UMD Tutoring Center

Philosophy

All students should have the opportunity to succeed at their studies. Ideally, a university should be a cooperative community that not only challenges students but also provides a support network that maximizes each student's chance of success. In such an environment students can take academic risks with the assurance that help will be readily available when and if needed. "Providing students with opportunities ... to attain personal goals through a supportive learning environment is our most important goal", states the University of Minnesota Duluth Vision Statement.

In this spirit, UMD's Tutoring Program will strive to create a network of tutorial academic support for all students. When students collaborate using established cooperative learning strategies, the likelihood of academic success increases. Not only do test scores improve, but enjoyment of learning increases. According to national research, the peer group is the factor with the single greatest impact on academic success.

Peer tutors who reflect the diversity of students on campus, and who are selected, trained, and supervised, are ideally suited to provide the nucleus for a supportive learning environment. As successful students, tutors share their knowledge and love of learning, and they help establish an inclusive environment that fosters academic achievement.

Creating and maintaining such a community is the intent and purpose of UMD's Tutoring Program.