Last updated on August 19, 2022

SYLVA – The Tutor Program at Southwestern Community College has been awarded recertification as a Level I and II certified tutor-training program by the internationally recognized College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA).

SCC was approved for CRLA Level I certification in 2000, and Level II was gained in 2005. Since then, recertification has been successfully earned every five years.

SCC’s tutoring program has worked hard to develop a tutor-training program that meets CRLA’s rigorous standards and has successfully completed the International Tutor Training Program Certification (ITTPC) peer-review process.

 “Our tutors are busy! Along with taking classes and possibly working other jobs, they also devote time to helping SCC students achieve success in their subjects,” said Toni Knott, the Coordinator for the Jackson Campus’s Learning Assistance Center (LAC). “The program would not exist without these caring individuals.”

Achieving certification means that SCC’s tutoring program has met CRLA’s high standards for tutor selection, training, direct service, and evaluation as an integral part of its overall tutoring program.

“Tutoring gives me a sense of accomplishment to help the students,” said Tutor Wendy Suttles, an SCC graduate. “Doing this helps me as well.”

Tutors who earned CRLA certification during 2021-22 are Early College students Sayumi De Silva and Ellie Padgett, Early College graduate Patrick Cardona-Cosner and Suttles. Cardona-Cosner is now attending North Carolina State University under the Goodnight Scholarship. Suttles earned AA and AS degrees and is currently pursuing BSBA degrees in accounting and finance at Western Carolina University.

Another tutor, Ellie Padgett, added, “I appreciate having this ability to help others, and it has also helped my communication skills.”

For more information about the LAC at SCC, please contact Knott at tknott@SouthwesternCC.edu.