Our mission is to enhance learning and promote skills development by Portland Community College students.  We  provide effective tutoring which improves academic success skills and encourages mastery of subject material.  Our  centers use individual and group tutoring as well as appropriate technologies to foster course material mastery while encouraging  creativity and independent thinking.

Our primary task is to assist students with academic success.  A combination of peer tutors, professional tutors, and appropriate technology can provide unparalleled service to the whole range of students in our academic community.   Peer tutors provide student perspectives on learning and strategies for academic success, while professional tutors provide an even wider range of experience and skills for our students.  The development of a supportive tutorial relationship helps students complete their academic goals.  Tutors can facilitate learning by providing guidance, coaching, mentoring, and creative feedback.  Each tutorial session is individualized and personal in order to meet specific student needs.  Tutors explain the steps necessary to understand the course information and concepts.  This facilitates student insight about underlying ideas and learning concepts which promote independent thinking and learning.  Tutors build student confidence while  integrating effective learning and study strategies.

Standards of conduct based on shared values and principles are essential for effective tutoring.  A code of ethics helps  prevent interpersonal problems, allows tutors to anticipate potential stumbling blocks, and assists tutors in reflexively developing appropriate responses to specific tutorial situations.

Tutors maintain a high level of integrity and interpersonal character in order to earn trust and develop essential tutorial relationships.  This proactive tutor sensitivity includes:

                          Honesty, openness and empathetic attitude 

Tutors are employees of the college and represent the tutoring centers as well as the PCC community.  They are expected to observe high academic and personal standards and to act as role models for Portland Community College students.