OU student named Michigan Tutorial Association Tutor of the Year

OU student named Michigan Tutorial Association Tutor of the Year
Joe LoCicero Tutoring
OU student Joe LoCicero was recognized as the Michigan Tutorial Association's Tutor of the Year.

One of Joe LoCicero’s biggest thrills in life is helping others succeed. For the past three years, the senior actuarial science major has worked in OU’s Tutoring Center, helping students grasp challenging concepts in mathematics, statistics, economics and finance.

 

His knack for demystifying difficult topics has drawn praise from staff and students, and even captured statewide recognition. The Michigan Tutorial Association recently named LoCicero its 2015 Tutor of the Year.

 

Nominees were evaluated based on several criteria, which included showing “initiative and creativity” in tutoring and serving as a “mentor” and “role model” for tutors and students.

 

“It’s very humbling to win an award like this,” LoCicero said. “I really enjoy what I do.”

 

LoCicero has been a Supplemental Instruction leader and tutor for 17 courses. He is a Master/Level 3-certified tutor through the College Reading and Learning Association and has attended more than 40 hours of training. The Tutoring Center's director, Elizabeth DeVerna, wrote a letter to the Michigan Tutorial Association recommending LoCicero for the award.

 

“Students are at ease with him because he is non-judgmental and caring,” she wrote. “Joe is extremely bright and knowledgeable in many subjects, but he always exhibits patience and respect toward students, regardless of their ability level.”

 

In 2014, while interning in OU’s Summer Student Campus Corps, LoCicero created roughly 275 YouTube videos, providing students with step-by-step lessons in various OU mathematics and statistics courses. Faculty members have also used the videos as part of their course instruction.

 

“The video lessons cover everything from introductory to advanced courses,” said LoCicero, “They are a great tool for students who may be having trouble learning material or who just want to get some extra practice with certain concepts.”

 

LoCicero seeks to help students by breaking problems down into small steps and finding new ways to illustrate ideas. His greatest reward is seeing a student “break through” and understand the material.

 

“I love that moment when the light turns on, and they finally get something they had been struggling with,” LoCicero said. “It makes me feel like I played a part in helping them reach their goal.”

 

For more on OU’s Tutoring Center, visit oakland.edu/tutoring.