91tvӰԺ

Academic Peer Mentoring Expands in the Academic Success Center

The 91tvӰԺ continues to explore innovative learning methodologies to help retain students and provide them with a smooth and successful academic experience. The Academic Success Center (ASC) started two pilot programs this academic year, the Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) in Fall 2023 and the Academic Peer Mentoring program in Spring 2024. The PASS will be expanding out of its pilot phase for fall 2024.

Students learn differently from peers and a peer mentor experience enhances the faculty teaching in courses. The collaborative learning style encourages active learning by talking through concepts, asking questions, and promoting critical thinking and problem-solving.  Students tend to feel more comfortable and supported by a peer versus professional support.

In the PASS program, the professor identifies a former student who excelled in the course and would enjoy tutoring. That student retakes the course and works with fellow course takers in a group outside of the class or individually as needed.

The first-semester PASS was piloted in two courses. In fall 2024 it will be offered for Composition I, Professional Writing I, Organic Chemistry I, Intermediate Algebra, Mathematics for Liberal Arts, and Anatomy and Physiology I for Health Professionals.  These courses tend to have high Ds, Fs, and withdrawals and are ideal to have this extra support. A program coordinator will be hired to manage this expansion of peer support for students.

Dr. Adam Phillips, Assistant Professor of Instruction & Assistant Director of First-Year Writing, PASS faculty member for ENC 3250: Professional Writing commented, “The PASS Leader in my course was phenomenal. She was able to provide additional support in areas where students were having difficulty, which noticeably improved some students’ work. The additional support in the classroom allowed all my students to get more one-on-one time with a knowledgeable person.”

“The overall experience of being a PASS Leader has been extremely rewarding, and I have learned more than I could have ever expected. Without a doubt, I have been honored to create a positive impact on so many students as we serve as PASS Leaders—it is as fulfilling as it is has been a valuable lesson, and I wouldn't trade it for anything. It has been a pleasure to be a part of this program and team, and I look forward to continuing to make an impact and expand this program during the rest of my college years,” said Maria Ortiz, PASS Leader for ENC 1101: Composition I, a sophomore majoring in finance.

With one semester of the pilot completed, the Academic Peer Mentoring program is evolving as the team works on tweaking recruiting strategies, training, and connecting with campus partners.

Rio Lawrence, Academic Peer Mentor and Academic Assistant, junior majoring in psychology said, “Working as an Academic Peer Mentor this semester has been a very eye-opening experience. Getting to work with and help so many students of different majors has made me realize the importance of reaching out for help when it's necessary. There isn't one person that can't use at least a little bit of help, and it is fulfilling being the one people can go to for assistance.”

The ASC has 65- 70 undergraduate and Graduate Assistant tutors who assist other students in understanding course material and writing expression. Most of the students work as tutors and approximately 15 writing studio tutors support undergraduate and graduate students with brainstorming, outlining, organizing, revising, and drafting coursework. They are there to assist and teach students with their writing techniques.

91tvӰԺ has a partnership with Tutor Me which is an online 24/7 tutoring option for instructor to offer in the Canvas coursework platform for additional learning support.

Soon the ASC will add a Learning Development Facilitator to its team to focus on academic support for online learning. The goal of this position is to offer additional academic resources, tutoring, visual learning such as video for the online learner.

ASC will soon have data available to do a full review of the benefits of the PASS program to students.