Director: Dr. Dana Lawrence

Although I officially completed my college education in 2009, earning my Ph.D. in English Literature from Texas A&M University, I don’t think I’ll ever stop being a student.  My scholarly interests lie in the literature and history of the 16th and 17th centuries and composition pedagogy, while my personal interests run the gamut from languages to celebrity gossip and everything in between.  I’ve loved to read for as long as I can remember—I used to get in trouble for reading next to my nightlight after bedtime or for hiding a book in my lap during class—and my current favorites are historical novels set in Tudor England.  I’ve recently begun reading the Harry Potter series with my son, and I am securely on the HP bandwagon.  As an academic, part of my job includes writing.  I wouldn’t go so far as to say that I love to write, though I do love the process of developing an idea and seeing it come to fruition.  Having struggled a bit when I made the transition to college and again while trying to balance pursuing my graduate degree, teaching, and supporting my family, I understand many of the difficulties that the students coming to the Academic Success Center and Writing Center are facing.  It is my mission as an Instructor and as the Director of the ASC and Writing Center to create a place where all USCL students can find the academic support that they need as they pursue their educational goals.  I welcome any suggestions that our students and faculty have about how the ASC and Writing Center can better serve the needs of the USCL community.

ASC Coordinator:
Elaine Connor

I was drawn to the Academic Success Center because I have always been passionate about helping a student tap into his/her true potential as a student.  I love working with students of all ages, and I am very excited to be part of the Academic Success Center team this year.  Before joining the ASC, I enjoyed many exciting roles along my career path in education.  I taught English for over 30 years, I was a Curriculum Coach for several years, and I was an International Baccalaureate (IB) Programme Coordinator.  I hold a Bachelor’s degree and a Master's in Education from Winthrop University.  When not at school, I enjoy traveling, reading, cooking, spending time with my lovely daughters, and getting together with friends.

Tutor: Meagan Denyer
Subject Area: Writing

Greetings! I graduated from high school after being homeschooled for twelve years, by my patient mother. I am currently working towards my BA and am majoring in Psychology at USCL, with plans to transfer to USC in the future. While I have always enjoyed reading, averaging one hundred books a year, I never realized my natural ability for reading comprehension and writing, until my freshman year of college. I enjoy traveling nationally and internationally, and am willing to try any kind of food introduced to me and can get along with anybody. I currently reside in Lancaster with my family and our three dogs. My true passion is to help people in any way I can, whether it be by lending an ear when they need to talk or by lending some constructive criticism when they need to get a satisfactory grade on a paper.

Tutor: Pam Fields
Subject Area: Writing

There is nothing more rewarding than seeing students succeed academically.  College has changed greatly since I attended USC-Lancaster and the main campus of USC. The professors demand more writing and reading in their course work regardless of the subject area. The Academic Success Center at USC-L is such a great asset for the students, and I work as a writing, reading tutor, researching material, and even help with many of our non-traditional students with navigating Blackboard, using Microsoft Word, Power Point, etc. Presently, I work as a high school Curriculum Coordinator and Reading Specialist. My hobbies include brisk walking, bicycling, and gardening when I have time. I received my BA degree from USC along with M.Ed. in School Leadership and Administration, and Ed.S degree in Language and Literacy. I also received the MAT in Elementary Education from Queen's University in Charlotte, NC. Presently, I am working towards the Ed.D. in School Leadership at Wingate University in Matthews, NC.

Tutor: Ann Garner
Subject Area: Math

I am originally from Seneca, SC, but spent most of my youth in North Carolina.  I earned my BS degree in Mathematics from East Carolina University in Greenville, NC, then married my high school sweetheart and moved to Hagerstown, MD.  After my husband’s tour of duty in the army ended, we moved here to Lancaster where I taught mathematics at Buford High School until I retired in 2010.  During my time at BHS, I earned my MAT degree in Mathematics from Winthrop University.  Once retired, my friend and former colleague, Betty Stroud, encouraged me to come to USCL and apply for a tutoring position in the ASC.  I’m so glad I did!!  It is so rewarding to work with the students I’ve met here, as well as, to see and talk with some of my former students from Buford High School.  With my 34 years of experience in teaching high school mathematics, I think I am able to communicate well with the students I encounter in the ASC. 

