Important Information for Students

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Academic Center for Excellence

• Important Information for Students

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ACE Mission
The Academic Center for Excellence enables
students to achieve their
educational goals by helping them
acquire the learning skills and confidence
necessary to become successful, independent,
lifelong learners.

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Strategy

• ACE, an academic support unit, accomplishes its
  mission by
• Providing free one-on-one and small group
  tutorials in reading, writing, mathematics,
  science, foreign languages, time management, and
  study skills, as well as computer assisted
  instruction to all Kentucky State University
  students
• Employing professional instructional counselors
  with degrees in English, math, and related areas
  and peer tutors who are highly qualified and
  trained in proven tutoring strategies to engage
  students directly in the learning process on an
  individual level that is suited to students
  learning styles and needs.
• Offering students, whether referred by
  instructors or self-referred, personalized
  instruction toward mastering the skills and
  attitudes necessary for academic success.The unit
  also serves as a support agency for University
  faculty who request assistance with supplemental
  and/or alternative presentation of class content.

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Overview of a Tutorial Session

• A tutoring session has four main components.
• First, you will be asked how we can assist you,
  and you will explain what your task is and where
  you are in that task.
• Then your tutor or Instructional Counselor will
  help you set a goal for the tutoring session.
  Examples for writing Where are you in the
  process? Need to develop thesis statement? We
  will show you examples and ask you questions to
  promote thesis development. Or for math Need
  better understanding of solving quadratic
  equations? We will show you sample problems
  modeled after the one in question to strengthen
  your math skills while increasing your
  understanding of the concept behind the process.
• Next, you and the tutor or Instructional
  Counselor will determine if your goal was met.
• Finally, a determination will be made whether you
  should return to work on this project or others. 

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Frequently Asked Questions

• What services does ACE offer?
• ACE provides help in mathematics essay and
  research paper development reading comprehension
  and retention vocabulary building oral
  communication sciences languages textbook
  management/SQ3R critical thinking skills
  test-taking strategies personal learning styles
  assessment notetaking and documentation. 
• Who may use ACE services?
• All KSU students are encouraged to use the
  resources available at ACE.
• Where is ACE located?
• ACE is located in Room 110 of the Carl M. Hill
  Student Center just across the hall from the
  student computer lab.
• When can I begin using ACE services?
• Instructional Counselors are available to work
  with students by appointment or on a drop-in
  basis beginning the first day of classes .

• When I visit ACE, who will be available to help
  me?
• ACE employs five full-time Instructional
  Counselors who cover math and/or English and
  writing, and more than 20 peer tutors who can
  assist students across the curriculum. Schedules
  that announce the days of the week and times that
  tutors for specific subject areas and classes are
  available are posted just inside the Center.
• How can I access tutoring at ACE?
• While walk-ins are always welcome, it is best to
  schedule an appointment if you would like to work
  with an Instructional Counselor. See individual
  counselors to set appointments. Peer tutors
  assist students on a first-come, first-served
  basis.
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More FAQ's

• Does tutoring have to be one-on-one?
• No. Both Instructional Counselors and student
  tutors welcome small groups, and many students
  find it beneficial to study with classmates.
  Further, if you are looking for help with a class
  that is already being tutored, you may be asked
  to join that session to avoid waiting for a tutor
  to become available.
• How do I sign in?
• TutorTrac is ACEs electronic login/logout
  system. When you enter and when you leave ACE, a
  staff member will assist you with this process.
  To sign in, you will need to know your Student
  I.D. and the professor and course number for
  which you are seeking assistance.
•  
• How long does an ACE session last?
• ACE sessions last approximately 30-50 minutes.
•  

• Can I expect my papers or homework to be error
  free if I seek ACE help?
• Students who receive academic assistance from ACE
  will not necessarily submit error-free homework
  or perfectly-composed papers. Rather, ACE
  Instructional Counselors and peer tutors help
  students improve their abilities to
  problem-solve build skills and process
  mathematical concepts and organize, develop,
  revise, and edit ideas while working toward
  mastering the writing process.
• What other services are offered by ACE?
•  In addition to student tutors, ACE employs
  Supplemental Instructors (SIs) and Undergraduate
  Teaching Assistants (UTAs). SIs and UTAs are
  students who attend specific, targeted classes
  and facilitate group study and/or review
  sessions. Students enrolled in any section of
  those courses are welcome to attend group study
  and review sessions. Also, each semester, ACE
  Instructional Counselors put together free
  workshops on various topics. Check out our
  workshop schedule on this site. 

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Certification

• The tutoring program at ACE is now certified! On
  May 1, 2007 the tutoring program of the Academic
  Center for Excellence was certified at Level I of
  The International Tutor Program Certification
  (ITPC) by the College Reading and Learning
  Association (CRLA).  This is a reflection of the
  Centers history, resources, tutor selection
  criteria, extent and modes of tutor training and
  evaluation, and established policies and
  procedures for employment.  We are now qualified
  to issue CRLA certificates to individual peer
  tutors who qualify.

CRLA's ITPC has been endorsed by the National
Association for Developmental Education,
Commission XVI of the American College Personnel
Association, the American Council of
Developmental Education Associations, Association
for the Tutoring Professional and the National
Tutoring Association.  
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Staff Information

• Director
• Sue Stamper
• Associate Director
• John Burrell
• Administrative Assistant II
• Erica Williams
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• Instructional Counselors
• Math/Study Skills English/Writing/Study
  Skills Disability Specialist
• Sara Ellis Keith Crabtree Nkemjika
  Mbamalu
• Linda Crady
• Leah Halliday