With the end of each academic semester comes final exams, presentations and projects, and before the stress arrives, students at New Mexico State University have a nationally recognized resource to help them succeed academically. NMSU's Campus Tutoring Services provides a free, full service-tutoring program in more than 200 undergraduate subjects. 

Campus Tutoring Services offers College Reading and Learning Association, or CRLA, certified peer tutors, who serve the entire NMSU campus, and was awarded level 1, level 2 and level 3 program certification from the CRLA. Level 1 and level 2 are recertifications, while level 3 is a new accomplishment. The certifications are official for four years through November 2029. 

Campus Tutoring Services provides individual and small group tutoring in-person at Corbett Center Student Union, Room 206, or online via Zoom. 

"Having a robust tutoring center on campus is extremely important for student success, and its impact goes far beyond helping students pass a class," said Marci Salinas-Milam, Academic Success Center program director. "A strong tutoring program that is nationally accredited and certified creates an academic safety net and enhances the overall student experience that aligns with NMSU's goals for student success. Our center is at the forefront of improving academic performance and retention, creating a sense of belonging and community and developing future leaders through peer tutoring student-employment opportunities." 

Peer tutor Mia Villegas, who now holds a level 3 certification, began working at Campus Tutoring Services as a freshman in 2022 as a front desk assistant. 

"It's very prestigious to me," she said. "I'm very proud to be able to carry that title and certification. It's been awesome to be able to mentor new tutors, assist in their training and share my experiences with students about our services throughout the years."

Peer tutors must have taken and passed all the courses they tutor and have earned enough credits to be a junior or senior. 

"Programs that reach level 3 are considered leaders in the field," Salinas-Milam said. "It demonstrates that the institution invests in creating not just effective tutors, but student leaders capable of mentoring others and contributing to program development. Programs must document curriculum, tutor training hours, assessment practices, learning outcomes and meets rigorous national training and professional standards. CRLA reviews this carefully, and not every program is approved." 

On average, Campus Tutoring Services hosts 4,500 sessions per semester. The course pass rates for students who sought tutoring assistance at Campus Tutoring Services have been 95.3% in fall 2024, 93.9% in summer 2024 and 92.4% in spring 2025. 

As a freshman, Villegas first attended tutoring sessions for courses such as nutrition and chemistry. As a senior majoring in communication disorders, Spanish and linguistics, she tutors students in English, Spanish, communications, college algebra and statistics courses and assists with writing consultations. 

"I was gifted in high school, so I really didn't know how to study, because I never had to study, and coming to college, I absolutely had to learn how to study," Villegas said. "So, giving those tools to students to help them succeed is amazing. It's very much a relationship, and they can also give me their tips and tricks. It's awesome." 

Salinas-Milam is proud of the certification accomplishments and the level 3 milestone, which was the result of a five-year effort. To earn this new certification, the Campus Tutoring Services team focused on strengthening the structure, training, documentation and assessment of the tutoring program to meet the advanced national standards set by CRLA. 

"Reaching the highest CRLA certification was incredibly meaningful," she said. "It felt like a moment of pride, not just for administration, but for the tutors who have grown within the program and contributed to its success over the years. It validated years of work, commitment and continuous improvement, and it demonstrated that NMSU is providing a professional, research-based tutoring experience aligned with national best practices." 

To learn more about Campus Tutoring Services, visit https://campustutoring.nmsu.edu.  

The full article can be seen at https://newsroom.nmsu.edu/news/nmsu-s-campus-tutoring-services-awarded-three-national-certifications/s/4be4eec1-1f48-4735-b9de-377579e3f612