Tutor: Caroline Howey
Subject Area: Spanish

Hola! Me llamo Caroline Howey (Hello, my name is Caroline Howey). In case you could not tell by my greeting, I am a Spanish tutor at the Academic Success Center. I have been working at the Academic Success Center since my freshman year. I am from Lancaster, South Carolina. I graduated from Andrew Jackson High School in 2010. I am a junior at USCL and in the B.O.L program, which stands for Bachelors of Arts in Organizational Leadership. B.O.L is like being a business major. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, watching movies, reading, and spending time with my family.

Tutor: Joshua Hunter
Subject Area: (Biology and Writing

I graduated high school in 2011 after being homeschooled for several years. I am now a biology/pre-med major at USCL, and I am finishing my AS degree in biology before transferring to the USC main campus to work on my Bachelor of Science degree in biology and my remaining pre-medical classes. Because I was homeschooled, I was intimidated by the feeling that I may not do as well in college as I hoped, but my first year at USCL was an incredible and rewarding experience, and I developed significantly as a writer and as a student. I look forward to helping students discover the reward of effectively expressing their own thoughts, opinions, and ideas on paper as well as helping them gain a better understanding of biology at the ASC this year.  When I’m not in school or studying, I enjoy hunting, archery, karate, weightlifting, recreational running, and spending time with my family and friends. I also play bass guitar, perform dramas, and teach occasionally with the youth ministry at my church.

Tutor: Phyllis Jarvis
Subject Area: French and Writing

Having taught a French course at USC-L in spring 2012, I was pleased to be given a chance to tutor in the ASC.  I missed teaching French and English students at Andrew Jackson High and am enjoying seeing and helping former students and meeting new ones.  I have a BA degree from Western Carolina and a Master’s from Francis Marion plus 30 more hours from Winthrop.  When I am not in the ASC, you will typically find me on the golf course, in my yard, reading a book, or out with friends.  My husband and I like to travel and go as often as time and dollars permit!  Baton Rouge is a regular visit for us since my daughter, her husband, and three great grandchildren live there.  Drop by the ASC for me to help you with either French or writing.

Tutor: Vicky Moyer
Subject Area: Writing

Originally from Indiana, I moved with my Air Force family many times, spending my school years in more than twelve different schools, from Bermuda to Hawaii.  Although I chose zoology as my college major, out of appreciation and wonder for God’s creation, my real interest and hobby is painting and doing other artwork. Marriage and raising two children became the center for creative activities for the middle section of my life, and about 17 years in the teaching profession (from preschool to tenth grade biology) kept me busy. But a few years ago a crazy newspaper article about a homeless chicken sparked my interest in writing while I was home taking care of my mother, and I enrolled in a course on writing children’s literature.  That interest, along with teaching experience and friendship with the former ASC director, led me to the tutoring program at USCL. It has been a privilege and pleasure to work with the staff and students here!

Tutor: Betty Stroud
Subject Area: Math

My home is in Chester County.  I graduated from Winthrop College with a BA degree in Mathematics and later earned my MAT degree in Math Education--also from Winthrop.  I taught mathematics at Buford High School for 26 years and then taught math for 4 years at Chester High School, where my principal was a former student of mine from Buford. I came to USCL to tutor math in the fall of 2002 and have been here ever since.  I really enjoy working with the students who come to the ASC.  Some are older and have forgotten Algebra, and others are right out of high school and were hoping they would never see another math problem.  It is a pleasure for me to be able to help them better understand math concepts and improve their math skills.

Tutor: Blake Timmons
Subject Area: Chemistry and Math

After graduating from Lancaster High in 2007, I discovered my passion for science. I am currently a Freshman Physics major at USCL and plan on transferring to the Columbia campus for the fall semester. I love all of the natural sciences (particularly Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) and will be tutoring Chemistry 105, 111, and 112 in the Academic Success Center.  I have recently developed a deep respect for the Mathematics that accompanies them. I will also be tutoring Math 105, 111, 111i, 122, and 141 (non-maple).  I hope to use my tutoring position at the Academic Success Center to share the love of these subjects and aid others in tackling the hardships associated with them. It is all too often that students become lost in a sea of meaningless equations, so my primary goal as a tutor is to help students conceptualize the problems so that the equations become a natural byproduct rather than just another fact to be memorized.

Tutor: June Williams
Subject Area: Math

I am originally from Hawaii.  I have a BA degree in mathematics from Chaminade University.  I lived in Florida for 22 years before moving to Lancaster.  I have an MS degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of South Florida.  I tutored math and taught elementary algebra for two semesters at Hillsborough Community College in Florida.  I enjoyed working with the students and teachers, which led me to inquire about tutoring opportunities at USCL.  I enjoy working with the students, fellow tutors, and staff members in the ASC.