Resources for Learning Center Professionals
Tools, research, and professional connections for tutoring coordinators, learning center directors, supplemental instruction program managers, and academic support staff across Michigan.
ICLCA Professional Resources
The Michigan College Learning Center Association (MICLCA) is the Michigan affiliate of the International College Learning Center Association (ICLCA). MICLCA members are encouraged to join ICLCA for access to the full range of national professional resources. All links open iclca.world.
Certifications ↗
Learning Center of Excellence (LCE) program certification and individual Leadership Certification for practitioners.
The Learning Assistance Review (TLAR) ↗
ICLCA's peer-reviewed journal on learning assistance and academic support.
Best Practice Guides ↗
Evidence-based guides for learning center program design and practice.
Glossary for Student Success ↗
Shared terminology for the learning center profession.
Job Board ↗
National learning center job listings across the ICLCA network.
Consulting ↗
Professional consulting services for learning center program development and evaluation.
Annual Conference ↗
The annual gathering of learning center professionals from across the country and internationally.
Summer Institute ↗
Intensive professional development for learning center practitioners.
Webinars ↗
Online professional development from ICLCA throughout the year.
Supporting Diverse Student Populations
Learning centers serve all students. These resources help practitioners design programs that reach students who are most likely to need academic support and least likely to seek it.
Transfer Students
Michigan has significant transfer traffic between community colleges and four-year universities. Transfer students often need support adjusting to new academic expectations, and learning centers are frequently the first place they encounter after transferring.
MICLCA is developing Michigan-specific guidance on supporting transfer students in learning centers. Resources coming in 2027.
First-Generation College Students
First-generation students underutilize academic support at disproportionate rates, often due to unfamiliarity with institutional resources or concerns about help-seeking. Learning centers can play a critical role in closing this gap through intentional outreach and inclusive program design.
MICLCA is developing resources on first-generation student engagement strategies for learning centers.
Neurodivergent Students and Students with Disabilities
Learning centers support all students, including those with learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, and other neurodivergent profiles. While formal accommodations are managed through disability services offices, learning centers can create inclusive environments through universal design principles and tutor training. These resources focus on inclusive practice within the learning center.
- Association on Higher Education and Disability (AHEAD) ↗
- Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Guidelines ↗
Resources on inclusive tutoring practices and collaboration between learning centers and disability services offices are in development.
Multilingual Students and English Language Learners
Many Michigan institutions serve significant populations of multilingual students, including international students and domestic students whose first language is not English. Learning centers can support these students through writing support, conversation partnerships, and academic language development, often in coordination with English language programs.
Resources for supporting multilingual learners in the learning center context are in development.
Program Assessment and Evidence
Measuring learning center impact is essential for program improvement, institutional advocacy, and funding justification. These resources help practitioners move beyond satisfaction surveys toward evidence-based assessment of student outcomes.
- The Learning Assistance Review (TLAR) ↗ Published research on learning center effectiveness and student outcomes.
- Council for the Advancement of Standards in Higher Education (CAS) Standards for Learning Assistance Programs ↗ Professional standards for learning assistance programs. ICLCA is a CAS member organization.
MICLCA is developing practical assessment resources for Michigan learning centers, including frameworks for tracking usage, connecting participation to academic outcomes, and conducting equity analysis. Resources coming in 2027.
Tutor and SI Leader Training
Training peer tutors and Supplemental Instruction (SI) leaders is one of the most important and time-intensive parts of learning center work. These resources support practitioners in building and certifying their training programs.
- ICLCA Certification Programs ↗ ICLCA offers Learning Center of Excellence (LCE) program certification and individual Leadership Certification.
- College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) International Tutor Training Program Certification ↗ The CRLA International Tutor Training Program Certification (ITTPC) is the widely recognized standard for peer tutor training programs.
MICLCA plans to develop a shared repository of training resources, including sample curricula, observation rubrics, and activity guides contributed by Michigan learning center practitioners.
Professional Development Archive
Recordings, slides, and materials from MICLCA webinars, workshops, and conference presentations. This archive will grow as MICLCA hosts its first events.