Alvernia University

The Alvernia University Academic Success Center named the peer tutors for the 2024-2025 academic year. Peer tutors offer a wide range of support including in-person and online as well as individual or group sessions, supplemental Instruction (SI) for challenging courses, study groups, and extended test review sessions. "Our Peer Tutors embody Alvernia's mission of 'knowledge joined with love'. Each day, the tutors patiently solve problems alongside students who want guided practice. In addition to explaining complex concepts, Peer Tutors also build up students' self-confidence," said Director of Academic Support Services, Carla Mannix. "Our motto in the Academic Success Center is 'Partners in Your Academic Journey.' The Peer Tutors equip students with the skills needed to succeed and encourage them with meaningful praise. Peer Tutors routinely go above and beyond their work-study job, creating study aids that students can use independently and sometimes changing their schedules to accommodate student needs." In the 2023-24 academic year, the ASC Peer and Professional Tutors supported 849 unique students, conducting 5974 appointments, including writing support, study groups, and academic coaching from undergrad to Ph.D. Students who worked with a subject or writing tutor earned an overall mean GPA of .4 points higher than students who did not use any academic support service. "I wanted to use my knowledge to help other students succeed in their studies. It feels less daunting to meet with a fellow student than a professor, so knowing that I can be a source of knowledge and comfort to a student is incredible," said Master of Science in Occupational Therapy candidate Lauren Janson, who has been a peer tutor since January 2023. "Completing my CRLA certification was long and challenging, but definitely worth it. I feel more and more confident in my tutoring abilities with every training and session." To earn Level 1 certification, tutors complete at least 10 hours of training and conduct at least 25 hours of tutoring. Training topics include learning theories, communication skills, and academic integrity. They are observed and receive feedback on their performance. "As a peer tutor, I've gained valuable communication and leadership skills, " said Master of Science in Occupational Therapy candidate, Reilly Enos, who has been a peer tutor since August 2022. "I've learned how to break down complex concepts into more digestible pieces, which not only helps the students I tutor but also refreshes my memory of courses I have taken in the past. It allows me to actively prepare and teach content that may reappear in my academic or professional career. As an occupational therapy student, I have been fortunate enough to transfer my skill of breaking down complex concepts into digestible pieces in my patient interactions to enhance patient understanding!"

In the Fall 2023 Semester, Alvernia University Resident Assistants (RAs) completed 207 total programs while pursuing their undergraduate or graduate degrees and extracurriculars. "I am really proud of the work that the Resident Assistant staff has done so far this academic year," said Assistant Director of Residence Life, Logan Houptley, M.S. "Our RAs have been resilient through the many changes in our department, including a refresh to our programming model and how we are engaging with our ever-changing residential population." The Office of Residence Life's (ORL) new programming model, Re-LAUnch, encompasses three categories of programs: Maroon, Gold, and Silver. Maroon events are floor-specific or community socials. Gold events are where RAs take their residents to other events hosted by other offices on campus. Silver events are bigger events that half of each RA staff hosts in the residence halls. They completed 84 Maroon programs, nine Silver events and three Gold programs each (114 total). "The new collaborative programming model has allowed us RAs to connect with residents like never before," said RA, Junior Athletic Training Major and Men's Golf Student-Athlete Jackson Hoovler. "Residents can now connect with other Residents from different floors and even different buildings. This has enabled RAs to build a greater community on campus than ever before. The new programming model offers inclusivity, creativity, and great fun for Residents across the Alvernia Campus. Resident attendance to programs is at an all-time high under the new programming model." In alignment with the Division of Student Affairs priorities, the ORL's programming efforts center around five learning outcomes that each RA must meet, including sense of belonging, cultural competence, self-sufficiency, health and wellness, and academic and career excellence. "As student affairs professionals and paraprofessionals, we know that a significant portion of learning comes from outside of the classroom," said Houptley. "Our RA staff is a crucial component of creating communities where this learning takes place and where students feel challenged and supported. I am proud of the buy-in from our residential students who have attended our events." In addition to the new programming model, the ORL is partnering with Alvernia University Athletics to pilot Athlead, an Athletics Living-Learning Community (LLC) for first-year students. This pilot is set to house 22 incoming first-year student-athletes in one residence hall wing with an RA who is also a student-athlete. "I feel that being a Head RA (HRA) and student-athlete has been a challenge and a blessing.... these two responsibilities have helped me grow my time management, perseverance, and determination," said HRA, Sophomore Occupational Therapy Major and Women's Volleyball Student-Athlete, Cierra Roberts. "I have met so many incredible people while working as an HRA/RA which has helped me to feel comfortable, confident, and secure when things get hard. This role has also improved my creativity while cultivating a great learning experience for my residents."

Alvernia University honors student leaders for successfully completing Resident Assistant (RA) training and serving as an RA into the 2023-2024 academic year while pursuing their undergraduate or graduate degrees. "The purpose of RA training was to focus on the professional development within the RA role," said Logan Houptley, area coordinator. "Our goal was to equip the RAs with tools that they could use to further develop their critical thinking skills, increase their cultural humility, and increase their understanding of mental health supportive skills and services." As an RA, the group of student leaders encourages student responsibility and accountability while working to provide a residential environment that enhances and extends beyond classroom learning. RAs are academically successful students who help build strong, healthy and engaging residential communities while upholding the core values of Alvernia University. As peers, RAs not only serve as a campus resource for residents, but also plan educational, cultural, and social programs and assist with roommate/suitemate conflicts. "RA role has allowed me to build trusting connections with my residents as they depend on me to foster an inclusive, safe, and conforming community for them to live," said Sara Baker, a junior occupational therapy major & first-time RA. " I truly love my residents and the connections we've built. The RA role has also given me the opportunity to build connections with supervisors and professionals at Alvernia, who have all taught me valuable lessons and I know are supporting my growth and success in future endeavors. All 37 incoming and returning RAs were interviewed and received training on topics such as building competence & practicing humility, conflict mediation, emergency response protocol, establishing & maintaining healthy boundaries, suicide prevention, mental health and more. "RA training is essential to the foundation of the RA role," said Jaqueces Mathis '22, a three-time returning RA and master of social work graduate student. "These trainings equip RAs with the skills to handle diverse situations in the residence halls. Being a social work major, these trainings not only prepare me for the RA role but develop my skills for my profession. Without a doubt, I feel more comfortable because of RA training in both my profession and RA position."

Upper class students are serving as Orientation Weekend Leaders and Orientation Assistants during Orientation Weekend this August.

Student Ambassadors have been named at Alvernia University for the 2015-16 academic year. Ambassadors actively participate in campus events, generate student involvement, and serve as a network for other activities and organizations on campus. The program is highly competitive, and requires interested students to submit an essay, two letters of recommendation, and complete professional interviews.

Student Ambassadors have been named at Alvernia University for the 2014-15 academic year. Ambassadors actively participate in campus events, generate student involvement, and serve as a network for other activities and organizations on campus. The program is highly competitive, and requires interested students to submit an essay, two letters of recommendation, and complete professional interviews.

The following local residents were named Student Ambassadors at Alvernia University for the 2013-14 academic year.

The following local residents were named Student Ambassadors at Alvernia University for the 2012-13 academic year.

Upper class students are serving as leaders during Orientation Weekend this fall.