The Student Tutoring and Academic Resource Institute or better known as the STAR Institute provides free tutoring services to students on both the Huntsville and Decatur Campuses. Whether the student is online, in-person, or both, the STAR institute is available to every student.
STAR offers in person and online tutoring in most all subjects offered as well as group reviews, drop in homework help, and printing kiosks. Star also offers success seminars on topics such as time management, mental health, how to be successful in college, and even money.
“It is important that students utilize STAR mainly because we can help them be successful in their coursework,” Valerie Cox, the director of student success, said. “Many times, students wait until they are struggling and then are hesitant to seek help. STAR Institute is there to help before students start struggling. It is also important to note that all our services (except for printing) are free.”
STAR has one academic success coordinator for each campus, Lisa Fletcher and Felisha Taylor, as well as a tutor coordinator, Marty Kellum. With the help of the STAR Institute staff and tutors, students have been able to succeed in their classes.
“We recently pulled the numbers for Spring 2021. 350 students attended one-on-one appointments. 300 of those students completed the semester with a ‘C’ or better. STAR students have an 85 percent success rate,” Fletcher said.
Eleanor Stokes is a student taking a majority of her classes in Decatur. Having trouble with a rhetorical analysis paper for her english class, she sought help at STAR virtually and ended up making an A on her paper.
“My tutor guided me through my paper helping me with what I needed to change to make it stronger and make it flow better. I definitely plan to use their services again for not just english, but any subject I need help in,” Stokes said.
An appointment can be made online through the mycalhoun portal by clicking on “TracCloud/SAGE,” it also has a picture icon of STAR. Once it loads, there is a selection for available dates, times, and it also loads the subjects the student is currently enrolled in. All sessions are 50 minutes each and a student can schedule up to three appointments a week.
“Students can schedule an online appointment in the same manner as they do with an in-person appointment. Virtual appointments are available all day and evening. Online Sessions can take place through Blackboard Collaborate, Zoom, or Microsoft Teams,” Fletcher said. “Students can also elect to simply email the Tutor and receive feedback in that format. Our goal is to meet the need of each student, so we will use the platform that best fits each student.”