Susan Pratt
Salve Regina University Director, Academic Center for Excellence
Susan Pratt
Salve Regina has a well-developed program that includes subject tutoring, ESL services, disability services and academic support for students at-risk and on probation. We are Level II certified and have approximately 45 peer tutors and four professional staff, plus a full time receptionist. Last years we had 4000+ visits and so far this fall we have been doubling our numbers! Our biggest challenge currently meeting the needs of an increasing number of under-prepared and anxious learners who need basic learning strategies as much, if not more, than they need content assistance. I want to cultivate a group of academic coaches (I use Motivational Interviewing as my primary approach) but we do not have the staff, nor graduate students to tap, and there is little chance of hiring anytime soon. We are looking into grants, but I would also love to have some conversations with others who either have or currently are developing coaching programs on a shoestring budget!