Rethinking Academic Support in Higher Ed
Colleges and universities are currently facing a host of challenges—declining enrollment, budget constraints, shifting workforce demands, and the urgent need to improve outcomes for historically underserved students. For historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), the pressures are even greater, compounded by decades of underfunding and systemic inequities.
Yet in the face of these challenges, Fort Valley State University (FVSU) is charting a new course—one that not only addresses these realities head-on but also redefines what student-centered academic support can look like. During a recent webinar hosted by Knack, Dr. Heidi Gregg, Academic Support Coordinator at FVSU, joined our team to share how the university is empowering students through an inclusive, dynamic peer tutoring initiative that continues to exceed expectations.
Laying the Groundwork: Understanding the Challenges
As our webinar opened, we set the stage by acknowledging the wider higher ed environment. Institutions like FVSU are working against the tide of:
- Federal and state funding cuts
- Increased scrutiny of DEI programs
- Leadership turnover
- Rising student needs and mental health concerns
- Pressure to demonstrate career readiness and workforce alignment
For FVSU, the stakes are especially high. Yet rather than retreat in the face of these difficulties, the campus doubled down on supporting students—and peer tutoring became one of their most powerful tools in doing so.
A Bold Partnership: Fort Valley State + Knack
In 2022, FVSU partnered with Knack to help scale its academic support offerings, eliminate administrative burden, and reach more students across more courses. The results, now two years into the partnership, speak for themselves:
- 1,977 tutoring sessions completed
- 2,903 total student contact hours
- 270 unique students served
- 67% of students returned for multiple sessions
- 219% increase in tutoring hours year-over-year
- 134 courses covered by active tutors
- 4.9/5 average tutor rating
One especially exciting data point: 57% of students using Knack at FVSU had never engaged with any tutoring service before. That means FVSU’s approach isn’t just more efficient—it’s more equitable, bringing new students into the fold who previously went without support.
More Than Metrics: A Cultural Shift on Campus
Dr. Gregg emphasized that these numbers aren’t simply the result of better technology—they’re the outcome of an intentional, people-first approach. She and her team made a point to embed the program in the daily rhythm of campus life. That meant:
- Presenting in first-year seminars
- Hosting pop-up events like “Stop, Drop, and Study” and “Knack’s Got Your Back”
- Building strong faculty relationships
- Meeting students in places like the dining hall and library patio
- Empowering peer tutors to be ambassadors and leaders
This visibility and consistency have helped shift the culture around tutoring from something stigmatized to something embraced. “We had to build trust,” Dr. Gregg shared. “We had to show students that asking for help is a strength.”
Chemistry and Confidence: Spotlight on Impact
One of the clearest examples of success can be seen in FVSU’s chemistry courses. Once a bottleneck for many students, Principles of Chemistry I has become a standout area of growth. Chemistry tutors formed group chats, led weekly study groups, and created an environment where students could thrive together. With over 880 contact hours logged in Chemistry I alone, it’s clear these efforts are making an impact.
Precalculus is another area where support has translated into tangible change. Students reported a nearly 70% increase in confidence after participating in tutoring sessions, and these same students often became advocates for tutoring among their peers.
Why It Works: Reducing Administrative Burden and Increasing Human Connection
One of the major benefits of Knack’s model is that it removes many of the administrative barriers that typically bog down academic support programs. Dr. Gregg no longer has to chase timesheets or manage payroll. Instead, she gets to focus on what matters—supporting students.
Knack handles:
- Tutor onboarding and vetting
- Payroll and timesheet management
- Training aligned with CRLA standards
- Course-by-course tutor matching
- Data tracking and reporting
This frees up valuable time for campus leaders to deliver workshops, engage with students, collaborate with faculty, and build out holistic success strategies—just as Dr. Gregg has done at Fort Valley.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Academic Support at FVSU
FVSU’s commitment to growth, visibility, and student voice positions the university as a model for what’s possible when peer tutoring is prioritized as a strategic tool for equity and student success.
At Knack, we’re proud to partner with campuses like Fort Valley State University—institutions that aren’t just adapting to change, but shaping it. Dr. Gregg and her team have turned tutoring into a hub of engagement, connection, and impact. Their story is a reminder that when students are seen, supported, and empowered, there is no limit to what they can achieve.
