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About Us

About Us

Academic Support Network (ASN) is part of the suite of services offered by University College.  ASN is one unit with one shared vision distributed across Arizona State University’s (ASU) campuses and online. Using a peer-to-peer academic network, ASN supports undergraduate and graduate students. Furthermore, ASN peer staff collaborates with students to develop shared learning experiences to enhance success. ASN is committed to creating welcoming spaces for learners, providing ongoing professional development to professional and student staff, and engaging in a continual examination of our policies and practices. ASU is measured not by whom it excludes but by whom it includes and ASN is committed to supporting the charter by helping all learners succeed. Furthermore, ASN collaborates with faculty members to develop shared learning experiences to enhance student success.

Our tutoring programs are certified by the College Reading and Learning Association.

Academic Support Network has rigorous practices in place to recruit, select, hire, train and evaluate its student staff, including desk aides, subject area tutors, writing tutors, graduate writing tutors, and SI leaders. Our high-quality subject area tutors, writing tutors and SI leaders are required to be in good academic standing with the university and to have a B- or better in the courses that they tutor. They must also complete our tutor training program which is certified by the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA). All student staff applicants are required to obtain and submit an appropriate recommendation to be eligible to work for ASN. 

All ASN student staff must complete a minimum of 10 hours of training prior to the start of each academic year.

  • Subject area tutors are trained to reinforce concepts introduced by course instructors and to help students implement learning and study strategies. In keeping with this approach, tutors are not trained to introduce new material to students during tutoring sessions.
  • Writing tutors and graduate writing tutors are trained to work with students at any stage of the writing process and to engage students in conversations about their writing strengths and areas in need of further revision.
  • SI leaders are trained to develop and facilitate cooperative learning activities to discuss course concepts during weekly group reviews.
  • Desk aides and shift managers are trained in customer service principles and are knowledgeable about all of ASN’s services and programs.

Who are we?

Academic Support Network (ASN) provides free services to help students succeed at ASU. Students who take advantage of these services tend to perform better academically. All of our tutors and Supplemental Instruction leaders are current ASU students who have excelled in their course work.

What do we offer?

We offer a variety of services that are free to you as a student, including Tutoring, Writing Tutoring, Supplemental Instruction, and Graduate Writing Tutoring.  Additionally, we also have an Online Study Hub, test reviews, and writing workshops.

Where is this offered?

We offer online support live via Zoom as well as in-person support at the following campuses: Downtown Phoenix, Polytechnic, Tempe, and West. 

How does this work?

Tutoring in math, science, business, and engineering courses is offered on a small group, drop-in basis. Just come by any of our centers or drop in online whenever we are open.

There are also a number of one-on-one services that are appointment-based. Writing tutoring and graduate writing tutoring are available one-on-one and can be scheduled by appointment.  

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is offered for select courses. If your course offers SI, the sessions will be offered on a drop-in basis.

Review sessions provide an opportunity for students to meet live through Zoom to review concepts at certain points in the semester, including before certain exams

Why a Peer-to-Peer Model?

When students come to our in-person or online centers, they meet with a peer tutor or a Supplemental Instruction leader. The peer helps them with subjects such as writing, math, science, and business.

A peer model allows students to help other students by showing that success is possible and giving students role models who have had similar experiences. Peers are relatable — students trust a peer's experience. When a peer says, "I struggled with this, and doing this helped me," the students believe them.

We have worked hard to develop a student-centered approach. We treat every student as a unique person with a unique learning style. Our services are not stagnant; rather, they are forever evolving to reflect student, staff and faculty feedback as well as theories of student learning and student development. We believe that there is no one who won’t benefit from taking time to establish a one-on-one connection with another student: the "A" students, the "B" students, all the way to students who might be struggling with course content. Tutoring can help relieve the stress that comes with studying. It is a great way for students to meet people who might be in the same classes or who have the same goals and ambitions.  We advocate that students don’t wait until it’s too late; they should come in and get support as soon as possible and as frequently as possible.

Programs 

Tutoring is available for subjects such as math, science, engineering, business, and more.

Writing Tutoring is available at any stage of the writing process. Writing tutors can help with essays, applications, personal statements, and more.

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is available for select courses. SI leaders attend courses with you and then conduct group study sessions to help you master the material.

Graduate Writing Tutoring can help graduate-level students at any stage of the writing process. Students can work with tutors to discuss writing projects such as a thesis, dissertation, course paper, or report.

Review Sessions are available for certain courses before specific exams.