Moorpark College’s writing center provides students with tutoring of all academic levels. Whether it is help with an essay or outline, Moorpark College students are able to provide much more to students.
Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Writing Center has transitioned to online tutoring via Zoom. Despite this new online format, the Moorpark College Writing Center has continued to prosper with many students filling up appointments quickly.
English professors and writing center coordinators Tracy Tennenhouse and Elizabeth Gillis-Smith explained that students tend to think that help from the Writing Center is solely for an English essay. However, students can also get help for speech outlines, study skills, time management and organization.
“One of the things that we like to train our tutors with is the concept of the growth mindset, this is the idea that even if you think that you are bad at this subject, you can get better. A lot of students say that ‘I am bad at math’ and ‘I am bad at English’ and our tutors are trained to work on that mindset,” Tennenhouse said.
In addition, workshops available include the scholarship personal statement workshop, letters for change and letter writing to first responders.
Moorpark College Tutor Emily Consaga earned her bachelor’s degree at California State University Northridge in Film and Television Arts with an emphasis in screen writing. Consaga has been a tutor since 2017 and she enjoys connecting with students the most.
“We have this kind of saying where we say every student needs their guy on campus, which can either be an academic advisor or counselor or a tutor and it’s basically the person they go to if they have any questions. I may not have the answer to the question, but I can direct them where to go to,” Consaga stated.
The hope is that with someone to rely on that is on campus, students will be more likely to succeed academically and enjoy their journey through education.
Jasmin Betka, Moorpark College tutor, earned her bachelor’s in Health Science and Technical Writing at California State University Channel Islands.
“I love that since I am from the health side and I tutor writing, I get to connect with students from different backgrounds. You don’t have to be an English major to be a tutor and I think you can kind of use that interdisciplinary knowledge to expand how you tutor,” Betka explained.
The Moorpark College Writing Center seeks to not only provide for college students but for the community as well.
“One new thing that we’re going to try is offering tutoring to local high school students – they may not have as much help because they’re home – they’re doing distance learning as well and not all high schools have a writing center. It’s a brand new program. I have no idea if it’s going to work but we’re going to try it because we’re trying to respond to the needs of our community and that includes our local high school partners,” Tennenhouse said.
Students can schedule to meet with a tutor through Zoom or sign up for future workshops on the Moorpark College Writing Center website.
