Tutoring and Learning Center

Cook Library Room 347, Academic Commons
Phone: 410-704-2291
Fax: 410-704-3216
Email: tlc@towson.edu

Director: Liz Scarbrough

The Tutoring and Learning Center (TLC) provides academic coaching, academic success strategies workshops, Peer-Assisted Learning (PAL) sessions, study group assistance, Supplemental Instruction, and tutoring services at Towson University. The TLC is a comprehensive academic support program and university-wide resource serving the undergraduate student population. The mission is to support TU’s retention efforts by teaching the necessary skills and strategies to help students become successful and independent learners. We provide student-centered services for improving academic performance, as well as other supplemental educational opportunities. All services are free of charge.

Academic Coaching

Academic coaching is available by appointment. Increased proficiency in fundamental skills is provided through strategies that facilitate success in college. During individual appointments students have the opportunity to complete the Learning and Study Strategies Inventory (LASSI). This allows students to evaluate their attitudes, motivation, time management, anxiety, concentration, information, processing, test strategies, and more. Enrichment strategies are recommended after students complete the LASSI.

The Strengths Quest Inventory by Gallup is also available. It is designed for college-age students to assess their top five talents and identify ways to apply their talents academically.

Academic Success Strategies

Coordinator: Ms. Janae Carter, 410-704-5588
Academic success strategies workshops are offered each term and address the topics such as goal setting, time management, note-taking, reading and comprehension strategies, memorization, testing strategies, and exam preparation. Individual appointments can be scheduled for academic coaching upon request.

PAL Sessions

PAL sessions are small group study sessions facilitated by experienced peer tutors. Each session is focused on a specific topic students find challenging and allows time for practice. PAL sessions are available for select business, mathematics and science courses.

Study Group Assistance

The TLC helps students facilitate study groups that provide additional academic support for various courses. Study groups are designed to improve out-of-class study habits and academic behavior. Study groups are intended to be task-oriented study systems that require students to employ active learning skills in small group settings. This is not tutoring; students are expected to complete out-of-class assignments and group practice items for the purpose of mastery and bring what they have learned to each group meeting. Students are aware that class attendance combined with the commitment to regularly attend group meetings is expected. Study groups are designed to encourage collaborative and active learning while supporting peers in the same subject areas.

Supplemental Instruction (SI)

Supplemental Instruction (SI), designed at the University of Missouri- Kansas City (UMKC), is an academic model that uses peer-facilitated study sessions for students taking historically difficult courses. SI sessions are offered for select BIOL 191, BIOL 221, and ECON 205 sections. The SI sessions are free, regularly scheduled, informal review sessions, and develop organizational tools. These sessions are led by SI leaders; who are students who have previously taken the course and done well.

Tutoring Support Services

Peer tutoring support and strategic study skills are provided for Towson University undergraduates. Tutoring is available mainly in small group sessions, for many lower-level and a select number of upper-level courses. Services are available on a first-come, first-served basis and depend upon the availability of a qualified tutor. Students can schedule up to one appointment weekly per course when group appointments are available. The tutor training program is internationally certified by the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) through level-3/Master tutor.

Business and Liberal Arts Tutoring, Cook Library Room 345, Academic Commons
Coordinator: Ms. Ali Brill, 410-704-2292
Provides small group appointment-based tutoring for students enrolled in lower-level business, economics, foreign language and behavioral and social science courses.

Computer Science Tutoring, 7800 York Road Room 416, Tech Hub
Coordinator: Mr. Kyle Cummings
Assists students who are enrolled in lower-level computer science courses through drop-in tutoring.

Spence Mathematics Tutoring, 7800 York Road, Room 109
Coordinator: Ms. Sandrine Tchatie-Leudeu, 410-704-3283
Assists students who are enrolled in developmental and lower-level mathematics courses through drop-in tutoring.

Natural Sciences Tutoring, Science Complex, Room 3224
Coordinator: Mr. Siamak Salmasi, 410-704-3054
Assists students who are enrolled in lower-level biology, chemistry, physical science and physics courses through drop-in tutoring.

Music Tutoring, Center for the Arts 2087
Coordinator: Dr. Christopher Dillon, 410-704-2821
Provides tutoring for students enrolled in undergraduate music history, theory and musicianship courses. Tutors are matched with students to work individually or in small groups on select, predetermined topics.