Celebrate National Tutor Appreciation Week by getting to know a tutor!

Thomas Chapin

Tell us a little about yourself.

​I'm an Environmental Sciences (B.S.) major, and I aspire to be a Plant Ecologist. I grow a bunch of herbs and ethnobotanical plants (stevia, St. John's wort, etc.). I love to be outdoors and care for and study plants and animals.

Tell us about how you are involved on campus.

​Other than tutoring Writing, Environmental Science and Conservation (GES 120) , and Biology 141, I am part of the Garden Club and sometimes I show up to Astronomy Club meetings to talk about space. ​

How and why did you get involved in being a tutor?

​My instructor suggested that I become a writing tutor after I took English 100 with her. I took the training course and became one because I had always been an effective teacher and loved talking to people about things they are interested in.

What is your favorite thing about being a tutor?

​My favorite part about being a tutor is the happiness that I feel when someone comes to me lacking direction and passion for their paper and leaves with a newfound hope and interest in the subject matter. I love brainstorming with students to help them find what they find most interesting about a subject, then helping them to develop a question or thesis that explores and answers it.

Why should students utilize the tutoring?

​Tutoring is free and I've found things that could be improved upon in nearly every paper that I've seen. Why would someone pass up a better grade out of pride?​

What advice would you give students about how to prepare for a tutoring session? 

​I would advise that they actually have background knowledge about the subject matter. If they don't know what else to write about, the answer is always to do more research and draw connections with new information. If you do not know something, at least know a reference where it can be found (and cite it).​

When and where can someone work with you through the Learning Resources Center?

​Though I only offer a few hours a week ​tutoring in the Writing Center (Tues, Thurs 1-2pm), I often pick up the hours of other tutors when they call out, and I am often doing homework at the writing center. Unfortunately, I'm fully booked tutoring Biology and GES 120, but I'm always available if anyone has questions about the subject matter. 

It's National Tutor Appreciation Week, so get to know one of UMBC's amazing tutors!

Veneeth Antony

Tell us a little about yourself.

Hello everyone! My name is Veneeth Antony, I am a Bioinformatics & Computational Biology Major, Pre-Med Track, currently a junior. I tutor Chem 101/102/351/352, Math 151 and below, Physics 111, and Biol 302 and below. My favorite music album is Under Pressure by Logic, give it a listen! I like playing soccer, volleyball, and tennis recreationally with friends. I also enjoy going on scenic hikes as well. 

Tell us about how you are involved on campus.

I am a researcher in a Bioinformatics Lab on campus, PI is Dr. Maricel Kann. I am Treasurer for National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) and Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF), check us out! I am a Teaching Assistant for CHEM 351 and BIOL 302. I am also part of delta class of the professional Medical Fraternity Phi Delta Epsilon.

How and why did you get involved in being a tutor? 

I enjoyed tutoring whenever I was given the opportunity in high school and when taking my classes. I found it rewarding and I understood the material much better after tutoring as well. One of my fellow classmates recommend that I apply to be a tutor for the LRC. Being able to be payed for tutoring and offering it for free to students sounded like an amazing opportunity so I filled out an application, received an interview, and here I am!

What is your favorite thing about being a tutor?

My favorite thing about being a tutor is a student walking out after a session with a better understanding of a concept they were struggling with when the came in. I also love meeting and interacting with new students. 

Why should students utilize tutoring?

Tutoring is super beneficial. I have used it when taking most of my more difficult classes and it just helps to solidify my understanding of material. It also ensures you at least spend an hour a week on material you may not have spent time on.

What advice would you give students on about how to prepare for a tutoring session?

The best way to prepare for a tutoring session is to have questions and concepts prepared for the tutor. Come in with having practice completed so you know what skills you need improving upon. If you do that the tutor can also offer short cuts or tips catered to your needs. 

When and where can someone work with you through the Learning Resources Center?

You can find me at the first floor of the LRC, Wednesdays from 4:00 - 6:00PM, hope to see you there!

Celebrate National Tutor Appreciation Week!

Get to know one of UMBC's fabulous Writing Center Tutors: 

Taylor Davis

Tell us a little about yourself.

My name is Taylor Davis. This is my ninth semester at UMBC, so that makes me a super senior! I'm pursuing a Graphic Design BFA, with minors in Creative Writing and Spanish, and I have plans to graduate this coming winter. Yay! 

Tell us about how you are involved on campus.

Primarily, I am a Writing Center tutor, a Writing Fellow for Eng 100 classes, and I've started appointment tutoring for SPAN 101, 102, & 103. I also co-founded a new student organization on campus: Retriever Design Club. Our mission, in short, is: "We create cool things, together." Essentially, we facilitate collaboration between any and all aspiring designers on campus, regardless of their major. We recognize that design is versatile, and what better way to enjoy its potential than by working with a bunch of creative minds all under one roof? I also recently joined the Caribbean Students Council, which has been an incredibly humbling experience as I've gotten more in touch with my own culture. 

How and why did you get involved in being a tutor?

I was offered the opportunity to take the Internship class for Writing Center tutors during the fall semester of my sophomore year. I've worked under the LRC ever since!

What is your favorite thing about being a tutor?

Definitely being able to offer my aid to students in need. I've always adored writing, both in the academic and recreational senses, so having that incorporated into a job is fantastic. I appreciate that we strive to be approachable peers, rather than figures of authority whom would otherwise make sessions seem intimidating or uncomfortable. We're all students; we've been there, done that!

Why should students utilize the tutoring?

It's a free service– that fits under the college student's budget! Plus, I find that it always helps to reach out, even when you're absolutely, 100% confident in your work. There's always areas that could be improved. With writing in particular, sometimes you just need that little bit of feedback from an outside, objective reader to help you progress forward in your draft.

What advice would you give students about how to prepare for a tutoring session? 

Breathe! Just come in and be ready to voice your concerns about the assignment, whatever they may be. You're more than welcome to return for more sessions/make more appointments. If it's for writing, bring a physical copy of your assignment if possible, so your tutor can make revisions on a separate paper that doesn't interfere with your note-taking. 

When and where can someone work with you through the Learning Resources Center?

I tutor at the WC from 2-4 on Mondays, and 1-3:30 on Wednesdays. However, I also take desk staffing hours on Friday– if you happen to see me in the area (which I usually always am) feel free to stop me with any questions, or to just say hello!

Have you completed research that you want to refine and publish?

Would you like to be able to put “published author” on your resume?

Would you like professional criticism on your writing from a peer and faculty reviewers?

Submit your paper to the 2018 UMBC Reviewfor consideration. Direct all questions to our editors at umbcreview@umbc.edu.

The Deadline has been extended: September 27, 2017

Note: You can submit even after you graduate, as long as the research was done while you were an undergraduate at UMBC.