As each semester moves forward, assignments, projects, and exams can quickly begin to stack up for students. At College of Western Idaho (CWI), Tutoring Services is available to help students stay on track, strengthen their understanding of course material, and build the skills needed to succeed in college and beyond.
CWI Tutoring Services is part of the College’s Learning Commons, which also includes the Library and the Writing & AI Literacy Center. Together, these academic support services help students navigate challenging coursework and build the skills needed to succeed.
Tutoring offers free academic support to currently enrolled students through multiple ways to connect with trained peer tutors. Whether students prefer working through questions one-on-one, attending a group session, or getting help online, tutoring is designed to meet students where they are in their learning journey.
Tutoring That Fits Different Learning Styles
Tutoring at CWI is not a single service, but a range of academic supports designed to fit different courses, schedules, and learning preferences.
Students can receive help through:
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Drop-in tutoring – Visit a tutoring center to ask quick questions or review course concepts.
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Scheduled appointments – Meet with a tutor for focused one-on-one support, online or on campus.
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On-demand tutoring – Connect with tutors remotely through Upswing, CWI’s scheduling platform, with support available from both CWI tutors and 24/7 online tutors.
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Study groups and workshops – Participate in sessions focused on study strategies, exam preparation, note-taking, and time management.
Tutoring Services is structured into five academic teams, each led by a supervisor. Tutors support students in all subject areas, including STEM, Health Professions, Career and Technical Education, Humanities, and Social Sciences. Tutors also support academic skills such as study strategies, time management, and computer literacy.
“Everyone can benefit from tutoring,” said Assistant Director of Tutoring Services, Valerie Lee. “Whether a student is excelling in a course or working to strengthen their understanding, tutoring provides an opportunity to reinforce learning and build confidence.”
In addition to helping students review assignments and prepare for exams, tutors can help students organize notes, develop study plans, and build stronger learning strategies.
Research at CWI also shows that students do not need to attend tutoring every week to see results. Students who attend just four to six tutoring sessions often see higher pass rates compared with the institutional average.
Support Built into the Classroom
Some tutoring support is integrated directly into specific courses through linked and embedded tutors.
Linked tutors serve as a resource for students enrolled in a particular course. They have successfully completed the same class, have access to the course materials and assignments in Canvas, and are available to meet with students for study sessions, office hours, or individual appointments.
Embedded tutors provide an even deeper level of support. These tutors attend class sessions throughout the semester and work closely with instructors to help reinforce course material and guide students as they practice new concepts.
This approach allows tutoring to become part of the learning process, giving students another layer of support as they navigate challenging coursework.
Students Helping Students
One of the most impactful aspects of tutoring at CWI is that many students are or were recently students themselves. Having experienced similar courses and challenges, tutors are able to relate to students and share strategies that support success.
That shared experience often helps students feel more comfortable knowing their tutor can fully relate. Students are able to ask questions, talk through difficult concepts, and learn from someone who recently navigated the same coursework.
For one CWI Computer Science and Information Technology student, that support made all the difference. Balancing a full-time job, family responsibilities, and an intense course load, he was on the verge of stepping away from his studies after facing a failing grade. He then turned to Tutoring Services who paired him with a fellow Computer Science student serving as a Tutor, and with her guidance, he not only recovered but rose to be one of the top performers in the class.
“Without her understanding and support, I would have failed that course and probably wouldn’t have continued at CWI,” the student said.
Become a Tutor
Tutoring Services is always looking for motivated students who enjoy helping others succeed.
Students interested in becoming tutors must earn an A or B in the courses they wish to support or demonstrate equivalent subject expertise. Tutors also participate in training sessions and regular meetings to ensure they are prepared to guide students effectively.
Through this training, tutors can work toward certification through the College Reading and Learning Association, an internationally recognized organization focused on academic support and learning assistance.
“Our goal is to support students as they work through ideas and concepts,” Lee said. “Tutors help students learn how to approach problems, develop study strategies, and build confidence in their coursework.”
Serving as a tutor also provides valuable experience for the students who take on the role. Tutors strengthen their own understanding of course material while building professional skills that employers value, such as communication, leadership, teamwork, and problem-solving.
Student Success Center
As CWI prepares to open the Student Success Center on the Nampa Campus this fall, Tutoring Services will move into the new facility alongside the Library and the Writing & AI Literacy Center as part of the Learning Commons. This model brings together key academic support services in one shared space.
By connecting tutoring, library services, and writing support, the Learning Commons will create a vibrant, dynamic and collaborative space shared between staff, tutors, and students. The shared space is designed to make it easier for students to find the help they need and take advantage of multiple resources during a single visit.
For more information about Tutoring Services or to request tutoring support, students can visit the tutoring centers at the Nampa Campus Academic Building (NCAB) and Ada County Center Pintail Building (APIN) or connect with the team online.
As CWI prepares for upcoming space transitions, including temporary and future locations, students are encouraged to visit the Tutoring Services webpage for the most up-to-date information on hours and locations.
