By Mario Montalvo /reporter
A new tutoring center on NE Campus aims to help students succeed by bringing them closer to faculty and staff.
Unlike other peer-driven centers on campus, the SOS center offers academic assistance to students directly from TCC faculty.
“This is faculty-driven, and faculty are volunteering their hours to tutor students,” said Leigh-Anne Regenold, academic support services coordinator, who has helped get the center off the ground.
Regenold said she hopes the SOS center will provide a neutral space where students can interact with instructors in a one-on-one setting or in small groups.
Staff from the English, math, history, government and music departments have already volunteered to share their expertise with students in the SOS center. The center hopes to get an ESL teacher too, she said.
The center is staffed with two coordinators, Sarah Jane Wright and Diane Pierce.
“One of our main goals is that we want to make students all over the campus aware that we are here to help,” Wright said. “We are here to encourage them, show them resources, find professors that can work with them.”
Mary Williams, world languages department chair, thinks the value of students working in study groups together is great.
“Inside class, you see people from one perspective, and outside of class, you see different aspects of people,” she said. “I think it’s good for teachers and students to have those different kinds of interactions.”
The center’s logo — a lifesaver with the words study, organize and succeed — was created by the local media and graphics departments.
Regenold hopes to incorporate the SOS logo into other tutoring centers on campus.
“We’re going to try and really get the students to see that if you need help, the SOS Center is here,” she said. “And we really want to get the idea out that SOS means help.”
Information about the SOS center is available online in the Clubs section of Campus- Cruiser under the Campus Life tab. There, students can find the tutoring schedule and hours of operation for the center. They also can see which instructors will be available to help and in what subjects.
The SOS center is located in NACB 1207A, just outside of the writing and skills center.
Students can call 817-515-6433 for more information or to set up an appointment.
