Student Success Center (formerly the Academic Resource Center)


For Spring 2021, tutoring and other support services will be offered remotely

The Student Success Center is the University's centralized location for academic support. The Student Success Center is located in Keiss Library on the Gwynedd Valley campus and offers the following services:

APA 7th Edition Resources (Student Version)

       
 

MLA Resources (8th Ed.)

    

Writing Resources

  

Academic Coaching

Academic Coaching is available to all university students who would like to enhance their general academic skills. Students can meet one-on-one with an Academic Coach or attend workshops throughout the year to work on skills such as:

  • Time management
  • Studying Skills
  • Reading Strategies
  • Note Taking Skills

Tutoring – Course Content

Tutoring sessions are scheduled for half-hour or one-hour sessions for a one-time appointment or weekly throughout the semester.  Due to high demand, we strongly encourage scheduling appointments in advance.

We will:

  • Encourage independent and intentional learning
  • Expect student to come with specific questions that demonstrates prior effort
  • Review practice problems and the concepts behind homework problems

But we cannot:

  • Teach course material in lieu of going to class
  • Discuss homework that has not already been submitted
  • Help students who come unprepared

Students may schedule regular tutoring appointments (e.g. weekly, biweekly, etc.) for a specific subject with a particular tutor. However, if three appointments are missed without first cancelling, we will not be able to make appointments for the remainder of that particular semester for that student.  

To cancel or reschedule an appointment, contact the Student Success Center at 267-448-1370 or studentsuccess@gmercyu.edu.

English Language Tutoring

Writing Tutors – Peer and Professional

Writing tutoring is available to help students write for any course – and at any stage of the writing process, including pre-writing.  Writing tutorials are available in-person and via email with the writing specialist.
 

Writing Tutors Can Help Students:

  • Overcome frustration by asking questions to assist with writing a thesis statement and topic sentences, and more
  • Strengthen the clarity and focus by making suggestions to revise ideas and sentences and apply grammar and style guidelines
  • Recognize and revise patterns of writing error and overcome personal writing challenges

Writing Tutors Cannot:

  • Proofread any part of a paper or guarantee a certain grade
  • Give meaningful feedback on a paper on the same day the paper is due
  • Write or tell students what to write for any part of a paper

Math Tutors – Peer and Professional

In addition to professional tutoring, the Math Specialist offers workshops on a variety of Math topics and also oversees Math Modules, a series of math lessons and problems designed to help students understand the topics they need for the next mathematics course required by their major.

 

Academic Information Sessions and Workshops

Academic Information Sessions and Workshops on APA format, study skills, test-taking, and note-taking are offered to assist students with these foundational skills. Additional workshops also are offered throughout the year based on student and faculty needs.  Our workshops are generally hour-long sessions. Documentation on workshop subject matter is provided to all attendees.

To register for an advertised information session or workshop, email at studentsuccess@gmercyu.edu, visit our office, or call 267-448-1370. Due to limited space, please reserve a seat at least one day in advance.

The Student Success Center offers these workshops and other academic services to all students, faculty and staff free of charge. To request a workshop for a class or peer study group, please call the Student Success Center.

Some Writing Information Session topics include:

  • Organizing a paper in APA Format’s 7th Edition
  • Using MS Word to Format APA 7th Edition
  • Writing an APA Annotated bibliography
  • MLA Format Review
  • Punctuation Review
     

Contact Us

Phone: 267-448-1370
Email: studentsuccess@gmercyu.edu
 

Student Success Center Staff

Julie Bullock, Administrative Assistant, Student Success Center
215-646-7300 ext. 21000
bullock.j@gmercyu.edu

Meredith J. Hoch-Oescher, Dean of Student Success 
EdD, Higher Education, Immaculata University
MA, English, The College of New Jersey
BA, English, East Stroudsburg University
267-448-1449
hoch-oescher.m@gmercyu.edu
 

Office of Academic Advising

Bonnie Jeffers, Assistant Dean of Advising and Retention
M.Ed., Higher Education Administration, Northeastern University
B.A., English & Political Thought, Muhlenberg College
Ext. 21049
jeffers.p@gmercyu.edu


Advising Staff for Term Programs

Matthew N. Woodward, Student Success Specialist for Term Programs
B.S., Organizational Behavior and Applied Psychology, Albright College
Ext. 21486
woodward.m@gmercyu.edu

Advising Staff for Non-Term Programs

Erica Dercole, Coordinator of Non-Term Advising and Academic Advisor
M.Ed., Student Affairs Leadership in Higher Education, Widener University
B.A., English, Penn State University
Ext. 21006
dercole.e@gmercyu.edu

Mike Hertel, Academic Advisor 
M.Ed., Counseling and Development, Montana State Northern
B.A., History and Government, University of Notre Dame
Ext. 21025
hertel.m@gmercyu.edu

Holly A. Lightcap, Student Success Specialist for Non-Term Programs
M.A., Student Affairs in Higher Education, Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP)
B.A., Speech Communications, Susquehanna University
Ext. 21047
lightcap.h@gmercyu.edu

Carol Ribner, Academic Advisor 
Professional Diploma in School District Administration, CW Post College, Long Island University
M.S., Education, Bank Street College of Education
B.A., Human Communications and Elementary Education, Hunter College, City University of New York
Ext. 21022
ribner.c@gmercyu.edu

Sarah Smalarz, Academic Advisor 
M.Ed., Holy Family University
B.S., Elementary Education, Kutztown University
267-485-1630
smalarz.s@gmercyu.edu

 

Office of First-Year Experience

Kim Cooney, Ed.D, Director, First Year Experience Program
Ed.D., Higher Education, Immacula Unviersity
MS, Administration of Human Services, Chestnut Hill College
BA, Psychology, Temple UniversityMS, Administration of Human Services, Chestnut Hill College

Office of Tutoring Services and Placement Assessments

Stephanie Alderfer, Director, Tutoring Services & Placement Assessments
MS, Education, Gwynedd Mercy University
BS, Business Administration and Elementary Education Certification, Gwynedd Mercy University
267-448-1347
alderfer.s@gmercyu.edu 

Joseph Azzarano, Math Specialist
MS, Education, Gwynedd Mercy University
BS, Mathematics, Gwynedd Mercy University
215-646-7300 ext. 21828
azzarano.j1@gmercyu.edu

Tami Nosal, Writing Specialist
MA, Writing Studies, St. Joseph's University
BA, English, Rutgers University
215-646-7300, ext. 21108
nosal.t@gmercyu.edu
 

Office of Accessibility Services

Brandi Crawford, Director of Accessibility Services
MSW, Temple University
BA, Sociology, Indiana University of Pennsylvania
215-646-7300, ext. 21014
crawford.b@gmercyu.edu

Erik Azzarano, Testing Coordinator
BS, Psychology/Game Design and Development, Rochester Institute of Technology
215-646-7300, ext. 21463
azzarano.e@gmercyu.edu
 

Office of Career Development

Nick Schaefer, Director of Career Development
MA, Counseling, Manhattan College
BA, Communications, Rider University
Certificate, Positive Psychology, University of Pennsylvania (Coursera)
215-646-7300, ext. 21420
schaefer.n@gmercyu.edu

Casey Hilferty, Associate Director of Career Development
MEd, Educational Leadership, Lehigh University
BA, History, Moravian College
Deputy Title IX Coordinator
215-646-7300, ext. 21572
hilferty.c@gmercyu.edu