The UHD tutoring center, previously located on the ninth floor of the Academic Building, was once a quiet space with minimal foot traffic, tucked away among administrative offices. After the relocation, the center now sits adjacent to the W.I. Dykes Library. With greater visibility, the move represents not only a physical shift but also a pedagogical one to fostering community, collaboration, and accessibility.
“Our visits for this time of year were up 66%, and appointments up 40% since the move,” said Melvon George, assistant director of the Academic Support Center (ASC). “Being here by the library makes us much more accessible to students who might just be studying or passing through.”
Alongside fresh paint and carpeting, the ASC has organically drawn popularity and become a student hub. Modern décor, light colors, and an inviting layout portray UHD’s commitment to student-centered support.
The tutoring center was originally two distinct units—the Writing & Reading Center and the Math and Statistics Center—but now operates under a unified name: the Academic Support Center. The new title reflects the team’s broader range of tutoring disciplines. In addition to writing and math, tutors now assist in computer science, natural sciences, accounting, business, and communication, etc.
“We’re consciously moving toward uniting everything under the Academic Support Center umbrella,” George explained. “Our tutors now support a little bit of everything—especially in subjects where students traditionally struggle.”
The ASC’s philosophy draws from the Writing Across the Curriculum (WAC) movement of the 1970s and 1980s, which emphasized that learning and writing extend beyond individual disciplines. By incorporating a wide range of knowledgeable professors and student tutors, the ASC continues that legacy.
Dr. John Dozier, a faculty tutor and lifelong educator with over forty years in the UHD community, praised the center’s renewed direction. Dozier describes mathematics as “a language of practice and persistence,” bringing empathy and patience into his teaching approach where education and life lessons intersect.
“The practice is the teacher,” he said. “What a college degree really says is that you didn’t give up—you stayed until the end.”
At the heart of the ASC is its team of student tutors, who undergo professional development while gaining valuable work experience. Tutors participate in workshops on pedagogy, psychology, and even cognitive science.
“We’ve even had a neurologist from Mexico teach us about the cognitive science of tutoring—how to approach stressful situations and manage expectations,” said David Ruiz, an English major and peer tutor. “It helps us understand how learning really works.”
Another student tutor, Sneha George, a technical communication major, remarked, “I really enjoy seeing students take initiative. Some come in to fix what they missed; others come in before assignments are even due.”
Under the leadership of Director Isidro Grau, the Academic Support Center has strengthened its presence through campus-wide events. The ASC and Library Services, led by Dr. Hore Pamplin, collaborate on workshops in algebra, composition, and research, as well as pop-up tutoring sessions in the Wellness and Success Center. The partnership emphasizes UHD’s mission to create an inclusive and accessible educational environment for all students.
“We’re combining learning with service,” said Director Isidro Grau. “Students can donate clothing, join workshops, and take advantage of tutoring. It’s all part of the same effort to support their success.”
As the semester concludes, the ASC will host a final celebration in collaboration with Library Services—featuring a raffle, faculty prize giveaways, and donation drives for the Gator Resource Center where a donation box is located at the tutoring center. The event will also include light refreshments and activities like a movie viewing and a test-anxiety workshop to encourage relaxation and reflection before finals.
Through its collaborative spirit and renewed location beside the library, the Academic Support Center continues to redefine academic support at UHD—where practice, mentorship, and community meet to create a truly accessible education.
