Kean University stresses the importance of education and the goal for academic success. Kean offers tutoring services for students who need extra assistance.
The Maxine and Jack Lane Center for Academic Success (CAS) is a cornerstone of Kean University's commitment to opportunity. It integrates all advisement, learning support and career counseling to provide full service to its students.
The mission of CAS is to address the academic and informational needs of Kean University's students. With tutoring services, students are able to gain confidence and are able to achieve academic excellence.
Tutoring is available by appointment or walk-ins. The tutoring and learning support center wants students to understand that appointments are for organizing and keeping schedules in order, but walking in is allowed.
Tutoring is offered in a wide range of undergraduate courses and focuses on the students' needs based on difficulty, including introductory levels through senior levels. Courses are taught to help students adapt to course content, objectives and classroom instructions as well.
The goal of the tutoring center is to aide students in achieving the highest grade but also to implement the content needed for their academic careers.
Regular hours in fall and spring semesters are:
- Monday through Thursday: 9 a.m.to 7 p.m.
- Friday: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
- Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
If students want to request other available hours, they can do so through TutorTrac. TutorTrac is a system used for learning, writing, tutoring, academic skills and other centers that support higher education. TutorTrac has a wide range of teachers and courses available for students in need of assistance.
Janice Kroposky, the director of Holocaust Resource Center who is very fond of the tutoring opportunities, expressed her opinion as to why students should or why students visit the tutoring center.
"A good GPA will enable [students] to apply to a good graduate program or obtain a good job at the end of their career. I have seen students develop learning skills that allowed them to pass courses after contemplating dropping out due to the lack of understanding. Sometimes students are afraid of certain courses such as math or biology, but after attending tutoring regularly, they become comfortable and confident. The key is to attend tutoring sessions regularly, not just during exam time," said Kroposky.
She believes many students use the services to enhance their academic outcome, obtain better grades and maintain a good grade point average (GPA).
Kroposky added, "Tutoring is effective if the student is genuinely looking to comprehend the subject. The key is to attend to tutoring regularly like I said previously. I recommend to students to make appointments in advance, not at the last minute. The specific urge here is for students to exploit the greater part of their academic endeavors by utilizing the resources the university offers."
Another resource is A.C.C.E.S.S., which stands for Aiming to Create a Community Empowered with Student Success, and it is located in the New Freshman Residence Hall. All tutors are full-time Kean students with an overall GPA of A- or higher in all the courses they tutor and each A.C.C.E.S.S. tutor provides students with the support and academic assistance in order to succeed.
Tutoring services are offered one-on-one or walk in basis as well. One-on-one tutoring is offered by appointment only and appointments can be made through Tutortrac. Availability for one-on-one appointments are Monday through Friday.
To schedule an appointment with an A.C.C.E.S.S. tutor, choose A.C.C.E.S.S. as a tutoring center and click search. The tutors' capabilities will be indicated next to their name. Walk-ins are offered in groups from Sunday through Wednesday, 7 p.m. through 11 p.m.
A.C.C.E.S.S. also provides a tutoring blog written by current and past tutors to give tips, tricks and advice to students. Tips given are tackle tips like a pro, how to use flashcards, tips for the most disorganized, four tips for the finals and many more.
Ever been to a tutoring workshop? Well A.C.C.E.S.S. provides students with the opportunity to meet new people while keeping students academically challenged.
When asked about the goals A.C.C.E.S.S. looked to achieve for its students, Althea Nava, the A.C.C.E.S.S. graduate assistant answered, "A.C.C.E.S.S. was established as part of the Step-It-Up Program in the fall of 2012. As someone who graduated with a degree in English and special education, I believe that tutoring is essential for students because it provides students with extra help and support outside of the classroom setting. A.C.C.E.S.S. is composed of peer tutors, which means that all of our tutors are full-time students. This helps us develop a friendly relationship, as well as academic, with our students."
Nava also recalled how she shared a moment with a student from A.C.C.E.S.S. who came in worried and left with the knowledge and confidence needed to succeed.
"When he came into my office this spring, he said that he passed the class with flying colors and he had the A.C.C.E.S.S. tutor to thank for that."
Nava recommends students to utilize the wide range of hours and staff that are provided for tutoring.
For any questions regarding A.C.C.E.S.S., email Althea Nava at navaa@kean.edu or call 908-737-7275. For any questions regarding the tutoring and learning support center in CAS email jlangley@kean.edu or call 908-737-0300.
