ACE FAQs

The Academic Center for Excellence is a collaborative environment, which fosters critical thinking skills, creativity, and continual learning by providing student support services and academic guidance. The Academic Center for Excellence provides Academic Coaches, Student Support Staff, Student Tutoring, and Office of Information and Technology Support Staff.

Any current SUNY Niagara student, staff, or faculty member can use the Academic Center for Excellence. Students will need to sign in and out of the center using their SUNY Niagara T-Wolves email address.

• The Academic Center for Excellence is located on the Sanborn Campus within the Henrietta G. Lewis Library (D-201). The easiest way to find us is to enter the Learning Commons building, go up the main staircase (or take the elevator), and turn left. Here you should see the entrance to the Lewis Library, where ACE is located.

• Faculty – As a first step, we ask that you consult with your instructor(s) during office hours. Our faculty are committed to your success and know what is best for you to succeed in class.
• Academic Coaches – Professional
• Student Support Staff – The Student Support Staff within the Academic Center for Excellence are available to provide academic guidance including answering student questions or redirecting students to appropriate resources on campus.
• STAR-NY Online Tutoring – Late evening tutoring hours are available through STAR-NY Online Tutoring (Sunday – Thursday from 7:00pm – midnight). For more information, please go to: starny.org/tutoring_schedule

Academic Coaches are professional tutors with an educational background in content-specific areas. Coaches are great resources for questions and concerns that require immediate attention. For a full list of our Academic Coaches, please see niagaracc.suny.edu/ace/staff

• All student tutoring services are located within the Academic Center for Excellence in D-201.
• Student tutors are available by appointment or on a walk-in basis for individualized tutoring sessions.
• Student tutors are current SUNY Niagara students that have an overall GPA of 3.0 or better and received a B or better in the course(s) they are tutoring.
• Student tutors are interviewed by our Academic Center for Excellence staff and recommended by faculty members on campus.

1. Download the Penji app on your phone, or go to web.penjiapp.com. If it is your first time using Penji, click ‘Get Started” and create your account using your T-Wolves email and password. If you have already created your account, click “Already used Penji before? Sign back in.” to log in.
2. Select either “Make a 30 min appointment” or “Make a 60 min appointment.”
3. Select/Search for the course you would like tutoring in from the drop down menu.
4. Select a start time* for your appointment.
5. Select the tutor you would like to work with.
6. Choose a modality (In-Person at ACE or Online via ZOOM).
7. Confirm the details of your appointment and check your T-Wolves inbox to receive a confirmation email with the details of your appointment.

It is important to come fully prepared to your tutoring appointment. Please come prepared with any/all necessary materials, such as:

Handouts

Assignment(s)

Brightspace Login Information (to view course online)

Class notes

Class textbook

Drafts

The Student Support Staff can provide academic guidance including answering student questions or redirecting students to appropriate resources on campus. If you have a question about anything campus related, visit the Student Support Staff in D-201!

• Color and Black & White Printing
• Student Use Computers
• Microscopes and Slides
• Moveable Dry Erase Boards
• Various Science Models
• Private Study Space
• Family Study Room
• Conference Room