Campus News

RU’s Center for Learning Strategies program has received a certification from an internationally recognized organization for its peer tutoring program.

ROCKFORD, Ill. — Rockford University is proud to announce that its Center for Learning Strategies (CLS) program has earned its Level 1 and Level II Advanced Certification from the internationally recognized College Reading & Learning Association (CRLA).

In the academic community CRLA is a group of student-oriented professionals active in the fields of reaching, learning assistance, developmental education, tutoring, and peer educating at the college/adult level. CRLA documents selfless service and is a good application-builder for scholarships, graduate school and other academic pursuits. 

This certification provides RU the opportunity to set professional standards of skill and training for tutors and peer educators.

“Receiving the College Reading and Learning Association Level I & Level II Advanced certification is a huge accomplishment for our department and our institution,” said Karen Walker, Ed.D., Dean of Academic Support, Center for Learning Strategies Coordinator, Men of Color Mentorship Program.

 “Over the past three years our team has worked diligently to enhance our peer-facilitated academic support services,” Walker said. “Our peer tutoring program is now aligned with internationally recognized best practices in higher education and our Peer Tutors can earn recognition for their efforts to help other students succeed in their coursework at RU.”

The CLS team has worked to develop Peer Tutor training curriculum and manuals that are aligned with the CRLA tutor training sessions for Peer Tutors. 

According to Walker, for 30 plus years more than 2,000 college tutor training programs around the world have received CRLA certification at one or more Levels. CRLA-certified programs demonstrate high standards.

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