South Dakota State University’s Wintrode Student Success and Opportunity Center has been awarded certification as a certified tutor training program at Levels I, II and III by the College Reading and Learning Association. SDSU has been certified at all levels since 2008.
For more than 30 years, CRLA has been a leader in learning assistance, reading and academic support programs with almost 1,300 members and over 2,000 certified training programs worldwide.
The Wintrode Student Success and Opportunity Center successfully completed the International Tutor Training Program Certification peer review process in spring 2021 to verify its tutor training program meets CRLA standards. SDSU’s certification runs until 2025.
The Wintrode Tutoring Program had nearly 7,000 visits by more than 900 students during this academic year.
One student said “After seeing [my tutor], my exam scores went from a 60 to a 92. He is patient and able to explain things in a very helpful way. He knows the material inside and out.” Another one said, “[My tutor] helped me better understand the concepts, instead of just memorizing information to repeat onto the test. She helps better my ability to do application-type questions.”
Linde Murray, SDSU’s tutoring and TRIO program director, said students who use tutoring earn higher grades, appreciate the opportunity to work with a student tutor who has previously taken the course and performed well, and report an improvement of study strategies and habits.
In addition to the tutoring at Wintrode, nearly 50 students received tutoring at TRIO Student Support Services. TRIO SSS supports students who are first-generation, income-eligible or have a documented disability.
“Achieving certification means our tutoring programs have met CRLA’s high standards for tutor selection, training, direct service and evaluation as an integral part of their overall tutoring program,” Murray said. “It’s an honor to be accredited, and we will continue to work to provide the best tutoring possible for all SDSU students.”