By: Brooke Buchakjian, Lions Eye Staff Writer, bab6314@psu.edu 

For those who are struggling with courses, the Academic Success Center is the answer. The Academic Success Center in Vario library offers students help in a variety of different subjects such as: math, science, writing, English, history, etc.  

The center consists of the Writing Center, STEM lab, and Brandywine Learning Center. Students come to the Academic Success Center to receive help or to work in a quiet and supportive space.  

The Academic Success Center is a resource and an environment that supports students. The staff, tutors, and peer tutors who work at the center have a student focus; they are very approachable, and make sure students are at ease. Another bonus is that the STEM lab and the writing studio offer a one credit tutoring option requiring tutor sessions one hour a week per semester in the student’s chosen subject. 

Coordinator of the STEM Lab, Mrs. Madison is a Brandywine math professor, who has worked at Penn State Brandywine since 2010.  She attended Eastern University and received her undergraduate bachelor of arts degree in mathematics and education. She also earned her master in education from Eastern University. The STEM lab offers tutoring for all math courses, sciences (such as chemistry), physics, IST courses, technology, and some engineering courses. The STEM lab offers tutoring every day, including weekends. Students can walk in or can schedule an appointment online, https://brandywine.mywconline.com/  

Coordinator of Brandywine Learning, Dr. Brown, has worked at Penn State Brandywine since 2010. She earned her undergraduate bachelor of arts in psychology with a minor in human development and family studies from Penn State University and her master in education from Cabrini College. Dr. Brown views herself as a partner with her students in their educational journey and is committed to guiding them on how to successfully navigate college life.  She enjoys helping students because she believes, “the one-on-one partnership and higher education can change the trajectory of your life in a positive way.” If students are hesitant about asking for help, Dr. Brown is there to help and to make them as comfortable as possible. When in, sign up for a tutoring session, students will be matched with a tutor who specializes in the required area and as closely as possible. The tutors are also there to help students get started on whatever project is the priority. Additionally, one can simply brush up on taking skills, study skills, or even stress management skills.  

Assistant English Professor and Director of the Brandywine Writing Studio, Dr. Berkey, has worked at Penn State Brandywine since 2015. He earned his Ph.D. in English from Indiana University – Bloomington, in 2010. Dr. Berkey At Duke University, he taught writing and history, while managing a campus writing studio. Brandywine’s writing studio can help students with class papers, practicing speeches or presentations, developing outlines, and personal writing. “It does not even have to be written assignments,” says Dr. Berkey. “You can make an appointment online for tutoring or walk into the writing studio.”  The writing studio also offers ENG 197 as a one option for writing tutoring.   Students with questions can email Dr. Berkey directly at, jhb5255@psu.edu.  

Penn State is extremely fortunate to have these resources on campus. The Academic Sucesses Center can help students with any subject. They offer many opportunities and formats to help students. It is a comfortable environment, and the staff, tutors, and peer tutors are all very welcoming. Stop by soon.