Students recognized for supporting 849 students last year and earning certifications

The Alvernia University Academic Success Center named the peer tutors for the 2024-2025 academic year. Peer tutors offer a wide range of support including in-person and online as well as individual or group sessions, supplemental Instruction (SI) for challenging courses, study groups, and extended test review sessions.

"Our Peer Tutors embody Alvernia's mission of 'knowledge joined with love'. Each day, the tutors patiently solve problems alongside students who want guided practice. In addition to explaining complex concepts, Peer Tutors also build up students' self-confidence," said Director of Academic Support Services, Carla Mannix. "Our motto in the Academic Success Center is 'Partners in Your Academic Journey.' The Peer Tutors equip students with the skills needed to succeed and encourage them with meaningful praise. Peer Tutors routinely go above and beyond their work-study job, creating study aids that students can use independently and sometimes changing their schedules to accommodate student needs."

In the 2023-24 academic year, the ASC Peer and Professional Tutors supported 849 unique students, conducting 5974 appointments, including writing support, study groups, and academic coaching from undergrad to Ph.D. Students who worked with a subject or writing tutor earned an overall mean GPA of .4 points higher than students who did not use any academic support service.

"I wanted to use my knowledge to help other students succeed in their studies. It feels less daunting to meet with a fellow student than a professor, so knowing that I can be a source of knowledge and comfort to a student is incredible," said Master of Science in Occupational Therapy candidate Lauren Janson, who has been a peer tutor since January 2023. "Completing my CRLA certification was long and challenging, but definitely worth it. I feel more and more confident in my tutoring abilities with every training and session."

To earn Level 1 certification, tutors complete at least 10 hours of training and conduct at least 25 hours of tutoring. Training topics include learning theories, communication skills, and academic integrity. They are observed and receive feedback on their performance.

"As a peer tutor, I've gained valuable communication and leadership skills, " said Master of Science in Occupational Therapy candidate, Reilly Enos, who has been a peer tutor since August 2022. "I've learned how to break down complex concepts into more digestible pieces, which not only helps the students I tutor but also refreshes my memory of courses I have taken in the past. It allows me to actively prepare and teach content that may reappear in my academic or professional career. As an occupational therapy student, I have been fortunate enough to transfer my skill of breaking down complex concepts into digestible pieces in my patient interactions to enhance patient understanding!"