. ~rtwo years, senior Harrison Cobb tutored for the TRIO Student Support Services Tutoring Center in the Lee building on campus. Cobb was one of about 30 tutors that were staffed at the TRIO tutoring program, which served 275 Harding students, averaged about 800 hours of tutoring per semester and was also nationally recognized in 2006 as the Outstanding Tutoring Program by the Association of the Tutoring Profession. Cobb tutored fellow students in Physics, Chemistry and Biology - just to name a few subject areas. The TRIO program was funded by a federal grant and was deSigned to work with first generation and income - qualified college students . The program provided an abundance of support services for students, but one of the most important services TRIO provided was tutoring. "Since the majority of our students do request tutoring, this program and the interaction of our tutor is vital to the success of our H arding students," Dr. Anissa Harris, TRIO Tutor Coordinator, said. Each tutor had to be trained for 10- 12 hours prior to emplopnent. "Our tutors are dedicated, perceptive and become keenly aware of creative ways to be compassionate and engaging to others," Harris said. Cobb , a double major in computer engineering and pre - med, decided to become a tutor at the urging of his suitemate, who was also a tutor. Cobb explained that he originally began tutoring to better prepare himself for his future career . "1 like the personal interaction when I tutor; it helps me to communicate better which is an important skill in the medical field," Cobb said . However, there were many misconceptions that came along with the tutoring program . One misconception was that tutoring was just another job for the tutors involved. "1 wouldn't tutor and put the time into it if r didn't enjoy it," Cobb said. "You build a friendship while tutoring." Cobb said that each session would involve discussing more than just academics. He said some students he tutored would discuss questions about their major or future career and what direction to take in life. Another misconception of the program was why a student would want or need tutoring . Students requested tutoring for a variety of reasons, from having accountability with time management to figuring out their personal learning styles . "Tutoring is simply a way to create a good habit and integrate more efficient study strategies into a student's daily life," Harris said. The TRIO tutoring program was a huge blessing and benefited not only the students receiving the tutoring but also the students giving their services as a tutor. "The T RIO tutoring program is so successful because of the personal attention and interaction between the staff and the students; tutors like Harrison are vital to the success of the program and ultimately to our students," Harris said. Rachel Denzin While studying physics on Jan. 22, senior Harrison Cobb listens carefully to junior Hol ly Wilkerson ask a question. Cobb gave his undivided attention to each client he tu tored at the TRIO Tutoring Center. Michelle Makool .. .. 190 academics "The thing I love most about being a tutor is getting to know people ; you build relationships with people and make friendships that you would never make wi,hout ,u,ocing."~ ___ Junior Heather Walker .. .. -
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