Partner Spotlight: Erica Chaviano from Georgia Tech

At Knack, we’re fortunate to collaborate with campus leaders who are passionate about transforming academic support—and Erica Chaviano is a standout example. As the Assistant Director for Tutoring and Academic Support and Knack Program Administrator at Georgia Tech, Erica has been instrumental in launching and scaling a campus-wide peer tutoring initiative that now supports all students across all courses.

Thanks to Erica’s leadership and dedication, the program has made a measurable impact: 45% of students who used Knack had never previously engaged with peer tutoring at Georgia Tech, and student confidence in course material increased by an impressive 34%. These outcomes are a direct reflection of Erica’s hands-on approach and her passion for student success. We’re honored to spotlight her work and the incredible strides Georgia Tech is making in peer learning.

Knack: Introduce yourself and tell us about your role at Georgia Tech.

Erica: I’m originally from New York and I did my Bachelor’s and Master’s both at Buffalo State University. In undergrad, I majored in Communication Studies with a minor in Creative Leadership and in my Master’s program I went with Higher Ed Administration. This year will be my fourth year at Georgia Tech. I can’t believe it’s been four years already! I currently serve as the Assistant Director for Tutoring and Academic Support. When Knack first came on board, I was the Tutor Coordinator and later promoted to Assistant Director, so I’ve seen the program evolve and grow firsthand.

Knack: What led you to work in academic support?

Erica: I spent six years working in housing and residence life at Valdosta State University. I remember my first supervisor asking me, “Are you a student affairs professional or a housing professional?” That question made me realize there were broader opportunities within student affairs. I wanted a different pace and new goals, so I explored other areas of university support services and eventually landed in academic affairs. It’s been a great fit. I’ve always valued academic support—though I wish I had been more mindful of it as an undergrad myself. I really appreciate how we’re now focused on meeting students where they are and making academic support more accessible.

Knack: You mentioned starting as the Tutoring Coordinator at Georgia Tech. How has your career evolved since then, and how has your perspective changed?

Erica: As an Assistant Director, I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with our leadership team in academic success and advising. That’s helped me develop a broader understanding of holistic student support and see the bigger picture beyond the day-to-day work. In coordinator or manager roles, sometimes you can be very focused on your individual tasks. But in this role, I’ve been able to step back and recognize the large-scale impact of what we do. At Georgia Tech, we’ve been intentional about creating an environment where students can access one-stop-shop support. We’re trying to move in a direction where we meet students where they are.

Knack: Is there a story that you’d like to share that has affirmed your work in higher education?

Erica: It’s always interesting when students I supervise realize that I’ve been to college and have a degree! They’re often surprised and impressed when I share where I studied because it’s unfamiliar to them—especially since Georgia Tech students tend to focus on engineering. When I talk about my background, it often sparks an Aha! moment and inspires them to think differently about their own professional paths. My takeaway may not be directly related to the tutoring experience, but a big part of my role involves supervising student staff, which is core to student affairs. Sparking their interest in other career opportunities makes me feel like their engagement with our program has allowed them to think about their future in ways they might not have considered otherwise.

Knack: At Georgia Tech, you’ve successfully integrated Knack with drop-in tutoring. Can you elaborate on how you made that happen and how the program has evolved?

Erica: When Knack first joined our team, there was a perception that it was a standalone offering. For a while, we treated tutoring and academic support as separate from Knack. But we realized that approach wasn’t as cohesive as we wanted. After some reflection, we saw Knack as a true partner—just like our other campus collaborations. We needed to embed it into our program intentionally and creatively. Now, Knack is a core part of what we offer. It’s integrated into our service culture and promoted throughout our space. We also encourage students to hold their in-person Knack sessions at the tutoring center, where they can access helpful tools like whiteboards and markers.

Knack: Is there anything that has surprised you about partnering with Knack?

Erica: There’s always going to be some initial hesitation when departments bring in something new, like Knack. But one thing I’ve really appreciated is how evident Knack’s growth has been throughout our partnership—especially in terms of data access and our relationship with our Knack Partner Success Manager. I think campus partners, like myself, really value the intentional efforts to improve how we use data and strengthen the partnership overall.

Knack: What is your vision for the future of peer tutoring as a functional area?

Erica: I’m really invested in our embedded tutoring program. I believe meeting students where they are is the future of academic support. Programs and partnerships like Knack give students the autonomy to access tutoring that fits their needs and schedules. I also see a growing opportunity for departmental collaboration. We want every department on campus to recognize the value of academic support services. There’s a lot of potential in embedding these resources into how departments deliver student support more broadly.

Erica Chaviano’s leadership and vision have been instrumental in shaping a more accessible, inclusive, and impactful peer tutoring experience at Georgia Tech. Her ability to seamlessly integrate Knack into the broader academic support ecosystem is a testament to her dedication to student success and innovation in higher education. As the needs of students continue to evolve, leaders like Erica ensure that support systems evolve with them—meeting students where they are and empowering them to thrive. We’re proud to partner with Erica and Georgia Tech, and we’re excited to continue building a future where every student has the support they need to succeed.