EWU PLUS Tutoring and Academic Coaching

EWU’s Program Leading to University Success (PLUS) provides FREE resources for ALL Eagles to help them succeed in their courses. PLUS has three main services: Tutoring, Study Groups, and Academic Coaching. One of the amazing aspects about PLUS is that each resource is a peer-to-peer learning opportunity. Meaning, students work with fellow students to develop a better understanding of course material and skills to be successful as a college student.

PLUS employees are students who have received a B+ or better in their courses and are recommended by their previous instructors to join the team. Tutors, Study Group Leaders, and Academic Coaches go through at least 20-30 hours of training making them well prepared to help every Eagle that comes into the space.

PLUS Tutoring has three main services connected to it: Small Group Tutoring, eTutoring, and Virtual Reality (VR) Tutoring. In the 2023-2024 academic year, there were nearly 3,800 total hours of students utilizing tutoring services.

Small Group Tutoring consists of students working with a PLUS Tutor for two hours a week. They work together with up to five of their peers. Students come to sessions with their questions and the tutor supports them by explaining the material in different learning styles to help fulfill each unique students’ needs. Students may request tutoring services through the PLUS website. PLUS receives feedback from the students that attend tutoring sessions, and one student was so pleased that they stated, “Caitlin is awesome, 10/10. It’s my 5th quarter with her, and I couldn’t ask for a better tutor!”

eTutoring is an online service that students can use even on the weekends to help them with many subject areas. PLUS is connected to a national online tutoring service, which means students will be working with a certified tutor from anywhere in the nation. With many of the math, science, and writing classes, there’s availability from 7am-10pm everyday of the week with no appointment necessary.

VR Tutoring is an innovative, fun, and interactive way for students to learn course material. PLUS has partnered with Curio XR to provide FREE virtual reality resources to all EWU students. Ever wondered what the human brain, skeletal system, muscular system, and the heart look like in a 3D environment? You can see it all in VR tutoring sessions. There’s also VR Playground where students can use a headset on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 11am-1pm for the entire Fall 24 Quarter.

Study Groups are provided at both the Cheney and Spokane campuses. Similar to tutoring, study groups help students understand course material. However, the Study Group Leader meets weekly with their assigned instructor to develop a lesson plan to review course content. Content and learning strategies are built into the session, including review of lecture notes, problem-solving exercises, along with pair- or team- based activities. Attendees work together with their fellow classmates to master course content. Additionally, Study Group Leaders have cohort meetings throughout the year in order to continue professional development.

Academic Coaching is where students develop their academic skills such as time-management, study strategies, motivation, emotional wellness, and so much more. Coachees develop the skills needed to be a successful Eagle in their classes and in the EWU community. These transferable skills are not only helpful to students while at EWU, but also when they graduate. While academic coaching specializes in helping students through their first year, all students from freshman to graduate level utilize academic coaching. During the 2023-2024 academic year, students that utilized academic coaching feel more confident, are more likely to continue their education at EWU, and overall do better in their courses.

Check out the PLUS website at https://inside.ewu.edu/plus/, contact them at plusstudent@ewu.edu, call them at 509.359.6505, or come to the PLUS Area in the JFK Library Learning Commons to learn more about their services today!