Kuchler is a UHV senior from Inez who tutors other students in chemistry and Spanish in the UHV Student Success Center.

One of Zoen Kuchler’s favorite things to hear as a tutor is, “I didn’t get this concept until you explained it that way.”

Kuchler is a senior at the University of Houston-Victoria who tutors other students in chemistry and Spanish in the UHV Student Success Center. The Inez resident already graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Spanish in May, and he will finish his bachelor’s degree in biology this summer.

“Helping other students learn is an exciting experience,” Kuchler said. “I love knowing that I can help someone else understand something they’ve been struggling with.”

He first applied to work for the Student Success Center when his chemistry professor asked his students to consider signing up. Today, he works as a student advocate, which includes helping students connect with their academic advisors and find tutors for specific subjects.

Heather Crow

“Zoen is a very important part of the Center for Student Success; he not only can tutor chemistry, but he can also tutor Spanish,” said Heather Crow, the center’s operations coordinator. “Zoen always comes to work with a smile on his face and the willingness to help anyone who needs it. I am so excited for his upcoming graduation and to continue the next chapter in his life, but I’m really sad that we will be losing a great employee. I hope that Zoen will be able to carry what he learned from working in the center with him and be very successful.”

One of the things Kuchler discovered and appreciates about being a tutor is how helping someone else to understand basic concepts improves his own understanding of the subject as well, he said. For example, when he was tutoring students who were taking first- and second-level Spanish courses, that improved his own proficiency in the language and helped him excel in his upper-level courses.

“Tutoring is an excellent tool for students because it’s like working with a partner and learning how to study all at once,” Kuchler said. “Students already invest so much time, energy and finances into their studies, so it’s important that they have access to resources that can help them succeed and reach their goal of graduating.”

When Kuchler graduated from high school, the nation was in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, and he wasn’t able to have the typical college transition experience. At first, he chose to attend a university in San Marcos. However, after a year in that area, he decided he’d rather continue his studies at UHV, which is closer to home and his support network.

During the past few years, he has been involved in a variety of activities and organizations, including serving as president of the UHV Trap and Skeet Shooting Club and being a member of Earthwise Collective and the Tabletop RPG Club.

After he graduates this summer, Kuchler plans to move to New Mexico to pursue internship opportunities and careers that will allow him to do research in environmental studies. As he looks back at his time at UHV, Kuchler said he is grateful for the experience and the friends he’s made.

“I enjoyed my time at UHV, from the small classes and hands-on learning opportunities to the availability of online classes,” he said. “I’m looking forward to graduating and taking that next step in my career.”