Center for Academic Success (CfAS)

Number of undergraduates at university: 49,049

Is your center math specific or part of a more centralized tutoring center? Describe other subjects/types of tutoring or service within centralized tutoring center.

CfAS is a centralized tutoring center and the main tutoring center on FIU’s campus. We provide tutoring for many introductory STEM courses, such as Chem I and II, Bio I and II, Organic Chem I and II, and Physics I and II. We also have a Reading & Learning Program where students learn content and disciplinary literacy strategies. Our reading tutors also assist with lab reports. We offer academic coaching as part of the Academic Success Plan (ASP) program, designed to help students get back on track academically. In collaboration with STEM faculty, CfAS facilitates group workshops called TLCs that align with class curriculum. TLC content is designed to address common learning difficulties in the discipline through peer instruction.

Tell us about your physical space. Where are you located on campus? How big is your center?

At our largest campus located in west Miami, we are located on the first floor of the library. It is a central location on campus. At our Biscayne Bay Campus, we are located in one of the original buildings of the campus. Beyond professional staff office spaces, our centers contain open areas with small tables for individual tutoring. Smaller rooms are available for students who need more quiet space. We also have several multipurpose rooms equipped with educational technology.

At our west Miami campus, our space is shared with the Center for Excellence in Writing and the Center for Testing & Career Certification. All three units meet regularly to discuss student needs and keep each other abreast of any campus activity.

What courses do you tutor? 

• MAC 1105 – College Algebra

• MAC 1114 – Trigonometry

• MAC 1140 – Pre-Calculus Algebra

• MAC 1147 – Pre-Calculus & Trigonometry

• MAC 2233 – Calculus for Business

• MAC 2281 - Calculus 1 for Engineering

• MAC 2282 - Calculus 2 for Engineering

• MAC 2283 - Calculus 3 for Engineering

• MAC 2311 – Calculus 1

• MAC 2312 – Calculus 2

• MAC 2313 – Multivariable Calculus

• MAD 1100 – Math for IT

• MAD 2104 – Discrete Math

• MAD 3401 – Numerical Analysis 

• MAP 2302 – Differential Equations

• MAS 3105 – Linear Algebra

• MAT 1033 – Intermediate Algebra

• MGF 1100 – Explorations of Math

• MGF 1106 – Finite Math

• MGF 1107 – Social Choice Math

• QMB 3200 – Quantitative Methods for Business

• STA 2023 – Statistics for Business and Economics

• STA 2122 – Statistics for Behavioral & Social Sciences I

• STA 3033 – Probability & Statistics for Computer Science

• STA 3111 – Statistics I

• STA 3112 – Statistics II

• STA 3123 – Statistics for Behavioral & Social Sciences II

• STA 3145 – Statistics for Health Professions

• STA 3163 – Statistics Methods I

• STA 3193 – Statistics for Biology I

• STA 3194 – Statistics for Biology II

 

What services do you offer? 

We offer both drop-in and scheduled appointments. To make an appointment, students can use FIU’s branded version of Educational Advisory Board (EAB), which can be accessed through the mobile app, Navigate, or through the website. Students can also come in-person to make an appointment with the help of our front desk staff. We offer online and in-person appointments.

Exam reviews and study hall sessions are offered throughout the semester.

​

Describe one change you’ve made in your center that you’re most proud of:

We have been exploring and acquiring various resources for tutors to enhance their sessions. Our most recent purchase included Microsoft Surface Pros, Wacom Bamboo Tablets, and LiveScribe Pens.

​

Describe the best part of your job:

Seeing our tutors develop into young professionals is one of the best parts of the job. We encourage them to have an active role in tutor training and are taught that they are an integral aspect of the tutoring program’s development. The more intentional we are about tutor development, the more it increases the quality of tutoring sessions for our FIU students.

​

What is one piece of advice you’d give to someone who is new to leading a math learning center?

We would strongly recommend the math learning center professional to develop quality faculty partnerships. Be visibly accessible to campus partners such as student affairs and other academic support units. Create a culture of empathy and understanding for students’ perspectives and abilities on math, especially as they grapple with issues like math anxiety or developmental stages of numeracy.