Supportive Learning Services at American International College: A Foundation for Success
Springfield, MA (PRWEB) December 23, 2014 -- At American International College (AIC) everyone learns. AIC's tightly-knit community thrives on close relationships among students, faculty, and staff. Above all, the College values the individual strengths of its students. For those students who need a different approach to learning, AIC offers Curtis Blake Supportive Learning Services (SLS) program that helps students with learning challenges to achieve their dream of completing college successfully.
The second of its kind in the country, the fee-based program has been effectively helping students for 30 years. SLS is not peer mentoring, rather it is a comprehensive program that works with the whole student academically, socially, and remedially, providing one-on-one tutorial assistance in addition to study skills workshops tailored to the unique needs of each student.
Trained SLS tutors work creatively to help with goal setting, time management, organization and study skills, successful note and test taking, written expression and self-advocacy. In addition to helping students hone academic skills, SLS staff can modify the academic environment to help students learn better. SLS staff can provide special materials and/or testing options as needed.
A special dinner was held this December in recognition of graduating student Rob Sliney and Targovnik Scholarship recipients Amanda Wallace and Alex Ortensi. The Targovnik Scholarship is given annually in memory of the Targovnik family’s college-age son who had learning disabilities. Awarded to the student who demonstrates extraordinary commitment to success, this year the scholarship was shared between Wallace and Ortensi.
In reflecting on how the program helped him succeed, Sliney replies, “I loved coming to SLS! They help with school work and anything else I needed to talk about. They help you stay organized and hound you when they have to but the responsibility is on you to do the work. They’re here to fall back on. I have my own system and found what works for me.”
Rob Sliney leaves AIC this month with a degree in criminal justice. For now, he’s headed home to Cape Cod but he doesn’t plan to be there long. “I’ve got applications out. I want to work at the federal level at some point. I’d really like to be a US Marshall.”
Supportive Learning Services finds the best solution for each student to help lay the foundation for success because everyone learns; some just learn differently.
Candy Lash, American international College, +1 413-205-3231, [email protected]
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