How do I succeed academically?

Visit the Student Academic Success Center

If Carol Hunter's enthusiasm for the Student Academic Success Center's (SASC) tutoring services were a force field, resistance would be futile.

Hunter, tutor supervisor for the SASC, would like all students to make the center part of their academic routine. "In regards to tutoring, the culture has shifted from 'I'm failing, I need help,' to 'I want to be as successful as I can be,'" Hunter said.

So whether students with lower grades want to raise their GPA or 4.0 students want to keep it that way, Hunter encourages students from all majors to use the SASC's free drop-in and small-group tutoring services, which are led by undergraduates.

The SASC offers tutoring for chemistry, biology, math, physics, statistics, writing, and English as a Second Language.

"It's important," Hunter said, "for students to acknowledge that in certain subject areas they may have problems, then step up and meet the challenge at the beginning of their undergraduate education. That's where the SASC comes in."

According to Hunter, tutors are carefully selected. For their interview, Hunter has students tutor her. Said Hunter, "We don't hire students who might say something along the lines of 'Why don't you understand that?' They have to demonstrate not only knowledge of the subject but also a patient, positive and effective approach to teaching."

The SASC hires 100 student tutors per quarter, and the positions have very low turnover, meaning nearly all students hired in the fall quarter are offered an annual contract. "We were voted the 'Best Place to Work' on campus in last year's Aggie poll," Hunter said.

Small-group tutoring is limited to seven students per group, but the SASC also offers larger workshops, led by degreed, professional staff. "Some students prefer the larger, lecture-style workshops," Hunter said. The workshops address study skills, writing and English as a Second Language, science skills, and mathematics.

Hunter was a tutoring specialist with Solano Community College for 20 years and had completed a master's in business administration when she joined the SASC in 2002. "It was a dream come true to come to UC Davis," Hunter said. "I love working in an environment where student success is our profit."

Hunter finds UC Davis students highly motivated and open to learning. "I never tire of seeing the 'light bulb moment,'" Hunter said, "when students get a concept or solve a problem."

To learn more about the SASC and to sign up for small group tutoring, visit http://www.lsc.ucdavis.edu/.