Active Learning

• Active learning environments are safe, interactive, collaborative and positive where students can be engaged and work to improve their study skills. As tutors and student-athletes work together to achieve academic goals, tutors serve as facilitators and tutees perform the work.

Motivation

• Motivation is an important factor in achieving academic success. We know that individuals are uniquely motivated; our tutors are encouraged to employ both general and specific motivation strategies tailored to each student-athlete. Tutors emphasize progress toward goals, nurture positive attitudes, forge strong and trusting working relationships, foster a sense of ownership in one's academics, and show tutees that they are capable of mastering subject matter.

Independence

• Our tutors are committed to the department's goal of creating independent learners. Tutors assist student-athletes in developing strong study skills, setting clear and achievable goals, understanding one's strengths and weaknesses, and planning for the semester and specific assignments. Tutors also emphasize the importance of staying organized and prioritizing tasks. As independent students themselves, our tutors are intended to be leaders and academic role models.

Student-athletes can request a tutor through their athletic academic advisor for any course at any point during the semester. We employ Gonzaga undergraduate and graduate students who have demonstrated mastery in the coursework with recommendation from faculty as well as overall academic success, ability to teach and listen, professionalism, and amicability. Our tutors go through monthly training throughout their first year in order to enhance their tutoring skills. Tutors must adhere to all rules and expectations set forth by the Athletic Department, Gonzaga University, and the NCAA.

Our peer tutors go through monthly trainings to further skills around approaches to teaching material, communication, cultural awareness, study strategies and more. They are then assessed on their comprehension and application of this material in order to monitor knowledge and retention of the information being delivered. This ensures we are providing the best academic tutorial services we can through the training of our peer tutors and operations of our program.

For more information, please contact Colette Yamaoka, Academic Coordinator, at yamaoka@gonzaga.edu.

Additional tutoring services are provided on campus to all Gonzaga students through The Learning Studio in the Foley Library, as well as departmental specific tutoring.