A member of the Randolph-Macon College community was recently awarded the Higgins Academic Center’s annual Outstanding Tutor Advocate Award. The award goes to a faculty/staff member for providing exceptional guidance/encouragement and/or collaborating with and facilitating the work of Higgins Academic Center (HAC) tutors.

Through over 3,000 sessions this academic year, RMC tutors played a large role in helping the HAC create an atmosphere of support and collaboration while also contributing significantly to the college’s overall retention efforts.

Yoshiko Himata, instructor of Japanese, was presented the award by the HAC executive director, Professor Seth Clabough ’98, and Morgan Merkel, assistant director of the HAC and director of subject tutoring & learning support.

“Tutors play an essential role in helping students pursue their academic potential,” says Clabough. “Their efforts help improve the experience of our students and play an important part in the college’s retention efforts. We are proud to recognize Professor Himata for supporting those students who work hard to support their peers.”

A Student-generated Award
This award carries with it a monetary prize, but its real value is that nominees come solely from student recommendations and letters of support. 

Those who nominated Himata noted how “accommodating” she was in supporting tutors as they worked with students who were having trouble with content. Nominators also noted that she held multiple meetings and discussions with tutors to help them make a game plan for the support they offered.

Himata collaborated with HAC speaking consultants to help students in her class practice and receive feedback on class presentations in advance of delivering them in class. “She really made efforts to work with us,” wrote another tutor, so that we could more effectively “help her students inside and outside of class.”

The Honoree
“I am so humbled to receive this award, especially given the fact that it is student-generated,” says Himata. “It is a pleasure to work with wonderful Japanese tutors who are passionate and support their peers. Their work enabled my students to have better outcomes, and I encourage students to continue to take advantage of the tutors’ support through the HAC.”

The Higgins Academic Center
The HAC offers resources and programming to help students succeed academically. Located on the first floor of the McGraw-Page Library, the HAC is home to the offices of Disability Services, Advising Resources, New Student Orientation & Transitions, and Tutoring & Learning Support.