Seton Hall Tutoring Staff Engages in Professional Development at CRLA PA/NJ Regional Conference
Thursday, March 20, 2025
Tutoring staff at Princeton University.
On March 14, 2025, a group of 26 Seton Hall tutors, Supplemental Instructors (SIs) and peer academic success coaches traveled to Princeton University to attend the PA/NJ regional conference of the College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA). This event, entitled Empowering Growth: Non-Traditional Pathways in Traditional Learning Spaces, brought together learning support professionals and student leaders from across the region to engage in a day of professional development, collaboration and networking.
The conference began with an address from Margie A. Kerbel, President of the PA/NJ region of CRLA and a faculty member at Reading Area Community College. Kerbel emphasized the importance of learning support services in higher education, highlighting the evolving role of tutors, SI leaders and academic coaches in fostering student success. She encouraged attendees to embrace innovative strategies, adapt to emerging educational technologies and prioritize holistic support for students navigating the challenges of college life.
Throughout the day, Seton Hall students attended various engaging sessions tailored to their roles as academic support providers. Workshops covered crucial topics such as working with students with disabilities, implementing academic coaching strategies for holistic student development, managing tutor compassion fatigue and leveraging AI to bridge educational gaps for non-traditional students. These sessions provided valuable insights and practical tools that the attendees could bring back to Seton Hall’s Academic Resource Center (ARC) and other learning support programs on campus including the office of Academic Support for Student-Athletes, EOP, The Math Learning Lab, and Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental.
One of the highlights of the conference was a presentation by Peer Academic Coach Coordinator Lauren Cinquino and Program Coordinator Ted McCulloch, both representing Seton Hall’s Academic Resource Center. Their session, titled "Fostering Intrinsic Motivation Through Self-Exploration in Academic Coaching," delved into the ways academic coaches can help students develop self-awareness and take ownership of their learning journeys. By integrating reflective practices and personalized goal setting, the presenters demonstrated how academic coaches can empower students to become more engaged and self-motivated learners. The session was well-received, sparking meaningful discussions among attendees about best practices in academic coaching.
The conference also provided an excellent opportunity for networking, allowing Seton Hall’s student leaders to connect with professional staff and peers from other institutions. Engaging in conversations with tutors and academic coaches from diverse educational backgrounds, they exchanged ideas, shared experiences and discussed common challenges faced in their respective institutions. These interactions reinforced the collaborative spirit of the conference and provided inspiration for new initiatives to enhance academic support at Seton Hall.
The event concluded with a compelling keynote address delivered by Cara McClintock from Princeton University’s McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning. McClintock spoke about the Community College Engagement program (PCCE) which plays a pivotal role in managing academic partnerships with New Jersey’s community colleges. She discussed how PCCE enhances educational opportunities for non-traditional students, supports community college faculty through an exchange program, and promotes social mobility by accepting and retaining community college students.
By the end of the day, the Seton Hall tutors, SIs and academic coaches left the conference feeling energized and equipped with new strategies to enhance their work. Their participation in the CRLA regional conference reinforced Seton Hall’s commitment to academic excellence and student success, ensuring that the university remains at the forefront of innovative learning support initiatives.
Categories: Nation and World
