LAKEPORT, Calif. – The Lake County Friends of Mendocino College (LCFMC), an affiliate of the Mendocino College Foundation Inc., has donated $2,000 to support tutoring services at the new Mendocino College Lake Center.

Tutoring services have been provided to Mendocino College students in Lake County in the past, but the funding to support such programs has not always been guaranteed.

This recent contribution will ensure that the Lake Center will be able to provide tutoring services to college students.

“This money will allow us to manage tutoring services and pay tutors from our own budget,” explained Arlene Peters, center operations supervisor at the Lake Center.

With these funds, the Lake Center staff plan to expand existing services to provide more tutoring opportunities to more students.

It has often been difficult to find tutors at the Lake Center, but staff hopes that this support will bring new momentum to the existing tutoring program and create awareness of this valuable service provided to students at no cost.

Tutoring services allow students to participate in one-on-one interaction, which generates student success. Both tutors and students benefit from this.

“Sometimes students come in for tutoring thinking that there is no way to understand their assignment. After a tutoring session, they realize that they can do it. There is nothing like the feeling of being able to help someone do something successfully. It makes me want to always do this work,” stated Janita Hansen, Lake Center tutor.

Mendocino College provides tutoring to a wide range of students who need academic support in foundation skills through transfer level courses.

Tutoring services are provided across disciplines, to students who need extra support with their coursework.

One-on-one or group tutoring is available to all students on a drop-in basis and by appointment.

All tutors must be recommended by a previous instructor and must receive a grade of B or higher in the subject(s) they are tutoring. All tutors must also complete a tutor training course, EDU 110.

Being a tutor is great training for Mendocino College students.

“As tutors work with students, I see them grow. They reinforce their learning and gain confidence as leaders in the college community,” said Janet Daugherty, learning center assistant, Ukiah campus.

The LCFMC was created in 2011 as an affiliate of the Mendocino College Foundation to establish partnerships with existing organizations in Lake County whose mission and activities are consistent with its goals and purposes.

The members of its governing council are community leaders in education, business and civic endeavors in Lake County.

Fundraising activities of the Friends include the Professional Pianists Concert held annually in the spring at the Soper Reese Theatre in Lakeport. Donations match generous community support for student scholarships, the Adopt a Fifth Grader program, Academic Decathlon and other activities benefitting student success at every level.

For more information about the LCFMC, contact Wilda Shock, chairperson, 707-263-7575.

For more information about tutoring services at Mendocino College, contact Sarah Walsh at 707-468-3122.