More than half of college students—an estimated 53%—have never accessed any form of academic support on their campus. It’s a staggering figure, not because it reflects a lack of need, but because it highlights how much opportunity exists to better serve today’s diverse learners. Learning centers remain a vital hub for academic support, yet their capacity is often shaped by hours, staffing, or space. That can leave many students without the help they need—not due to a lack of effort, but due to limited reach.
Meeting Students Where They Are
At Knack, we collaborate closely with learning center leaders and academic teams to help expand that reach. What we’ve seen is that many students aren’t avoiding support out of apathy or overconfidence. Instead, they’re navigating work schedules, caregiving responsibilities, long commutes, or uncertainty about how to get started. Traditional support windows don’t always align with their lives. And for students who are new to campus or the first in their families to attend college, even knowing where to go or whom to ask can feel like a barrier.
This is where flexibility becomes essential. By offering a parallel path to support—one that is accessible, approachable, and peer-driven—we can extend the incredible work of learning centers and ensure students get the help they need, when they need it.
The Role of Peer Tutoring
Knack’s peer tutoring strategy is designed to complement existing services, not compete with them. Students can choose a tutor, schedule sessions on their own time, and meet either online or in person. More than 50 percent of sessions take place outside standard business hours. Even more telling, 53 percent of students who use Knack say they’ve never accessed tutoring before.
That’s not a critique of traditional models—it’s a signal that when we reduce friction and increase relatability, students are more likely to engage. Peer tutors provide academic support in a way that feels familiar and less intimidating. That dynamic doesn’t replace professional staff. It adds another layer of connection, one rooted in shared experience and mutual understanding.
Working Together for Greater Impact
This is about partnership. Learning centers lay the foundation for academic support. Knack helps build on that foundation, extending services to students who might otherwise go unserved. By adding peer tutoring into the mix, campuses can expand course coverage, offer support at more times of day, and create a broader network of learning opportunities without placing more burden on existing teams.
Support models that blend professional expertise with peer relatability offer a more holistic experience. When institutions align these efforts, they not only increase access—they strengthen trust, engagement, and outcomes across the board.
What Comes Next
Students today need flexible, student-centered support that matches the complexity of their lives. Learning centers will always be essential to that effort. But to serve all students, especially those who haven’t yet raised their hands, we must continue to innovate around access and equity.
Peer tutoring isn’t just a service. It’s a strategic extension of what already works, reaching students who need support but haven’t yet found the right doorway. Together, we can ensure every student has a path to succeed.
Want to explore how Knack can help your campus reach more students? Let’s talk about expanding your support ecosystem.
