News Article

Charlotte Campus Academic Success Center Earns International Honor

Sep 9, 2009

Charlotte County – The Academic Success Center Peer Tutoring Program located on the Charlotte campus of Edison State College received certification in August by the College Reading & Learning Association.

The CRLA’s International Tutor Program Certification (ITPC) currently includes more than 820 institutions worldwide. While most are located within the United States, CRLA also certifies 13 programs in Canada, two in Puerto Rico, one in Japan and one in Australia.

Edison State’s Charlotte campus is one of 22 CRLA certified institutions in Florida. Others include the University of Miami, University of Central Florida and Florida Atlantic University, among others.

“This is a significant accomplishment; it speaks to the tremendous quality of academic support we provide our students on the Charlotte campus of Edison State College,” Campus President Dr. Patricia Land said. “I think this really validates the countless hours of hard work many put forth on a regular basis in our Academic Success Center. We really have a great staff of highly qualified and friendly individuals, as well as an excellent assortment of tutors.”

Peer Tutoring Supervisor Taryn Mitchell coordinated the CRLA certification efforts that began last spring. Mitchell developed a training program for tutors, scripted a manual and served as primary liaison between Edison State and CRLA, all while continuing her regular duties overseeing the tutoring program.

As a Level 1 certified program Edison State now has the authority to certify its tutors upon completion of their training. Interested students must maintain a 3.0 grade-point-average with an A or B grade in the glass they wish to tutor, receive recommendation from a professor and fulfill the general requirements to work for Edison State. Applicants then must complete 6 hours of group training, 4 hours of independent training and 25 hours of tutoring in order to become certified.

“There’s a lot of responsibility that comes with being a tutor, so it’s important for us to make sure each of our tutors is highly qualified and trained,” Mitchell said. “There is a certain level of respect that a tutor must command in order to be effective and we go to great length in the Academic Success Center to ensure that. The CRLA certification simply reinforces everything we’ve been doing with the proper recognition.”

Mitchell said the Academic Success Center currently staffs 14 tutors who are either certified or in the process of completing their certification. But she insisted the center is always looking for more tutors, especially with a record enrollment this fall at ESC.

Tutoring in the Academic Success Center is free to Edison State students. The center also offers a college prep lab, math lab, writing lab, career services, college success workshops, DVD library, single parent programs and a basic skills review for the college placement test.

“We’re here for the students; to assist them in maximizing their potential and attaining the best education possible,” Center coordinator Janice Esdale said. “Getting the CRLA certification is another way for us to demonstrate that commitment to our students.”

For more information about Edison State College Charlotte Campus please visit www.edison.edu/charlotte or contact public information specialist Eric McKinney at 941-637-5628.

Last Updated: September 9, 2009