Regular ARC Hours
Sunday: 8:30p – 11:00p
Monday: 7:30a – 11:00p
Tuesday: 7:30a – 11:00p
Wednesday: 7:30a – 5:00p | 8:30p – 11:00p
Thursday: 7:30a – 9:00p
Friday: 12:00p – 5:00p
Saturday: CLOSED
**Hours may be reduced during on-campus breaks.
The Academic Resource Center (ARC) offers students a wide variety of academic support services designed to help them succeed in the classroom. In general, students will find support in these areas: writing, tutoring related to study skills, and tutoring related to specific course content. The ARC offers FREE academic support to all Mission U students, both undergraduate and seminary.
At the ARC, located in the G.B. Vick Memorial Library, you will find a warm and welcoming environment with an atmosphere that is appropriate for learning. The library location, with tutors who are also trained for library services, offers a convenient, one-stop academic support opportunity for students.
Please utilize this page to learn about our hours and services, to schedule a tutor, and much more. Your success is our goal!
Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ. — Colossians 3:23-24
Need to contact a tutor?
Send an email directly to one of the email addresses below to begin the process or call 417.268.6048. Please note that this is the library’s main phone number, which is where the Academic Resource Center (ARC) is located.
TUTOR EMAILS:
Hope Taylor
Library Circulation and Academic Services Coordinator
htaylor@mission.edu
417.268.6000 ext. 6126
Kyndal Eddins: keddins20@mission.edu
Ellee Franklin: efranklin21@mission.edu
Emma Mulford: emulford25@mission.edu
Gracie Jones: gjones92@mission.edu
GENERAL SERVICE QUESTIONS
Q: Who can use the ARC?
A: Any Mission U undergrad/seminary student can utilize the ARC staff and resources.
Q: Can I print in the ARC?
A: Yes, there is currently 1 printer/copier/scanner located north of the library front desk by the library computers.
Q: When is the ARC open?
A: The ARC area is open whenever the library is open; however, tutoring may be limited at times due to staffing. Click HERE for library hours or see the hours listed on the Home Tab above.
ACADEMIC TUTORING QUESTIONS
Q: Do I need to schedule a tutor or can I just walk in?
A: While you do not have to schedule a tutor, doing so ensures that you have a slot.
Q: Is there always a tutor available when the ARC is open?
A: No, there are times that only one tutor/library clerk is working and may not be available for an extensive tutoring session.
Q: What classes/subjects does the ARC offer tutoring in?
A: We do not have a setlist of courses or subjects we tutor in. One of our tutors should be able to assist you in almost any course offered at Mission U.
Q: How long are tutoring sessions?
A: Most sessions last for 30 minutes, but you can schedule an hour-long session if you would like. We recommend hour-long sessions for writing sessions involving papers over 5 pages.
Q: I am not required to attend tutoring sessions, but would like to meet with a tutor. Is that allowed?
A: Absolutely! The ARC is here to meet the needs of all Mission U students.
Q: What should I bring to a tutoring appointment?
A: You should bring the assignment or project that you need help with. Depending on the project, you should probably bring your syllabus, assignment instructions, assignment rubric, or any notes you have taken in a class or on the assignment. You may also need to bring your course textbook if it pertains to your project or assignment. Plan on bringing pens, pencils, paper, and a laptop or device of choice.
WRITING SUPPORT QUESTIONS
Q: Does the ARC offer editing and proofreading?
A: The ARC is not a proofreading or editing service, although we are happy to help writers learn these skills. If you visit us, our tutors will work collaboratively with you. After reading through your assignment and paper together, we'll discuss any concerns that you may have. We will help you learn to find and correct sentence-level errors (problems like grammar errors, punctuation errors, and typos). We will NOT physically correct items in your papers as this poses an academic integrity issue since it is YOUR work. We may direct you to further resources at the end of a session. Our goal is to support your long-term development as a writer, giving you new skills to use in future writing projects.
Q: Can I just drop off my paper for proofreading and editing and pick it up later?
A: No, we only allow a paper to be dropped off or emailed ahead of time if it is prior to a scheduled appointment. This may allow the tutor time to look through your paper and develop a plan for your session. We cannot help you improve your writing skills by just suggesting edits to your paper. The goal is for you to understand the mistakes you are making and improve on them. Schedule a tutoring session so that we can meet with you face-to-face. Discussing your paper and working through difficulties will assist you in improving your writing skills.
Q: What should I bring to a writing appointment?
A: Partly, this depends on where you are in the paper. The most overwhelming task for many students is just getting started. If that is the case, come with some actual ideas and thoughts of what you want to write about. While we can assist you in brainstorming, it is not our job to come up with ideas and find all your sources for you. Assuming you have begun your paper, bring whatever form your paper is currently in (rough draft, handwritten notes, final draft, etc.). Please bring the guidelines your professor has given for your paper. This information helps us customize our assistance for the specific assignment you are working on. You will need to bring a pen and paper to make notes.
Q: Can you proofread my paper right before I turn it in?
