We seek to complement classroom instruction be reinforcing concepts and thought-processes through workshops, review sessions and face-to-face and online individual tutoring.
Our holistic approach to tutoring encourages creative, independent thinking and problem solving- essential tools for success in college and beyond.
Students that seek tutoring, whether they are struggling or not, obtain a better understanding of the course material. Some individuals need repetitive information in order to fully understand the concepts. Better understanding of course material can also lead to better grades.
The CAS serves as both a learning center and a work place. Students have access to computers for academic use, a printer, as well as worksheets and textbooks that can be used as reference materials. Students can receive help from a tutor, work alone, or work on group projects all in a conducive learning environment.
The CAS has tutors on staff that are available to help with Math, Natural Science(s), Behavioral Science(s), Communications, Writing, English, Business/IT and various other courses. If you are concerned the CAS might not have a tutor specific to your course, stop by and see a whole list of available courses.
In the event that there is not a tutor for your specific class, you can fill out a tutor request form either by visiting the CAS, or emailing cas@sctcc.edu. The staff of the CAS will try our best to get you the assistance you need
The CAS is a drop in center. All we require is a valid student ID which you use to sign in at our front desk. You must be an enrolled student, taking the course(s) at SCTCC to receive learning center services. The CAS is divided into two sides, each with a large amount of tables for students to sit quietly and work. After sign in, pick a spot, take out your course materials and start working. We then ask that you raise your hand or press the button on the table when encountering a specific question.
The CAS is located in Northway Building room 1-112, down the hall from the commons and Bookstore.
To receive the most benefit out of your tutoring session, you should bring your course textbook, notes, handouts, study materials as well as pencils, calculators and anything else you might need to complete an assignment. The more materials you bring with, the more helpful a tutor can be in terms of working through a difficult question or concept.
The CAS offers both in-person tutoring and online tutoring. In-person tutoring is completed one-on-one or in a small group setting of two to four students, so all participants can learn from each other. Online tutoring is available to students via Tutor.com.
Tutors are prepared to answer most questions and are equipped with the resources to do so. The CAS tutors can discuss and clarify assignments, explain in more detail lectures and textbook materials, review prior quizzes and tests, and help interpret online homework. The tutors have excelled in the classes that they tutor and have great insight into the course to share with you.
Tutors will spend up to 30 minutes reviewing and providing feedback to your question or paper. Please keep this time limit in mind when choosing areas for the tutor to focus on in papers and lab reports. Tutors do not proofread/edit your paper or lab report or provide answers to a question. Instead, tutors highlight the first instance of an area of concern and suggest improvements and/or provide examples for you to follow. It is the student’s responsibility to know the details of a particular instructor’s expectations. At times the tutor may refer you back to your instructor to get additional feedback for certain elements of a paper, lab report or question. While we do our best to find alternative explanations in the online setting, we know our best service is when we have the opportunity to work face to face with students in the CAS. Please give yourself extra time when using CAS online services.
The CAS does not help with ANY quizzes or exams, no matter what the format. Once you have completed the quiz/exam and received a grade, the tutor can explain mistakes or clarify questionable areas.
Writing tutors DO NOT PROOFREAD papers. CAS writing tutors provide specific feedback regarding skills development that can apply to your paper. Writing tutors can also help with structure and aspects of your writing, if you have specific questions.
The CAS is always looking for students excelling in their course work. If interested in helping other students on their road to success, please contact Kerby Plante, Director, at kplante@sctcc.edu to request the application.
Peer Tutors
Peer tutors provide individual and small group tutoring sessions in specific subject-areas. The peer tutor facilitates learning by encouraging the student to become a successful, independent learner. The purpose of tutoring is to increase and enhance mastery of concepts or applications of a specific course of study. Peer tutors integrate effective study and learning strategies to maximize the potential for academic progress.
Qualifications
- Completed 12 credits of college level course work
- Currently enrolled as an SCTCC student
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better
- Received an A or B in courses representative of subjects to be tutored
- Recommendation by at least one instructor in the subject area(s) to be tutored
- Demonstrated ability to establish rapport with students and tutor in an academic setting
- Successful completion of Tutor Training by the end of the first full semester of employment
Responsibilities
- Tutor students in specific course material and integrate study and learning strategies to promote independent learning
- Attend monthly staff development meetings
- Other projects and tasks as assignment by the CAS staff
- Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
- Participate in performance evaluations
Front Desk Staff
The CAS also has an employment position as a Front Desk Staff member. The front desk staff greets students when they come into the CAS and assist students with the check-in process.
Qualifications
- Good interpersonal skills
- Ability to stay organized
- Willingness to initiate conversation with students that enter the CAS
Responsibilities/Duties
- Greet students as they enter the CAS
- Help answer questions regarding the CAS
- Manage schedules for tutoring and advising
- Enforce policies of the CAS
Peer tutors working in the Mary Stangler Center for Academic Success are currently working their way to, or already are, CRLA certified tutors; CRLA stands for the College Reading and Learning Association. CRLA is a group of student-oriented professionals active in the fields of reading, learning assistance, developmental education, tutoring and mentoring at the college/adult level. The purpose of CRLA is to provide a forum for the interchange of ideas, methods, and information to improve student learning and to facilitate the professional growth of members. Tutors working the CAS have had extensive tutor training allowing them to be eligible for certification through CRLA.
The benefits for certification are present for both tutors and the students using the CAS. Students coming into the tutoring center and asking for help are getting help from tutors that are highly trained and skilled in the information that they are presenting. The tutors benefit from being certified for many reasons, not limited to: boosting their confidence in their tutoring skills, being nationally recognized for their service and having something professional to put on their résumé.
Overall, the CRLA organization and certification has improved the quality of service provided to all students, staff and faculty that use the Mary Stangler Center for Academic Success.
Our History
In September 1974, the Tutor Resource Center opened to accommodate students with physical, academic, and economical special needs.
Over the years, the TRC changed names several times. When the college became the Technical Institute, the tutoring center became the Instructional Services Center and then the Learning Support Center. In 2005, the CAS became the Academic Achievement Center and has been lovingly referred to as the AACE until recently, when the name changed once again to honor the late Mary Stangler.
Mary helped start the TRC in 1974 and tutored until she switched back to teaching full-time in 2010. The name was changed to the Mary Stangler Center for Academic Success to take on more of a positive learning image. The goal was to dispel the idea that only students who are struggling come to the CAS.
Today, the Mary Stangler Center for Academic Success offers free drop-in and scheduled tutoring services to all St. Cloud Technical & Community College students, faculty and staff.
The Essence of Mary
For more than 37 years, Mary Stangler was a devoted math teacher and the face of the AACE, the Academic Achievement Center of Excellence on campus.
Her love of math was second only to helping students discover their own capabilities and confidence in math.
Mary passed away May 15, 2011 after a brief, aggressive battle with cancer. In her honor, the AACE was renamed the Mary Stangler Center for Academic Success.
“Mary’s energy never waivered. She was passionate and just there for students,” said President Joyce Helens. “Mary has such an open heart, and such love for student success. She lives on in every student she ever touched.”