Page 2 - ASC Highlights Spring 23-24

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Charting Growth:

The Evolution of Our

Academic Success Center

The journey of the Academic Success Center (ASC) required hard work, dedication, and teamwork. Where
the ASC stands today is achieved through perseverance in the face of challenges, making the process both
demanding and rewarding.

Before the evolution of the ASC, the center was known as the Learning and Writing Support Center, offering
specialized services in two key areas: writing and learning. The Writing specialty focused on languages and
helped students excel in linguistic skills, and the learning specialty provided assistance in science subjects
like, physics, chemistry, and more. Initially, our primary services were solely restricted to the tutoring
program. We relied on students with high GPAs to volunteer as peer tutors, offering personalized one-on-
one tutoring sessions.

Back then, the team was only made up of four academic tutors who led the tutoring program and actively
contributed to our center’s mission. During our initial stages, there was a challenge of limited student
awareness about the center’s services, leading to a shortage in both tutees seeking assistance and peer
tutors.

However, the academic year 2018 – 2019 marked a key moment as our Learning and Writing Support
Center evolved into the Academic Success Center (ASC). No more limited to the tutoring program, our
services had undergone a remarkable transformation. Today, the ASC’s scope has expanded, offering
assistance across a wider spectrum of courses, in alignment with the diverse needs of students from
various colleges at ADU. In addition to one-on-one tutoring, our services now include group tutoring
sessions, peer mentoring program, research and projects support, as well as workshops and competitions
that enable students think outside the box and nurture their creativity, leadership, and problem-solving
skills. While academic support remains at its core, our center now is also dedicated to fostering the holistic
development of our students. We understand that success requires more than just academic proficiency,
it calls for a diverse set of skills, qualities, and life experiences. As such, the ASC serves as a catalyst for
growth, providing opportunities for students to develop the essential skills and qualities that will help them
excel in their future careers.

Today, the ASC team is made up of 10 academic tutors and over 150 ASC members. The diverse ASC
members include not only Peer Tutors (PT), but also Course Assistants (CA), Peer Mentors (PM), as well
as tutees and mentees seeking support. Each member play integral roles in fostering a supportive and
collaborative learning environment within our center.

We welcome all ADU students who meet the center’s criteria to become part of the dynamic ASC family.
Together, we will continue to nurture a community where academic excellence and personal and
professional growth go hand in hand.

Your Academic Success Center Coordinators,
Duha Lababidi (Abu Dhabi Campus)
Nitin Serwa (Al Ain Campus)

Abu Dhabi University | ASC Highlights 23-24 Spring 23-24