Record number of students using academic services

Sydney Gales

Staff Writer

The Center for Student Development has noticed an increase in the use of academic services provided to students.

“I really, really hope the students will have the mindset that tutoring and academic support services are not a last resort,” said Mark Bowles, director of academic services.

Students have access to departmental help sessions, one-on-one tutoring, writing help and academic coaching through academic services in the Center for Student Development.

Last semester the center offered a total of 1,894 tutoring sessions through both the writing center and other tutoring services. They have also seen an increase in individuals taking advantage of academic coaching.

Departmental tutoring labs are offered in math, chemistry and biology because of the influx of requests that are received for these areas. For other subjects or if there are scheduling conflicts, one-on-one tutoring is offered.

The writing center is located on the top floor of the Bud Robinson building, and they offer assistance in anything from learning how to format a paper to making final edits. While they do offer appointments, they also have a set weekly schedule where students can walk in and get assistance from one of the writing tutors.

“I kind of wish that I had taken advantage of the writing center when I was a freshman, just because it’s really helpful to get another person to talk it through with and to kind of point you in the right direction,” said Corianna Chauncy, a writing center tutor.

If you can not make it into the writing center, you can also send your papers to writingservices@trevecca.edu and have your paper reviewed by one of the tutors on staff.

One-on-one tutoring sessions and writing center appointments can be requested through the academic services page on the My Trevecca portal. Students will get paired with a tutor if one is available for their particular class and they can set up meeting times directly.

While they have a staff of 112 tutors, they are always looking for more. In order to broaden not only the classes tutoring is offered for, but also to increase the number of bilingual tutors they have.

Students interested in being a tutor need to pass a class that they would like to tutor for with a B or higher and either be recommended by a professor or talk to Bowles directly.

The center also offers academic coaching, an option for those who do not necessarily need assistance with content.

“Academic coaching is like overall study skills focused. So learning how to take notes, learning how to listen in class, and learning how to study” said Sierra Jones, communications coordinator for the Writing Center, who also serves as an academic coach and one-on-one tutor.

Further information can be found through the Academic Services page on My Trevecca or by contacting Bowles at mabowles@trevecca.edu.