Students from the Learning Commons gathered in a group photo

Impact on Student Success 

Who We Are

Our Why

As the campus resource for learning support, we foster student success through academic and learning support models.

What We Do

We offer peer-led learning support for nearly 100 courses through Supplemental Instruction, Tutoring, and Writing Centers, along with resources, strategies, and workshops to build students’ academic success tool kit.

 

How

Using peer-led, student-centered, and collaborative models of learning support, we reduce the obstacles for students seeking academic assistance, and build confidence, community, resilience, and persistence in spaces where students can both seek and provide assistance. 

Consider Giving to the Learning Commons

Many students are seen inside a busy Learning Commons tutoring center

Impact by the Numbers

Over twelve thousand

 12,000+ learning support appointments each year

one hundred courses supported each year

100 courses supported each year

Over 100

Over 100 Faculty collaborators from every college

“A statistics tutor in the past helped me go from feeling like I did not deserve to be in college/not ready to having an A in the class. I felt less stressed and [more] confident.”

  Learning Commons Student

Academic Performance Indicators

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Retention Rates

  • Students who utilized services showed higher one-year retention, with rates 2.4 percentage points higher among full-time freshmen and 7.2 points higher among first-time transfers compared with their non-participating peers.2

Course Success Rates

  • 15 percentage point higher course passing rates for those participating in Supplemental Instruction support in STEM courses compared to those who did not use services.
  • Students who utilized Learning Commons tutoring services had 12.5 percentage points higher passing rates than non-users (among five courses with highest tutoring participation not including math).3
  • Among the ten courses with the highest tutoring participation, Hispanic/Latino students who utilized Learning Commons tutoring services had 8.8 percentage points higher course passing rates than non-users.3
  • Students from historically underrepresented groups who use the Learning Commons have a 8.2 percentage points higher pass rate in courses compared to those who do not use services.3
  • In foundational math courses, students who utilized Learning Commons tutoring services had 2.1 percentage points higher course passing rates than non-users.3

Holistic Success Indicators

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Academic Skills

  • After attending a session, more than 95% said they gained academic strategies that will help them succeed in their courses.5

Confidence Building

  • After attending a session, more than 96% said they gained confidence that will help them succeed in their courses.5

Sense of Community and Support

  • More than 92% of student participants experienced a strong sense of welcome, care, and community from peer educator staff.6
 

“I constantly encourage faculty to work with the Learning Commons. I’ve only had fabulous experiences with the supplemental instruction leaders and tutors there.”

  Faculty Member

Supplemental Instruction logo

SI Success Indicators

Recognizing the academic performance and holistic success indicators of the supplemental instruction program.

The International Center for Supplemental Instruction at the University of Missouri-Kansas City Accredited Program 

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Funding Needs

We are making a direct impact on the success of California State University, Stanislaus students. As a funding partner, we invite you to invest in the Learning Commons so all students have the academic support to thrive.

Direct Giving Page

  • Sustainable resources to fund high impact academic support services for a campus where a majority of students are first-generation and from many backgrounds.
  • Learning support for STEM students.
  • Intensive math learning support services.
  • Continued funding for internationally accredited supplemental instruction support in the university’s most challenging courses.
  • Intensive writing support services and writing activities in first year experience courses.
  • Academic coaching services for Stockton and Turlock campuses.
  • Artificial intelligence and technology tool development to enhance peer-led and collaborative models of services.
  • Professional development for student and professional staff that is designed to enhance students’ learning experiences.
  • Access and awareness of services and employment opportunities for first-generation students.

Example Investment Opportunities

  • $5,000 to support hiring of one peer educator to provide tutoring services, learning center management platforms, online workshop services, or outreach events for participants and recruitment efforts for tutors.
  • $10,000 to support professional development opportunities for student or professional staff.
  • $15,000 to support one graduate assistant or evening STEM tutoring services.
  • $50,000 to support intensive math learning support services, academic coaching services, or front desk student staff operations.
  • $150,000 to support student staffing and services for the tutoring, supplemental instruction, or writing center.

Sources

  1. StanTutor Learning Center Management Platform Data Report
  2. Learning Commons Data Dashboard, Fall 2023 Student Cohort
  3. Top Courses, Learning Commons & Office of Institutional Effectiveness & Analysis Data Collaboration Project
    • In Biology 1050, Chemistry 1100, Chemistry 2100, History 2600, and Zoology 2250, students who utilized Learning Commons tutoring services had higher course passing rates than non-users, with rates 13.6 percentage points higher in 2023–24 and 11.5 percentage points higher in 2024–25.
    • In Math 1014, 1070, 1071, 1072, and 1080, students who utilized Learning Commons tutoring services had higher course passing rates than non-users, with rates 0.5 percentage points higher in 2023–24 and 3.7 percentage points higher in 2024–25.
    • In Biology 1050, Chemistry 1100, Chemistry 2100, History 2600, Zoology 250, Math 1040, Math 1070, Math 1071, Math 1072, and Math 1080.
    • Hispanic/Latino students who utilized Learning Commons tutoring services had higher course passing rates than non-users, with rates 8.8 percentage points higher in 2023–24 and 8 percentage points higher in 2024–25.
  4. Supplemental Instruction International Accreditation Data Report, Learning Commons
  5. Session Evaluations & Learning Commons Campus Survey, Learning Commons
  6. Semester Evaluations, Learning Commons

Updated: April 21, 2026