New Collaboration Ensures VSU Students Receive High Impact Tutoring

Dr. Terence Sullivan and a team of VSU students support the collaboration with Knack Tutoring.

ATLANTA, Ga. -- Beginning in the fall 2024 semester, all students taking undergraduate courses at Valdosta State University (VSU) will benefit from complimentary on-demand tutoring as part of a collaboration with Knack Tutoring. VSU has the distinct honor of being chosen as the inaugural participant in Knack's Moonshot Campus Initiative. 

This collaboration marks a significant commitment to enhancing academic support with a special focus on providing free tutoring for VSU’s Pell-eligible students. In an exciting development, VSU will also benefit from the unique opportunity to engage directly with Esther Wojcicki, a globally recognized educator and award-winning author, as well as Dr. George Kuh, a leading expert in student success.

“People learn most effectively through relationships,” said Wojcicki. “Students learn best from each other because relationship-based learning is active. Knack’s technology-enabled model is empowering students to learn together at scale in the best way possible.”

Together they will facilitate a roundtable discussion, inviting leaders from selected institutions to share insights and explore best practices aimed at fostering a holistic approach to student success. This initiative reflects our shared dedication to not only enhancing academic outcomes but also to empowering institutions like VSU to set new standards for excellence in student support and achievement.

“Students need college experiences that allow them to thrive but also to be supported,” said Dr. Kuh. “Knack has the technology available to match students who can support each other and to scale up tutoring. Students are resources on campus for other students.”

The collaboration also ensures that potential peer tutors will have access to training modules to ensure top-notch assistance from their fellow students and supporting VSU’s retention and student success objectives.

“Collaborating with Knack will provide VSU students with the academic support and tutoring outside the classroom that is necessary to reinforce student education,” said Dr. Vince Miller, vice president for enrollment and student affairs at VSU. "We want to be sure students have access to the resources they need to be successful.”  

Beyond facilitating access to proficient peer tutors from VSU, the groundbreaking tutoring program also extends student access to a network of on-demand professional tutors.

“Knack helps VSU expand the number of trained and qualified tutors in a broader set of subject areas in order to provide support alongside our most challenging courses,” added Dr. Miller.

This collaboration will not only enhance professional development opportunities for VSU students but also cultivate economic growth on campus. That’s because a substantial portion of VSU’s investment in Knack goes directly back to students through tutor payments.

VSU is currently enrolling students for the 2024-25 academic year. For more information about VSU's student support programs, kindly get in touch with Mrs. Karen Higgs, Director, Office of Student Success and Retention or Dr. Terence Sullivan, Coordinator of Tutoring.