911±¬ÁÏ

Peer Academic Coaching (PAC) provides academic support for many 100- and 200-level courses. PACs are trained peers who have successfully completed these courses and are recommended by faculty members. They lead open study sessions where you can review course material, prepare for exams, and strengthen your study strategies in a relaxed, supportive environment. 

Check out the PAC schedule

One-on-one tutoring is available for many courses not supported by Peer Academic Coaching (PAC) sessions. Working with a peer tutor gives you the opportunity to ask questions, review challenging material, and develop stronger study and learning strategies tailored to your needs. Schedule a tutoring session here.

The Writing Center:
Writing Center tutors hold one-on-one conversations about all kinds of writing and writing issues/concerns. Peer tutors work with writing from any discipline, at any course level, and at any stage of the writing process. The Writing Center’s goal: to give all students the tools to become stronger, more confident writers. 

English Language Support is available through two campus resources. The Writing Center offers individualized help with writing at any stage of the process— from developing ideas to revising drafts. Learn more about their English language specialists. Open PAC sessions provide support for broader academic needs, including study strategies, time management, and understanding course material. 

The Weekly Reset is a drop-in time management group run by Peer Academic Coaches on Monday and Tuesday mornings from 9–11 a.m. in The Learning Commons. Stop by to create weekly study plans, break down bigger assignments, and build time management skills that help you stay organized and reduce stress throughout the semester.

The Learning Commons offers free, one-on-one academic support for every 911±¬ÁÏ student. From study strategies to navigating college life, our professional staff are here to help you thrive. 

E-mail commons@skidmore.edu to learn more or schedule an appointment

Walk-In Mondays and Wednesdays offer students an opportunity to connect directly with Accessibility Services staff for questions and support related to disability services. Staff are available for walk-ins on Mondays in The Learning Commons and on Wednesdays in The Annex during business hours. Stop by to discuss accommodations, request guidance, or learn more about accessibility resources available at 911±¬ÁÏ.

Each professor offers regular office hours that provide an opportunity to talk about your academic progress or any course-related concerns. Be sure to review your syllabus for details on when and where office hours take place.

Peer Academic Coaching Application Process

There are a limited number of Peer Academic Coach positions, and the selection process is competitive. Students who meet the following qualifications may begin the application process to be considered for the next semester.  

• Must be a major or minor in the department they are applying for, having earned an A- or better in the specific courses the PAC team supports
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.2 having completed at least one academic year at 911±¬ÁÏ
• Two recommendations from faculty members in the department the PAC team supports
• Required enrollment in HF213 (2 credits) and HF214 (1 credit) – Peer Academic Coaching Experience and Peer Academic Coaching Lab during the first semester in the program
• Availability to work two evenings per week Sunday-Thursday from 7-9 p.m. while classes are in session
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills, be reliable and flexible, work well as a member of a team, and display a passion for helping others succeed.

Applications will be reviewed as they are received, and selected candidates will be contacted to interview for any open positions.  For additional information email bpashley@skidmore.edu.

Course descriptions:

• HF 213 – Peer Academic Coaching Experience (2 credits)
  Peer Academic Coaching Experience is an introduction to concepts, theory, and practice in peer academic support. Coursework prepares students to work in individual and group academic coaching settings, foster leadership skills necessary to address the academic needs of a diverse student population, and explore and initiate collaborations with professional staff and professors. The class operates as an interactive learning community designed to provide students with opportunities to apply and reflect on academic support strategies in scenario-based situations and live Peer Academic Coaching sessions. Prerequisite: Students must be hired as Peer Academic Coaches before registering. Corequisite: Peer Academic Coaching Lab HF 214 (1 credit weekly team meeting/planning session. Not for liberal arts credit.)
  
• HF 214 – Peer Academic Coaching Lab (1 credit)
  Peer Academic Coaching Lab offers an opportunity for advanced work as a Peer Academic Coach. Students meet in department-specific groups to coordinate quality peer academic support in Peer Academic Coaching sessions by collaborating with professors, preparing supplemental study materials, planning review sessions, facilitating study sessions, tutoring students, and communicating services and upcoming events with professors and students. (Not for liberal arts credit.)
  

Apply to be a Peer Academic Coach

Peer Tutors provide individualized academic support for courses not covered by Peer Academic Coaching (PAC). To become a tutor, students must have earned an A– or better in the course they wish to tutor and have the recommendation of the professor they took the class with. Peer Tutors set their own schedules and meet with students by appointment. 

The Academic Alert system allows faculty to share feedback and recommendations to students when there are concerns that students are not meeting course expectations or requirements.

The information you provide is shared directly with your student and their faculty advisor(s). Additionally, each message automatically includes detailed information that encourages students to use the various academic support services offered by The Learning Commons, The Writing Center, and the Office of Academic Advising (OAA).

In more serious instances of missing/late assignments, attendance issues, or low grades, the alert will also prompt outreach to the student from The Learning Commons, the Office of Academic Advising, the First-Year Experience director, and/or the Opportunity Program — especially when the same student has received more than one alert. This proactive measure helps ensure that students are connected with the most appropriate campus support service.

Tech requirements:

• Supported browsers include Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome.
• Faculty must use VPN to log in if accessing the system from off campus.
• Submissions from mobile devices are not supported.

The Academic Alert system is not a crisis or emergency response system. Please see Student Assessment and Intervention Group information or contact Campus Safety at 518-580-5566 for more serious academic and behavorial concerns. 

The Student Assessment and Intervention Group (SAIG) supports student well-being and community safety by reviewing reports of concern and coordinating appropriate, confidential responses. Faculty can submit reports to help ensure students receive timely outreach and resources. The group meets on a weekly basis to review information about students of concern.

Learn more about the Student Assessment and Intervention Group

If your concern requires immediate attention, contact Campus Safety at (518) 580-5566.

Learn more about how 911±¬ÁÏ supports individuals with disabilities and clarifies the rights and responsibilities of both the College and the people it serves.

Visit Accessibility Services' Rights and Responsibilities website

Support a student applying to become a Peer Academic Coach (PAC) by completing our PAC Faculty Recommendation Form.