At Duquesne University, we understand that mastering effective Learning Skills is crucial for academic success. That’s why the Michael P. Weber Learning Skills Center is dedicated to providing all students with free tutoring and comprehensive programs designed to enhance your learning skills across all disciplines. Whether you’re grappling with calculus, exploring chemistry, diving into languages, or analyzing literature, our center is your partner in academic excellence.
Our commitment to your success is reflected in our rigorous tutor selection process. We ensure that you receive the highest quality support, contributing to Duquesne’s strong student retention rate. Beyond the university campus, we extend our expertise to the wider Pittsburgh community through collaborations with Pittsburgh Public Schools and various outreach initiatives.
Comprehensive Student Services to Boost Your Learning Journey
The Michael P. Weber Learning Skills Center offers a wide array of FREE services tailored to meet your diverse learning needs:
Flexible Tutoring Options:
- In-Person and Online Tutoring: Access support in the format that best suits your schedule and learning style.
- Personalized and Group Sessions: Benefit from one-on-one attention, small group collaboration, or large group workshops.
Diverse Tutoring Types:
- Course-Based Tutoring: Get targeted help in specific registered courses to solidify your understanding and improve your grades.
- Developmental Tutoring: Strengthen essential learning skills for current and future coursework, and for personal enrichment beyond academics.
- Exam Review Workshops (ERWs): Prepare effectively for crucial exams in challenging subjects like Biology, General and Organic Chemistry, and College Algebra.
- Academic Strategies and Study Planning: Develop effective study habits and learn how to plan your academic workload for optimal performance.
For personalized guidance and to explore our tutoring services, connect with our Tutorial Coordinator, April Wade. To request tutoring, please complete our Google form.
Alt: April Wade, Tutorial Coordinator at Duquesne University Learning Skills Center, expert in academic learning skills support.
Empowering Courses to Strengthen Your Academic Foundation
We offer specialized courses designed to equip you with robust learning skills that will empower you to excel in any subject:
Strategies for Academic Success:
This foundational course provides you with essential tools to navigate the demands of university academics. You’ll explore your individual learning style and develop critical skills in time management, effective goal setting, critical and creative thinking, reading comprehension, efficient note-taking, and proven test-taking strategies. This course is your toolkit for mastering learning skills essential for college success.
Introduction to University Success:
Transitioning to university life is a significant step. This course is designed to help you smoothly adapt to your new environment at Duquesne University. We focus on familiarizing you with the campus community – fellow students, faculty, staff, key services, and facilities – enabling you to maximize your overall college experience and build a solid foundation for learning skills development within the university context.
Pathways to Success:
Specifically designed for second-semester freshmen who may have faced academic challenges in their first semester (QPA below 2.00), this course addresses common hurdles to academic success. We explore factors such as campus connection, major and course selection, homesickness, time management, and study skills deficits. Pathways to Success provides targeted strategies to overcome these challenges and cultivate effective learning skills for future academic achievements.
Specialized Support for International Students:
Recognizing the unique needs of our international student community, the Center offers two tailored College Success courses. These courses address the specific adjustments and challenges faced by students from abroad, providing valuable support to enhance their learning skills and overall university experience. These courses are available for zero or one credit.
Academic Strategies for International Students:
This course is specifically crafted to help international students understand the nuances of the U.S. university system. Course content encompasses crucial learning skills such as effective goal setting within a new academic culture, understanding instructor expectations, time management in a different environment, navigating library research resources, academic planning for a foreign degree, fostering creative thinking in a new context, efficient note-taking in lectures, and adapting test-taking strategies to U.S. academic norms.
Seminar for New International Students:
This seminar provides a supportive environment for new undergraduate and graduate international students to adjust to both the social and academic facets of Duquesne University life. It focuses on building community and fostering learning skills that are adaptable to a new cultural and educational setting.
For more information about these specialized courses for international students, please contact our Associate Director, Dr. Uhuru Hotep.
Alt: Dr. Uhuru Hotep, Associate Director at Duquesne University Learning Skills Center, specializing in academic strategies for diverse learners.
Academic Life Coaching: Personalized Guidance for Learning Excellence
The Michael P. Weber Learning Skills Center’s Academic Life Coaching Program offers Duquesne University students access to certified life coaches. Every member of our Learning Skills Center staff is a certified coach, skilled in providing personalized and individualized support. Your Academic Life Coach serves as your guide, motivator, accountability partner, and confidant. They focus on analyzing your current learning habits and collaboratively develop strategies to work effectively towards your academic and personal goals. This personalized approach ensures you cultivate effective learning skills tailored to your unique needs.
Dedicated Programs Fostering Opportunity and Success
The Learning Skills Center is home to several dedicated programs aimed at promoting access and achievement for diverse student populations:
Act 101 Program:
Guided by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s guidelines, the Act 101 Program is committed to creating college enrollment and success opportunities for students facing economic, educational, or social disadvantages. This program serves students from both the Gussin Spiritan Division and the wider university, providing critical support to ensure equitable access to higher education and the development of essential learning skills. For further details, contact our PA Acts 101 Advisor, Josephine Rizzo.
Alt: Josephine Rizzo, PA Acts 101 Advisor and Reading Specialist at Duquesne University, advocating for inclusive learning skills development.
Outreach Opportunity Program Students (OOPS):
The OOPS program is specifically designed to enhance the academic performance of identified students who are performing marginally and to improve overall student retention and persistence towards degree completion. This program provides targeted interventions and resources to help students strengthen their learning skills and achieve their academic goals. For more information, please contact our Assistant to the Director of Retention and Evaluation, Ameya Ranade.
PACT Tutorial Assistance Program:
Extending our commitment to learning skills development beyond the university, the PACT program partners with the Pittsburgh community to support elementary, middle, and high school students. Duquesne students serve as tutors in reading, math, science, computers, social studies, and foreign languages, earning course credit, work-study opportunities, or volunteer hours. PACT tutors are dedicated to providing academic support, skill-building, mentoring, and career exploration opportunities to local students, fostering a culture of learning skills development across all ages. For more information, please contact our PACT Coordinator, Vicki Bush.
Alt: Vicki Bush, PACT Coordinator and Assistant Director of Counseling Services at Duquesne University, promoting community learning skills development.
Meet the Leadership Driving Learning Skills Excellence
The Michael P. Weber Learning Skills Center is led by a dedicated team committed to fostering a supportive and effective learning environment:
Judith Griggs Ph.D., M.A., B.S.
Director
Gussin Spiritan Division and Michael P. Weber Learning Skills Center
– (412) 396-6661
– griggsFREEDUQUESNE
– Ground Floor Administration Building
Alt: Judith Griggs Ph.D., Director of Duquesne University Learning Skills Center, leading with expertise in learning skills and academic support.
Tamia Pringle
Office Manager
Alt: Tamia Pringle, Office Manager at Duquesne University Learning Skills Center, ensuring smooth operations for learning skills programs.
Ameya Ranade
Assistant to Director of Retention and Evaluation
Alt: Ameya Ranade, Assistant to the Director of Retention and Evaluation at Duquesne University, focusing on student retention and learning skills improvement.
Contact Us to Enhance Your Learning Skills Today!
Michael P. Weber Learning Skills Center
- (412) 396-6661
- lscgradFREEDUQUESNE
- 2nd Floor, Student Union
- Monday to Thursday: 8:30 a.m. to 10 p.m., Friday: 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.
We are here to support you in developing and refining your learning skills to achieve your academic goals at Duquesne University. Reach out today to discover how we can help you succeed!
