SCC's Academic Support Center Breaks Record

The Academic Support Center of Surry Community College, which offers free tutoring services for SCC students, has broken its own record by supporting students with 10,526 hours of tutoring for the 2022-2023 academic year.

This number reflects a 27 percent increase in hours compared to the 2021-2022 academic year.

“The number of hours students are engaged with the Academic Support Center (ASC) is directly related to student success,” explains Alan Unsworth, SCC Dean of Instructional Support. “If students visit the ASC, even one time, they will do better, and their success rate will climb. Our data repeatedly shows that each student who visits the center has increased odds of succeeding with each visit. For example, if a student comes to the center just once, the data shows that, on average, the student will see a 10 to 12 percent increase in his or her grade point average. The percentage of improvement increases with each additional visit.”

The ASC is also positive for Surry Community College, not only in terms of student success rates, but also in terms of student retention. Unsworth points out that students who visit the ASC stay enrolled at SCC longer and are more likely to complete their college education. At SCC, faculty members are encouraged to direct their students to the ASC for additional support.

Another factor of the ASC that Unsworth is quick to point out is that the environment is structured in a way to minimize or eliminate the stigma associated with receiving tutoring. Students of all levels visit the center, from those who may be struggling to those who excel. All find a comfortable, welcoming place to study and engage with others about academics.

“The ASC is a place where students find community and support with their studies. Our tutors are current or former students and teachers who know the culture of SCC, making the center truly a place where students like to be,” Unsworth said.

Donald Fowler, Assistant Director of the ASC, helped start the center and currently works as a tutor in addition to other duties. He commented, “The philosophy of the ASC is sort of like the old TV show Cheers theme song says, ‘sometimes you want to go where everybody knows your name,’ and ‘our troubles are all the same.’ Everyone is welcome here, no matter what stage their problems are, whether simple or advanced. We want everyone to come.”

Unsworth summarized the ASC by saying, “We really care about our students. We have solutions for the problems that plague them, and the data backs this up.”

The Academic Support Center offers one-time tutoring sessions to help students with assignments in any subject, and tutors will also work with students at regularly scheduled sessions throughout the semester. All of the services are free to current SCC students.

Online tutoring is available around the clock; students should logon to Tutor.com through their Moodle classroom.

To learn more or schedule a tutoring appointment, stop by the Academic Support Center on the Dobson campus, R-212 (top floor of the Library), call (336) 386-3260 or email asc@surry.edu. Group study sessions are also offered with no appointment needed; a list of these group study sessions can be located online at library.surry.edu/ASC.