Tutoring Overview

• Newman offers a combined team of peer tutors and professional tutors to support student learning across courses and related academic needs.
• Peer tutors can help with course content and practical next steps beyond academics (e.g., internships, resumes, and career pathways).
• Example scenarios include a business major taking personal finance (ECON-related) or a student wanting guidance on what it’s like to major in nursing or health science and preparing for clinicals.
• Tutors can assist with both content understanding and real-world application of what students are studying.

Peer Tutors and SALT

• All peer tutors are part of SALT (Academic Leadership Team), and students may hear references to a SALT tutor.
• SALT tutors can address questions about majors (e.g., nursing, health science) and connect students with relevant experiences (e.g., clinical prep).
• Peer tutors are valuable study partners and group study leaders because they have completed the specific course with an A grade and can guide the group effectively.
• Students are encouraged to bring a friend for group studies and to spread the word about tutoring.

What a tutor can help with

• Content-specific help for current courses.
• Guidance on internships, resumes, and career planning for degree goals (e.g., business majors).
• Clarity on what it’s like to major in certain fields (e.g., nursing, health sciences).
• Assistance with questions about major requirements and course pathways (e.g., “What is my path as a business major?”).

Study partnerships and group study

• Peer tutors can serve as group study leaders to improve group dynamics and learning outcomes in study groups.
• They can help reduce wasted study time by providing structured guidance and explanations.
• If students prefer, they can study with a tutor in a group setting; this can enhance learning efficiency and understanding.

Tutoring access: no appointment needed

• You do not need to make an appointment to meet with a tutor.
• Students can drop in for quick questions, even if it’s a five-minute inquiry.
• If a student fears an awkward first experience, they should try another tutor; Newman has many tutors to choose from.
• Tutors may be busy if another student is being assisted; front desk staff coordinate and estimate remaining time (e.g., 10–15 minutes).
• Tutors set expectations based on their available office hours; if they have more time, they may extend the session or arrange another meeting.
• If a session ends, students can arrange another time with the same tutor or another tutor.
• Nighttime and weekend meetings are conducted through Microsoft Teams (virtual) to accommodate schedules.
• Tutors are compensated for their office hours and for any additional time they work beyond those hours.

How to connect with a tutor

• Go to the Student Success Center tile in the portal, or click the "Student Success Center" link.
• Navigate to "Success Coaching and Tutoring" and select "Connect with a tutor now".
• A list of tutors by subject is available (e.g., Chemistry). Some tutors are in-person during set hours, others work remotely.
• Some professional tutors (e.g., Carol Dauerbach for Chemistry) teach in-person during the day and offer virtual meetings at night.
• Some recent Newman graduates (e.g., Caitlin Green, Cassandra Nguyen) tutor various subjects; they can relate well to current students.
• For first-year students needing in-person help, there are stated office hours (example: Kay Duffy, Leah Mirabel, Kyle Rose) with no appointment needed.
• If a student cannot meet during listed hours, they can email the tutor to request a different time, potentially coordinating with program directors (e.g., Katie Callahan, Dr. Ann Mitchell) to facilitate an alternative arrangement.
• The tutor’s response may depend on weekly availability and workload; a tutor may suggest alternatives if their schedule is full.
• If a student ends up in a group study, the same tutor can continue with the group if arrangements are made.

Subjects and tutoring structure

• A centralized list of subjects is available; clicking a subject (e.g., Marketing, Math) takes you to the tutors for that subject.
• The tutoring program includes both peer tutors and professional tutors; peer tutors generally provide in-person help during posted hours, with remote options for after-hours sessions.
• Some professional tutors cover multiple courses (e.g., Caitlin Green in chemistry and related subjects) and can connect students to other professionals (e.g., Cassandra Nguyen in biology/chemistry).
• The portal includes a link to connect with specific tutors via Teams for virtual sessions.

The Math Lab and Math Tutoring

• The Math Lab offers one-on-one tutoring for all math courses, led by both professional tutors and peer tutors.
• Amy Wright is the Math Lab instructor (professional tutor) and is highly regarded.
• The Math Lab includes a Math Escape Room activity run by math faculty; Tyler Kennedy oversees this initiative for the current year.
• Math tutoring is integrated into the general tutoring space when the Math Escape Room events occur.

Math Escape Room

• A collaborative, problem-solving activity designed to enhance math learning; run by math faculty with support from the tutoring team.
• Times may shift as events are scheduled, with tutoring activities temporarily moved to the general tutoring area when the room is used for escape rooms.

Success Coaching

• For students overwhelmed by time management, multiple deadlines, or overall study stress, success coaching is recommended.
• Success coaches help students map out a plan to regain control over their schoolwork and reduce anxiety about assignments, exams, and workload.
• If you encounter a student who is overwhelmed or considering withdrawing from a class, refer them to the Student Success Center for success coaching.
• Contact: the Success Coaching team via email (coordinator and director roles discussed in session).
• Susan Pagan is the Director of Student Success and a key contact for referrals to success coaching.

Writing Center

• The Writing Center provides support across many disciplines, not just English papers.
• First appointment requires setting up an account in the Writing Center system.
• The Writing Center is not an editing service; tutors work with students to improve writing rather than simply editing and returning a corrected document.
• A drop box is available for paper submissions; tutors will read and provide feedback, but not make all edits directly.
• The Writing Center supports various courses (e.g., English 101, English 102, Psychology, Theology, Business, Health Science) and all stages of the writing process (brainstorming, outlining, drafting, etc.).
• Maya, Associate Director of the Writing Center, and Mike, the Research Librarian, provide classroom tips on research and writing strategies.
• The Writing Center emphasizes early engagement with research and writing workflows to help students start quickly and stay on track.
• For first-year English and English-related coursework, the Writing Center sessions help with research skills and literature reviews.

Practical and ethical implications

• Student preferences for walk-in tutoring emphasize accessibility and reducing anxiety about needing an appointment.
• The program emphasizes student autonomy, choice of tutor, and the ability to switch tutors if the first experience isn’t a good fit.
• There is a culture of feedback: students are encouraged to report awkward or unsatisfactory tutoring experiences to improve services.
• The success coaching and writing center complement tutoring by addressing broader academic skills, time management, and writing proficiency across disciplines.

Real-world relevance and connections

• The tutoring and support ecosystem mirrors real-world workplace collaboration: study groups, mentorship by subject matter experts, and structured problem-solving approaches.
• The emphasis on not only content mastery but also career preparation (internships, resumes, and major pathways) aligns with industry expectations for professional development.
• The integration of online tools (Teams, centralized portals) reflects current trends in remote learning and flexible student support.

Summary tips for students and staff

• Use the portal to connect with tutors quickly; try a five-minute question first and assess fit.
• If not satisfied with a tutor, switch to another tutor; there are many options, including both peer and professional tutors.
• Leverage group study opportunities to maximize learning efficiency.
• For time-management challenges, route students to Success Coaching for personalized planning.
• Utilize the Writing Center for comprehensive, process-focused writing support across disciplines, not just English.
• Remind students that tutoring and writing center resources are widely available and designed to be accessible without heavy scheduling friction.