Faculty Presentation

Department Name/Function Mission: To serve the students of the Northern Virginia Community College system by providing a staff of tutors that can assist students in any subject the college offers, free of charge, so they can better succeed in their academic and professional goals. The PIER is a place where students can come for walk-in help in math, writing, accounting, Spanish, Biology, and Chemistry. We can also provide tutors for other subjects through our Tutor Request service. At least one math and one writing tutor are on duty at all times during our posted hours (please visit room 328 or our webpage for current semester hours). There is no limit to the number of hours for which students may seek help in the PIER for all math and writing questions. Additionally, students can utilize the PIER as a study space, and we have laptops and graphing calculators that students can use while in the Center.

Department Name/Function People and Roles: Coordinator of Academic and Tutoring Services Chris Stallings Assistant Tutoring Coordinator Emily Stinson The tutors themselves are students at NOVA that have excelled in their subjects and have a desire to help other students succeed. PIER Website:

Department Name/Function Location: The PIER is located in room 328 of the Seefeldt building on the Woodbridge campus. Phone number: Fall 2011 Hours: Math & Writing AccountingBiologyChemistrySpanish Mon-Thu: 9am to 7pm Mon: 10am to 1pmTues: 10am to 12pmMon: 3pm to 5pmMon: 2pm to 4pm Friday: 9am to 2pm Thurs: 12pm to 2pmFri: 12pm to 2pmTues: 10am to 12pmThu: 1pm to 3pm Saturday: 11am to 2pm 5pm to 7pm *Our hours change each semester. Please visit room 328 or check the PIER Tutoring Center website for updated hour information* We can find a tutor for any subject the school offers. Students should sign in with their student ID number at the front computer when they come into the PIER. Students seeking tutoring help should come prepared with course materials, including textbooks, sample problems, essay drafts, etc. Students should come with a student ID if they wish to check out a laptop or graphing calculator. The PIER is not an editing service. Students cannot drop off their papers and have them edited. Writing tutors will sit down with students to discuss their writing, focusing on higher level concerns.

Department Name/Function FAQ’s: Do I need to make an appointment? How much does it cost? What are your hours? What if I need help in a subject other than Math or Writing? What if I need help in a subject that you don’t hold regular hours in? If Woodbridge isn’t my primary campus, can I still visit the PIER? My professor wants proof that I came to get tutoring help. Is there a form I can get that will show I met with a tutor? Can a tutor edit my paper for me? What should I bring with me to the PIER? Can I print in the PIER?

Department Name/Function Problems/Challenges: Students have heard misinformation about the PIER that prevents them from coming to seek our services, such as that they need to pay to use the service or that they need to make an appointment. Students seeking help in writing do not need to have a completed paper in order to seek help. They can come in at any point in the writing process. The PIER cannot replace classroom instruction; it is meant to supplement it. Students still must attend all their classes. A tutor will not do a student’s homework for them. Tutors will guide or answer questions, and can help check homework, but they will not do the assignment for the student.

Department Name/Function - Anything Else? The PIER has a program called NOVA Gold that places student tutors into Developmental Math and English classrooms on the Woodbridge campus to assist professors and provide help to students. The PIER also offers free educational workshops for NOVA students. Past topics include resume writing, creative research writing, developmental writing, and writing for the sciences. Please call the PIER or visit room 328 to inquire about upcoming workshops. If students are interested in becoming a tutor, they should speak with Emily Stinson They must be NOVA students but Woodbridge does not need to be their primary