in a drawing for the grand prize of a basketball signed by Tom Izzo, as well as smaller prizes such as T-shirts, if they visited 10 resource desks at the event.

Hancock said although the grand opening was Monday night, the River Trail Engagement Center opened for use during the fall semester and was well utilized, with about 50 to 60 students using the facilities every night.

Finance sophomore Jiawei Wen said he is excited to take advantage of the academic support the new engagement center offers.

“I’m glad I won’t have to go to Hubbard (Hall) for academic advising anymore,” Wen said.