Student Success Center
The Student Success Center is the University's centralized location for academic support. Located in the Keiss Library on the Gwynedd Valley campus, the Student Success Center offers the following services:
- Academic Advising for undeclared, undecided, and change of major students
- Success Coaching
- Academic Information Sessions and Workshops
- Accessibility Services
- Career Development Center
- Peer & Professional Tutoring
- Placement Assessments
Contact Us
APA 7th Edition Resources (Student Version)
MLA Resources (8th Ed.)
MLA 9th Edition Packet MLA Sample Paper
MLA Format for Papers MLA Works Cited Template
Writing Resources
Success Coaching
Success Coaching is available to all university students who would like to enhance their general academic skills. Students can meet one-on-one with a Success 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
Make an Appointment
To request a tutoring session, please click the "Make an Appointment" button above and complete the form. Tutoring sessions are generally scheduled for half-hour or one-hour sessions for a one-time appointment or weekly throughout the semester. Sessions can be held in-person or remotely.
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 make, cancel, or reschedule an appointment, contact the Student Success Center at 267-448-1370 or email studentsuccess@gmercyu.edu.
English Language Tutoring
English Language Tutoring Information
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.
How to Approach Word Problems, With Examples Nursing Math Problem Examples
Online Tutor Services
In addition to GMercyU student and professional tutors, the University also offers all students 24/7 online content and writing tutorial services through Brainfuse. The link to Brainfuse is available through all courses in Canvas.
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
Arlicia C. Miller, Director of Advising and Retention
EdD, Curriculum and Instruction, Capella University
MFA, Creative Writing, Full Sail University
BA, English, Rosemont College
215-646-7300 x21049
miller.a1@gmercyu.edu
Advising Staff for Term Programs
Suzanne Hamilton, Coordinator and Advisor for University Studies
M.S.Ed, Higher Education, University of Pennsylvania
BA, Psychology, Pennsylvania State University
215-646-7300 x21323
hamilton.s@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
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
cooney.k@gmercyu.edu
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
Please contact accessibilityservices@gmercyu.edu with any accessibility questions.
Kelly Kiefer, Director of Student Accessibility Services
MS, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, West Chester University
215-646-7300, ext. 21014
kiefer.k@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