Tinsley Learning Center launches operation "Tinsley Rocks."

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

For more information,

Julia Jordan, Public Relations Student

julia.jordan@selu.edu

Hammond, LA (Feb. 10, 2025) The Tinsley Learning Center initiated a social media campaign called, ‘Operation Tinsley Rocks’ as a method to attract more student clientele to the learning center. 

The social media campaign consisted of rocks painted as strawberries, and spread around by the student tutors outside the learning center Friday, Feb. 7. The rocks have messages asking students to return the rocks to the learning center. 

Pictures were collected and posted to Instagram on Feb. 10, encouraging Southeastern students to find a rock. The learning center is using their social media campaign to attract more clientele to sign up for tutoring, or use some of the resources they offer to ensure their success for current classes and future endeavors. 

 “The campaign was a fun way to expand our clientele base while informing students of the many academic resources the Tinsley Learning center offers,” said Tinsley Director Marie Bernard.

Tinsley’s tutoring services and workshops are currently advertised by their social media strategist, Alainna Appe. Appe, an undergraduate communication student, wanted to help advertise the learning center to expand the clientele base as well.

“I never really had a plan of how much I wanted to grow the clientele base from, or where we started. I’d love to make some progress though,” said Appe.

Students gradually returned some of the rocks throughout the week, and were offered to sign up for tutoring. Not all students were interested, but were offered access to the learning center’s academic resources. Not all the rocks have been returned, and tutoring sessions have not increased as of yet.

The Tinsley Learning Center is located on Southeastern Louisiana University’s campus. They offer tutoring services, workshops, and other academic resources to students. They have obtained level one and two certifications with the College Reading and Learning Certification. The learning center is currently working on establishing level three certification. CRLA is the International Tutor Training Program Certification, which adheres to national standards of hiring and training as set forth by the college reading and learning association. 

Tinsley, being CRLA certified, includes their hiring and training standards because they are customer service oriented. The resources are meant to aid students by giving them deeper insight into more productive ways to take notes, study, prioritize time management skills, and foster lifelong learning skills.

Bernard wants students to feel successful and empower them by providing them with productive strategies. Instilling these principles enable students to grow primarily in a positive environment, and maintain fostered skills throughout their lives. She says it’s most rewarding when they’re able to provide their student clientele with brain based strategies that are proofed and research based. When they’re able to pass the class, and acknowledge they found a tool for success it is considered a mission accomplished. 

 “Our tutors use a SMART goal. It helps them address the students’ target points of difficulty. They spend time building rapport with the students to ensure ease and confidence with the material. Some of their clients come in with hesitancy due to tutoring trauma, so we teach the tutors patience. We teach them communication skills that fosters empathy, kindness, and compassion,” said Bernard.

At the end of every tutoring session, students are required to sign out on the computer. When signing out, they are prompted with questions regarding their tutoring session. This is their chance to tell the tutors what they can work on, if applicable, and what was amazing. The students provide wonderful insight on how their sessions went, which encourages Tinsley Learning Center to continue striving for excellence, and the student to join another session.

“ We want to change the mindset that only good students get tutored. It’s not the last minute ditch effort to pass,” said Bernard.

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 The mission of the Tinsley Learning Center is to engage and empower students to cultivate the skills needed for academic success and lifelong learning. Their core values are we care, we respect, we strive for excellence. We see learning as a process not a product. If interested in scheduling a tutoring or workshop appointment with the Tinsley Center, schedule by going onto their website at http://www.southeastern.edu/acad_research/programs/cse/tutoring/index.html to sign up. You can also either email tinsleylearningcenter@southeastern.edu or contact Marie Bernard at marie.bernard@southeastern.edu.