We like to think of our services as more of a guided study atmosphere than a tutorial atmosphere. All of the staff at the ASC are screened based upon their academic performance, recommendations from professors in the department that houses the subject or course they will be working with, and are thoroughly interviewed by the experienced administrative staff of the Academic Skills Center. After they are hired, they attend training, conducted by the coordinator's of their respective program, that is intended to help them best understand students needs, how to motivate and work with students, and how to work with different learning styles. The training program that the ASC maintains is certified by the College Reading and Learning Association. All of the SI leaders have already taken the course in which they are tutoring.
Most leaders also develop a strong relationship with the professor.
This allows the leaders to have a very good idea of what the tests in the courses will be like. Many times the leaders are also presented with a pre-copy of the test or a summary of what will be covered on a test by the professor. They do not give this to students, but will work in their sessions to help students focus on the material that will be covered on an upcoming test.