Phyllis Bennett, Director of Advising and Academic Assistance, said all students are welcome, from a student who is experiencing difficulty and needs help getting back on solid ground to an "A" student who wants to maintain that "A" and realizes the importance of taking advantage of every resource available on campus.
"Just about every course taught at ABAC has been tutored in the AAC at one time or another," Bennett said. "These courses are from every division and cover every major. Nearly 11,000 students have been tutored in the AAC in the past five years, and 65 - 70 percent of those students earned an 'A,' 'B,' or 'C' in the course for which they were seeking help."
Highly qualified student tutors as well as faculty volunteers from every academic division are available to work with students. Tutoring supplements classroom instruction, helping students succeed in their academic endeavors. Tutors help students understand concepts with which they are experiencing difficulty. In a sense, they teach students to become better learners so that they can apply these skills in the classroom.
One reason why the AAC appeals to students is because it provides a relaxed, non-judgmental environment. For example, a student who may be apprehensive about asking questions in class or visiting the instructor during office hours may feel more comfortable seeking a tutor's assistance. The AAC provides this opportunity, and encourages students to take advantage of it.
In addition to tutoring services, the AAC also offers Student Success Workshops that assist students in the areas of math, study skills, writing, preparing for the Regents' Exam, and more. All workshops are free, but students are encouraged to pre-register because of space availability. Interested students can stop in the AAC and pick up a list of workshops available during the fall semester.
"The AAC provides a comfortable setting for students," Bennett said. "We want all students to feel welcome, and we encourage them to utilize the services that the AAC offers. Incoming freshmen should feel free to visit the AAC and make it a part of their college routine from day one. Students who are returning to ABAC and are unfamiliar with the AAC should also consider exploring the resources available to them. All students should have the opportunity to succeed in their studies. I believe the AAC promotes that academic success."
The AAC is located on the ground floor of the Carlton Center in Room L-104. Tutoring is available in the Math and Writing Centers on a walk-in basis Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. and on Fridays from 8 a.m. - 1 p.m. Tutoring in subjects other than math or writing is based on tutor availability. Students will find a posted schedule in the AAC or may check with Bennett for help with other subjects.
For additional information, contact Bennett at (229) 386-7252. Fall semester classes begin Aug. 15.
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