If you have ever wondered how to get help in your classes for free without bugging your friends, the ALC is for you.
The Academic Literacies Center, located in FLITE 120, offers tutoring, structured learning assistance, writing assistance and much more to support students throughout the school year. Ferris designed the ALC to support students when they need help the most.
Alyssa Rosebrugh, a part-time program assistant, said multiple areas within the ALC are there to help students to get them going in the right direction.
“The ALC is the academic literacy center,” Rosebrugh said. “What it is is tutoring and SLA (structured learning assistance), which is academic support. Then there is the writing center, so it’s like two entities under one roof. We provide different types of academic support to all students on campus and it’s all free.”
Rosebrugh also said it’s a place where students can get answers to their questions and feel safe enough to ask for as much help as they want.
“This is a space we have deemed to be a safe space for all of our students,” Rosebrugh said. “We are here to help students in every aspect that we possibly can, and we are also here if a student has questions about financial aid or questions in general. We are here to guide them in the right direction.”
Ferris faculty and students run the ALC. The students are the ones who are tutoring, mentoring and giving tips on how to succeed in the classroom.
Hannah Baas, a math tutor, joined the ALC program because she enjoys helping people. She shows students tips and tricks that help them catch up to their peers. As an aspiring teacher, she knew she wanted to be apart of this program as soon as possible.
“I think it is super important that the ALC is here,” Baas said. “Because there are students that need help. I get that everyone doesn’t love and enjoy math as much as I do, but that way, for the students that do need help, they can get that help.”
The center has become a place where students can find assistance for their classes through the ALC’s resources, such as tips and studying resources. The center has also become a place where students having a hard time can go to find guidance.
“It’s basically a safe spot for any student that is struggling, needs help or just needs someone to talk to,” Baas said. “Whether it be classes or emotional support, we can direct them to professionals and help them that way.”
There is a lot that can happen throughout the school year, however, the ACL is prepared and always there to lend a helping hand.
Caitlin Ewald, an SLA facilitator for chemistry classes, said some courses are so complex that many have trouble understanding. With an SLA, which is essentially one tutor for a whole class who has experience with the subject, topics can become easier to understand.
“I think a lot of people really need some extra support,” Ewald said. “There are some really tough classes that people aren’t probably used to taking. I think it really helps [to have] someone [that] has taken the class before to help you through course work that you might not have as much background knowledge on.”
It’s always a good thing to hear about students finding the help they need for their issues. From classes, to emotions, to questions about life on campus, the ALC is excited to help those in need.
“Anything they need, they can just come in and ask us because we have tons of answers we want to give them,” Rosebrugh said.
The ALC is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Students can make appointments by visiting their office or their website. The ALC always reminds students, when they come in and as they go, to continue to ask questions when they have them.
“No question is dumb,” Rosebrugh said. “I can guarantee that the question that you have asked [has been asked by] at least five or six other people, so don’t be afraid to ask questions and reach out. We are here for your success.”