The Honolulu Star–Advertiser has named the Tutoring Center at Leeward Community College (Leeward CC) “Hawaiʻi’s Best 2024.” Under the direction of Tasha Williams Moses, a PhD student in the College of Education (COE) Department of Learning Design and Technology (LTEC), the center received this distinction for the first time. Moses and her program were recognized at an awards ceremony on September 3, 2024 at the International Market Place.
“This award underscores the impact our tutoring services have had on the community as evidenced by our course success rates,” Moses said. “Students who were tutored achieved an average 82% as compared to their non-tutored classmates who received 74%. The recognition highlights the dedication, collective efforts, and effectiveness of our programs, emphasizing the vital role of our Academic Services Division and the Library Learning Commons in fostering student success.”
Moses serves as the Tutoring Services Coordinator at Leeward CC where she is an assistant professor. Comprised of a Learning Resource Center and Writing Center, the tutoring center provides comprehensive support with a focus on academic enrichment, peer mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration through content-specific and writing tutoring. Its core functions revolve around online and in-person academic support, one-on-one and group tutoring sessions, peer mentorship, writing and content support, and academic skills workshops.
“We strive to create an inclusive and supportive environment that reflects the values of our local community, promoting collaboration, growth, and success for all students,” Moses said. “We are committed to proactive outreach, validating students’ strengths, and providing holistic support to address their academic needs.”
At the COE, Moses’s research focuses on establishing a sense of community in online learning to support historically underserved students, particularly Native Hawaiian and Micronesian students. She says she became interested in LTEC because of its focus on designing innovative online learning experiences that enhance access and foster equity.
“The program’s caring faculty, rigorous coursework, and cohort-based model create a strong sense of community, which supports our collective goals,” Moses said. “LTEC’s emphasis on learning theory and instructional design provides the ideal foundation for creating inclusive and empowering online learning environments.”
The Fall 2024 Semester marks the 10-year anniversary of Moses working at the University of Hawaiʻi. She has a combined 18 years of experience in teaching, tutoring, advising, and with TRIO outreach programs.
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