Tutoring and Related Academic Support

Southwestern Michigan College Teaching and Learning Center provides free Tutoring and Related Academic Support to all students enrolled at the college. Tutoring services are offered on the Dowagiac campus or the Niles Area Campus.

The TLC is certified by the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) and is accredited through 2011. The CRLA is an international organization comprised of educators and learning assistant coordinators who evaluate tutoring programs for certification based on recognized standards for tutor training.

SMC is a certifying agency of the CRLA at all three levels of tutor certification, regular, advanced, and master. All tutors go through a careful application process and participate in workshops which fulfill CRLA certification requirements.

The tutors and TLC staff are members of the Michigan Tutorial Association, an organization designed to enhance professional development and training for tutorial personnel by providing opportunities to exchange theories, methods, and strategies.

SMC’s peer tutors are not only strong students, but are also motivated to assist their fellow students in developing successful academic strategies and to become independent learners. Tutors provide assistance for nearly every subject area at SMC.

Tutoring and Academic Support services can help students with study skills, problem solving, learning strategies, test preparation and test taking strategies, as well as time management.

Students can participate in study groups, group and individual tutoring, drop-in tutoring and/or in-class shadow tutoring

For more information, contact Annette Scheid, Director of Teaching and Learning Centers at (269) 782-1463 or (269) 687-1600, ext. 1463. Email requests should be directed to ascheid@swmich.edu.