University of Houston-Victoria

Academic Center

Staff

Manager of the Academic Center - Summer Leibensperger

Summer Leibensperger is currently the Manager of the Academic Center, but she began working in the Academic Center as a writing tutor in fall 1999. Later, she was hired as the Academic Center Coordinator (in 2001) and then promoted to Manager in 2010. Leibensperger earned a bachelor's degree in Humanities-English from UHV in 2000 and a master's degree in technical communication from Texas Tech University in 2004. She also teaches as an adjunct (ENG 3430) at UHV.

Testing Coordinator of the Academic Center- Ernest Amador

While earning his undergraduate degree in Humanities-English, Ernest Amador worked as a peer writing tutor in the Academic Center. After graduating in spring 2007, he began working in the university's marketing department as a staff writer, and, eventually, reported on the university's progress as the communication coordinator. Amador found his way to back to the Academic Center as the Testing Coordinator in January 2008, and he has been developing, overseeing, and assessing the university's testing program since. Amador graduated with an M.A.I.S. from UHV in spring 2011.

Tutoring Coordinator- Paige Ruschhaupt

Paige Ruschhaupt is the Tutoring Coordinator at the Academic Center. She has a Bachelor of Science in Psychology from the University of Houston-Victoria and is working towards a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology. Ruschhaupt was a writing tutor at the Academic Center from January 2008 to August 2009 and became a lead tutor from then until May 2011. She was also the Student Senate President during the 2010-2011 school year when UHV transitioned to a four-year university.

Assistant to Academic and Career Services- Christy Esse

Christy Esse has been with the university for eight years. In her capacity as Academic and Career Services Assistant, Esse lends support to the Academic Center (both tutoring and testing) and Career Services, and she also provides support to the Director of Retention and Student Success. Esse has an associate degree from Rogers State University in northeastern Oklahoma and a BAAS degree in communication from UHV.

Peer Tutors and Supplemental Instruction Leaders

Peer tutors encourage and support students by providing one-to-one or group tutoring about content knowledge (e.g., math, biology, etc.), writing skills, or academic success strategies (e.g., study skills). Practically, what tutors do is to help students develop strategies for learning course content, to encourage students to evaluate their writing skills analytically, and/or to provide tips for note-taking, reading comprehension, or test taking.

Qualifications:

Enrollment at UHV and maintenance of a high GPA (minimum: 3.0/4.0).
Successful completion of courses in the subject(s) the tutor is tutoring with an A or B. Writing tutors should have completed ENG 3430.
Recommendations by UHV faculty (or high school teachers if the course was for college credit) in subject-areas being tutored. Two total recommendations are required.
Possession of superior communication and interpersonal skills and basic or greater computer skills.
Enthusiasm for helping others along with an appreciation of different points of view or ways of thinking.
Ability to work independently within a larger context of team cooperation along with the ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks.

Supplemental instruction leaders provide support to one section of an academic course (e.g., one section of college algebra) by providing review sessions for course work and information about academic success strategies (e.g., study skills). Supplemental instruction leaders also work closely with faculty members by sitting in every class, and leaders prepare carefully for each review session, developing appropriate materials to support the review session. Time spent working with students, in preparing, and in attending class is paid (usually between 9 and 12 hours a week for each section of a class).

Qualifications:

Enrollment at UHV and maintenance of a high GPA (minimum: 3.0/4.0).
Successful completion of courses or a similar course the supplemental instruction leader is providing support for with an A or B.
Recommendations by UHV faculty. At least two recommendations are needed.
Possession of superior communication and interpersonal skills and basic or greater computer skills.
Enthusiasm for helping others along with an appreciation of different points of view or ways of thinking.
Ability to work independently within a larger context of team cooperation along with the ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple tasks.

Tutors and Supplemental Instruction Leaders receive continued training throughout the semester. The Academic Center Manager and the Tutoring Coordinator review their work. For information about applying to become a Peer Tutor or SI Leader, visit our employment page.