Harte Center Peer Tutoring Program Achieves Certification from the College Reading and Learning Association

By Brian Laubscher
April 16, 2026

The College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) has announced that the Houston H. Harte Center for Teaching and Learning's Peer Tutoring Program at Washington and Lee University has achieved Level 1 certification through the International Tutor Training Program.

The certification recognizes an accepted standard of skills and training for the program's individual tutors. For tutors to receive individual certification through the program, they must complete a one-credit peer education course, accumulate 25 hours of experience and achieve successful performance evaluations. Once all the criteria have been satisfied, the Harte Center will individually certify each tutor.

"We are thrilled that our Peer Tutoring Program has been recognized by the CRLA. This certification reflects our tutors' commitment to rigorous training, mentorship and professional growth," said Adam Scales, assistant director of academic success. "More importantly, it highlights the exceptional quality of our tutors and the meaningful impact they have on the students they support every day. We are so proud to certify tutors who demonstrate excellence in peer tutoring at W&L."

The W&L Peer Tutoring Program provides free academic assistance for students, helping to foster a positive and encouraging learning environment for a diverse group of students. Working in partnership with students and faculty, the peer tutors empower students by providing them with the tools to become effective independent learners while increasing confidence in their skills and abilities.

The program's one-on-one tutoring services remain a central component of its support model, with tutors delivering more than 1,000 individual sessions to more than 250 students this academic year, record-breaking totals for the program. Building on this foundation, the program has also introduced an embedded tutoring model, in which tutors are paired with faculty members and integrated directly into their courses. This approach extends the scope of support, allowing tutors to offer drop-in assistance, facilitate small-group tutoring and attend classes to enhance student learning.

"All of this is possible because Adam had a clear vision built upon the foundations of how people learn," said JT Torres, Harte Center director. "For example, people are more likely to learn from their peers, so a strong peer education program means strong education for the peer educators. This certification ensures that we help students develop an understanding of learning theory and apply it in real time."

The CRLA has been a leader in learning assistance, reading and academic support programs for more than 30 years, with nearly 1,300 members and more than 2,000 certified training programs worldwide.