The academic resource center, also known as the ARC, has introduced a new student internship program this year to give students extra academic support while giving the students real-world experience as interns. These internships are designed to benefit both the interns and the students who use the ARC.
The ARC, implemented this year, provides help to students looking for extra academic assistance or just looking to excel. It offers tutoring in various subjects, organization help and a quiet environment for students to complete work.
Bri Blair ‘26, current manager of the student internship program, is in charge of all the interns who volunteer their time in the ARC.
Blair has been working with Shannon Donaldson, director of the ARC, to allow students to gain leadership experience and skills through the internship program in working with peers with learning difficulties.
“The goal is to help students who are struggling or want to excel,” Donaldson said.
The ARC student internship program was designed to provide students with in-depth knowledge and skills the ability to help those who are struggling in certain subjects.
Sometimes it may be easier to hear from fellow students rather than teachers. Receiving help from student interns can make students feel more comfortable asking questions or asking for help knowing that they are getting assistance from a student.
“Kids can come in for more specialized help on specific topics where our interns can go really in-depth with them,” Blair said.
With the help of the ARC, students are able to receive new and helpful study techniques that teachers may not provide.
The diverse group of interns, all skilled in various subjects, are able to share what they have learned with students to allow them to succeed in subjects they may not fully understand.
Students apply to be interns and are selected based on their academic interests in the subjects they want to tutor and on why they are interested in being a part of the program. The program makes sure student interns are able to communicate with the students to provide the help they need.
“We can give them more confidence in their learning journey by having them go to a fellow Xavier student,” said Valerie Garcia ‘27.
Garcia is a current student intern for the ARC. She believes that the ARC can help students with confidence and communication through their academic journeys.
By going to the ARC students are provided with a comfortable learning environment, and they are able to feel at ease asking questions knowing that a peer is the one answering.
Donaldson has said the program has received positive feedback so far from students. The faculty is continuing to watch the impact it is having on their students.
As the school year continues, the ARC staff plans to continue to build the student internship program. The ARC and its interns remain available to students seeking academic support throughout the school year.