A: No, is the short answer. Generally, we need to proofread your paper the day before or two hours before at a minimum. Proofreading is a process and requires our careful reading of the paper and then some discussions with you before you make corrections.
Test Proctoring:
The ARC can assist with proctoring tests. Please follow the link below and provide appropriate information for us to assist you.
Faculty Directed Tutoring:
To schedule a tutoring session, please choose an email from the list below:
TUTOR EMAILS:
Hope Taylor
Library Circulation and Academic Services Coordinator
htaylor@mission.edu
417.268.6000 ext. 6126
Kyndal Eddins: keddins20@mission.edu
Ellee Franklin: efranklin21@mission.edu
Emma Mulford: emulford25@mission.edu
Gracie Jones: gjones92@mission.edu
Tutoring Services
The ARC offers free, walk-in tutoring or scheduled appointments from student tutors. The ARC desires to create opportunities for student success by helping students become more independent in their learning.
When coming in for tutoring, you should:
- START the assignment (try on your own first);
- PREPARE questions to ask the tutor;
- BRING assignments, notes, and textbooks;
- BE READY to tell the tutor what you would like help with;
- BRING a positive attitude and willingness to try!
And tutors will:
- REVIEW concepts, types of problems, and rules;
- HELP students follow assignment guidelines;
- OFFER study tips and encouragement;
- ASSIST in using textbooks, syllabi, and class materials;
- GUIDE you through the writing process (from pre-writing to revision).
Tutors will not:
- Do your homework;
- Teach you content if you missed class;
- Help you with take-home tests/quizzes, test corrections, extra credit, and/or pre- and post-tests.
Organization and Planning
One of the most significant contributors to academic failure is the lack of organizational and time management skills.
Does any of the following apply to you?
- All-nighters (for EVERY project)
- Late Assignments
- Always in a rush to finish your work in time
- Procrastination
- Perfectionism
- Poorly defined goals (you have no clue what you need to accomplish next)
- Indecisiveness
To schedule a tutoring session, please choose an email from the list below:
TUTOR EMAILS:
Hope Taylor
Library Circulation and Academic Services Coordinator
htaylor@mission.edu
417.268.6000 ext. 6126
Kyndal Eddins: keddins20@mission.edu
Ellee Franklin: efranklin21@mission.edu
Emma Mulford: emulford25@mission.edu
Gracie Jones: gjones92@mission.edu
Take a Quiz/Test
Proctored Quiz/Test:
Your professor may proctor your classes test through the ARC to allow for more time to take the test or use class time more wisely.
Make sure you are aware of the last day to take a test. The ARC cannot assist if the test is closed. You will have to speak to your professor.
Make-up Quiz/Test
A professor may setup a make-up test or quiz through the ARC.
Test Accommodations
If you had test accommodations in high school related to a disability, IEP, or 504, then you may be able to arrange something similar in college. Speak with your professor or the Director of Library Services to see how we can assist you.
Mission U is committed to complying with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and Title III of the Americans with Disabilities ACt, federal laws that prohibit discrimination on the basis of disability, and relevant state law. The Academic Resource Center (ARC) supports qualified students with disabilites by determining eligibility and providing necessary and reasonable academic adjustments and/or accomodations.
Any student seeking academic adjustments to accomodate limitations due to disability is required to register with the ARC. Requests for academic adjustments and/or accomodations shoudl be submitted to Jon Jones, Director of Library and Academic Services, at jjones@mission.edu.
Writing Assistance
- The official APA website contains some helpful information for writing assignments.
Mission U Ministry Studies Writing Style Guide
This has been developed to assist students working on assignments that require the use of the Mission U Ministry Studies Writing Style Guide.APA Template (Microsoft Word) - 7th Edition
This template is designed for use in Mission U course assignments that require APA formatting. Feel free to download for future use.Mission U APA Writing Style Guide (7th Edition)
The style guide is meant to assist online and on-campus undergraduate students and online graduate students (professional studies division) with formatting papers.- Enhance Your Writing. Eliminate grammar errors. Detect plagiarism. Easily improve any text. Services: Advanced Grammar Rules, Contextual Spell Checker, Vocabulary Enhancement. You can easily add this resource to Google Chrome, MS Office, and more. Mission U provides Grammarly for all of our students. If you are not utilizing this tool, set your account up ASAP.
Editing & Proofreading Strategies:
Some Introductory thoughts: Effective writing cannot be accomplished without the essential elements of editing and proofreading. Prior to editing and proofreading, a writer must utilize things such as brainstorming, planning, drafting, and revising. If you skip these steps, the result will be a paper that is unclear, underdeveloped, and difficult to correct in the later stages of the writing process. When you reach to point of proofreading and editing your paper, you must do so carefully and thoroughly. While review and feedback are important, the following strategies may also prove useful.
- Leave yourself plenty of time for all steps of the writing process, including editing.
- Get acquainted with your resources.
- Know your weaknesses.
- Print a copy of your paper to use when editing and proofreading.
- Read your paper out loud.
- Read your paper backwards.
- Check the punctuation.
- Check the citations.