1.  Tell us a little about yourself…

My name is Joe, and I’ve been a PASS/SI leader for three semesters now. I lead sessions for CHEM 101 and 102 and PHYS 121. I come from Frederick County, MD, and I am a junior and a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology major here at UMBC. I hope to one day become a biology and/or chemistry teacher, and so am also studying for that.

2.  Tell us about how you are involved on campus.

Being an SI leader is a large commitment on my part, but when I’m not leading sessions I play tuba in the UMBC Pep Band. I’m also a TA in the Chemistry Discovery Center.

3.  How and why did you get involved in being a SI/PASS Leader?

I was referred to SI/PASS through a friend of mine who was also an SI/PASS leader at the time, but I really became involved with it because of my desire to teach. I’ve been seeking out teaching-related internships and programs to further that end.

4.  What is your favorite thing about being a SI/PASS Leader?

Teaching is its own reward, and my favorite thing about being an SI leader is being able to help out other students. There really is such a great feeling that comes with helping others.

5.  Why should students utilize SI/PASS Sessions?

Students attend SI/PASS sessions to better understand the course material, but also to learn important study techniques. Students come who either have difficulty with the material and need help or understand the material and want to help others. SI/PASS will help all students.

6.  What advice would you give students about how to prepare for a SI/PASS session?

Bring any questions you may have about any of the material, or even things regarding class logistics. Be prepared to help answer other students’ questions as well, because the best way to learn is to teach.

7.  When and where can someone work with you through the Writing Center?

My Chem 101 sessions are Mondays and Wednesdays, 11:00-11:50 AM in UC 115.

Hope to see you there!

In honor of Tutor Appreciation Week, get to know our tutors:

1.  Tell us a little about yourself...

My name is Morgan Zepp. I'm  from Catonsville and I'm a junior studying English Literature, Global Studies, Writing, and Spanish.   

2.  Tell us about how you are involved on campus.

Since I was a freshman living on the Shriver Living Learning Community, I've been deeply involved in doing service through UMBC's center for Civic Engagement, the Shriver Center. In particular, I've tutored at Arbutus Middle School for 2 years and now I help to coordinate the service site. I've also helped coordinate a program called the Reach Initiative, which brings high school girls from Baltimore who have an interest in STEM to UMBC to be mentored by female UMBC students. It has a specific focus on gender empowerment. As a result of this, I've gotten involved with SGA and am now an Assistant Director for Community and Service Outreach.

3.  How and why did you get involved in being a Writing Center tutor?

I started my training to be a tutor last fall.

I decided to get involved with the Writing Center because I've always had a deep interest in academic writing. In high school, people told me that the comments I left on their papers were helpful, so I figured that I could use that skill to be even more helpful to people. I've also had a lot of experience with one-on-one tutoring, and I think that it's a very productive forum for learning. 

4.  What is your favorite thing about being a Writing Center tutor?

I enjoy having great conversations with people about their writing, especially when people are still in the "ideas" stage and they'd like someone to discuss preliminary arguments with-- that's such a dynamic stage in the writing process and a very interesting place to start a conversation.

5.  Why should students utilize the Writing Center?

I think people underestimate how helpful it might be to talk through the structure of a paper and discuss the impact of its arguments. Even something as little as being asked to read a paper aloud could be very helpful in terms of getting an understanding of how it sounds and flows.

6.  What advice would you give students about how to prepare for a Writing Center tutoring session?

Honestly, I don't really think that people need to prepare. Even if someone comes in with a prompt and a very general idea of what they'd like to do, we can still have a productive session, so I think that coming in to the Writing Center is all about the stage that the individual is at in the process.

7.  When and where can someone work with you through the Writing Center?

I work on Mondays from 11-3:30! 

Sign up for an appointment