The Learning Center At WKU Earns Tutor Program Certification

December 04, 2007

Bowling Green, Ky. - The Learning Center, a program of Western Kentucky University’s Academic Advising and Retention Center (AARC), has been certified as a Level I Tutor Training Program by the College Reading and Learning Association. 
           
This distinction has been endorsed by the National Association for Developmental Education, Commission XVI of the American College Personnel Association, the American Council of Developmental Education Associations, Association for the Tutoring Professional and the National Tutoring Association. 
           
Dr. Ellen Bonaguro, Director for AARC, said, “This is a major accomplishment for our Center as we are now recognized for achieving an outstanding tutoring program that adds to the overall quality of academics at WKU.”   She credits Sean McCray, Assistant Director of Supplemental Education, for all of his hard work in preparing the document submitted for certification consideration. 
           
“The process required a detailed report that included all of our tutoring policies and procedures, including all the material used to train the tutors,” Dr. Bonaguro said, adding AARC is proud to achieve a goal set two years ago—the completion of certification for The Learning Center’s tutoring program.  The recent certification brings national and international recognition to WKU—a goal set in the university’s mission statement.
           
Certification brings with it several important benefits, the most important of which is confidence in the tutoring program at TLC, Dr. Bonaguro said.  This distinction helps to assure students and faculty that TLC’s tutors have been trained according to exacting standards set down by a prestigious international association of teachers and educators. Both groups know that they can receive quality academic assistance from TLC because of the training program, she said. 
           
Beth Murray, a longtime tutor, said the training she received “taught me the importance of assessing the student’s level of understanding.” Ryan Tyler, a general subject tutors, said that the training prepared him for obstacles that he may have to overcome while tutoring in situations that he hadn’t originally anticipated. 
           
Because of CRLA recognition, WKU’s tutoring program through TLC now ranks among other top-tier learning assistance programs, including those at the University of Texas, Boston College, and a host of other institutions.  The certification also helps TLC stay at the cutting edge of tutor training practices through a rigorous recertification policy—students will benefit from the progressive implementation of new and effective tutoring techniques.   Additionally, the certification and the honor that goes along with it will attract the best tutor applicants from among the university population—the credentials associated with such training improve resumes and employability after graduation. 
           
The Learning Center currently employs 18 tutors who are available throughout the week—combined, they tutor in more than 100 course subjects and in supplemental skills areas such as note taking and test preparation.  The Learning Center also sponsors several educational programs including Peer Assisted Study Session (PASS), the Academic Advantage series: Workshops for Success, and the Tutor Outreach program. 
           
For additional information about The Learning Center or any of its programs, please contact Sean McCray, Assistant Director of Supplemental Education, at (270) 745-5065, or send an email to sean.mccray@wku.edu. 

More WKU news is available at www.wku.edu. If you’d like to receive WKU news via e-mail, send a message to WKUNews@wku.edu.

For more information, contact Sean McCray, (270) 745-5632.