College Academy of Tutoring Program (CAT)

Saint Mary's is proud to introduce the College Academy of Tutoring Program (CAT program)!! This new endeavor was made possible through funding from the Sisters of the Holy Cross.

Program Description: For the past 3 years the OCSE has run several tutoring programs, attempting to respond to the need for well-qualified tutors in the South Bend area. Most of these programs were in response to the neediest students in the area, including those living in or close to poverty. Some of these programs were overlapping and one program was funded through Americorps and federal funding. This federal funding ended in 2006. The present goal is to re-configure our tutoring services into an organized, streamlined entity that will be self-sustaining.

CAT Program Goals:
1. Streamline and increase our response to agencies’ expressed need for tutors so that we can meet the needs of more and more marginalized school children in South Bend.
2. Provide one location for the college for cataloging and keeping track of the need for tutors by local agencies and after-school programs.
3. Provide one position to oversee the tutoring needs in the community and assign students to the various sites as needed.
4. Provide our community partners with a reliable and steady volunteer base.
5. Connect with academic departments on campus and specialty student clubs (e.g. Chemistry Club) to further meet tutoring needs in the community.
6. Provide an opportunity for Saint Mary’s students to give back to their community through a structured program.
7. Provide those enrolled in the CAT Program with lectures, workshops, and resources for growing in their abilities as tutors and leaders.
8. Increase general awareness of Saint Mary’s as a caring member of the South Bend community.

Director of the program: Olivia Barzydlo ('05)

Hi there! I am extremely happy to be at Saint Mary's College for another year as director of the CAT Program. Last year, I was the program coordinator of the Indiana Reading Corps—a program funded by AmeriCorps. Although the name and goals of the tutoring program has changed a bit, the main focus remains the same; to reach out into the community and help children in need. In the past, tutoring has taken place right here on our very own campus, which has been very convenient for students, however; has not geographically granted access to those that may need our help the most. Tutoring through the CAT Program will allow SMC students to venture out into the community and tutor at designated community agencies. By moving our focus to tutoring off-campus, we are opening up doors to children that may not have been able to be reached by us otherwise. If you have any questions about the program or are interested in participating, please contact me…together we can change lives!