Academic Success Programs

Our programs are designed to support LSUS students at every stage of their academic journey. Through individualized assistance, peer-led support, and classroom-based services, Academic Success offers resources that help students strengthen essential skills, overcome challenges, and build confidence for long-term success in college.

Programs include:

• Academic Coaching
• Writing Consultation
• Peer Tutoring
• Supplemental Instruction (SI)
• Learning Assistance
• SOAR - Academic Recovery

All Academic Success programs are free to enrolled LSUS students.

Academic Coaching

Academic Coaching offers one-on-one appointments with trained graduate student Academic Coaches who help students strengthen the skills needed for success in college. Through an evidence-based peer consultation model, students receive individualized support in areas such as time management, overcoming procrastination, test preparation, metacognitive learning strategies, effective note-taking, and academic reading. The goal of Academic Coaching is to empower students with practical strategies that build confidence, improve performance, and foster greater academic independence.

Academic Coaching is available to all enrolled LSUS students through both in-person and online appointments, with walk-in appointments offered when coach availability permits.

Writing Consultation

Writing Consultations offer one-on-one support from trained graduate and undergraduate student Writing Consultants by appointment. Rather than simply editing a paper, Writing Consultants focus on helping students develop the skills needed to become confident, independent writers. Support is available for academic writing in any course or discipline, as well as for personal and professional writing projects.

Students are also welcome to schedule a consultation even if they are not currently working on a specific assignment and would simply like to strengthen their overall writing skills. Consultations can focus on any stage of the writing process, including understanding assignment requirements, brainstorming ideas, organizing and outlining, strengthening argumentation, improving clarity and language, and revising a final draft for style and effectiveness.

Writing Consultations are available to all enrolled LSUS students through both in-person and online appointments. Walk-in appointments are currently not offered.

Peer Tutoring

Peer Tutoring offers LSUS students free access to academic support through Knack, a CLRA-certified tutoring platform. Through Knack, students can connect with Peer Tutors who have already excelled in the courses they support and can share the strategies and knowledge that contribute to success. The platform makes it easy for students to find tutoring that fits their needs, whether they prefer one-on-one or group sessions, in person or online, on campus or in another convenient location. Peer Tutoring is currently available for all undergraduate courses and a number of selected graduate-level courses.

In addition to LSUS Peer Tutors, Knack also provides access to on-demand and asynchronous tutoring. If a Peer Tutor is not currently available for a specific course, or if a student needs quick help with a particular question, Knack offers 24/7 support through a network of experienced professional tutors.

Students who are interested in becoming a Peer Tutor can also apply through Knack. To become a tutor, students create a profile, add their availability and basic information, upload a transcript for course approval, select the course they would like to tutor, and complete identity and payment verification. Ater the application is reviewed and approved based on the institution’s requirements, students may begin tutoring through the platform.

Knack is available to all enrolled LSUS students. Check out this Knack Help Section article on Onboarding to see how to get started on Knack!

Supplemental Instruction

Supplemental Instruction (SI) is a non-remedial academic support program designed to support student success in historically challenging courses. Rather than focusing on high-risk students, SI focuses on high-risk courses and helps students strengthen both their understanding of course content and the academic skills needed to succeed. Through an active, collaborative approach learning, SI helps students connect what to learn with how to learn in a supportive peer environment.

SI includes regularly scheduled, voluntary sessions held outside of class and led by trained peer SI Leaders. During these sessions, students work together in small groups through collaborative activities that encourage engagement, participation, and deeper understanding of the course material. In addition to leading SI sessions, SI Leaders also hold office hours to provide extra support for students who would benefit from one-on-one assistance.

View the list of courses with SI support this semester, along with the times and locations of SI sessions and SI Leaders’ office hours in our current SI schedule document.

Learning Assistance

Learning Assistance is an academic support program designed to promote student success within the classroom. In this model, trained student Learning Assistants are embedded in selected courses and work alongside instructors to help students strengthen the academic skills that contribute to success in the course. The program is intended to reinforce instruction, encourage productive academic habits, and help students become more confident, independent learners. By being present in the classroom, Learning Assistants provide timely, personalized, and consistent support that helps students better understand course expectations, develop effective learning strategies, and engage more fully in their coursework. In addition to offering support during class, Learning Assistants are also available to provide individualized guidance as needed by both students and instructors.

As the program continues to grow, Learning Assistance is currently focused on supporting first-year English composition courses (ENGL 105 & 115).

SOAR – Academic Recovery

SOAR (Student on Academic Recovery) is LSUS's academic recovery program, designed to support students who are on academic probation, at risk of academic probation, or experiencing significant academic challenges. Operating on an invitation-only basis, SOAR identifies and invites students who show early signs of academic difficulty to participate in structured workshops and individualized support from Academic Coaches. Through these interventions and follow-up support at key points in the semester, SOAR helps students develop the skills, habits, and mindsets needed for both immediate improvement and long-term academic success. In addition, students participating in SOAR are connected with other campus resources, as appropriate, to provide more comprehensive support for their continued growth and success.