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Who We Are



Who works in the Chemistry Learning Center?

The chemistry coaches are undergraduate students who have recently completed first year chemistry courses at MTU. They have done well in the course and are knowledgeable about chemistry. They meet on a regular basis with the chemistry faculty to keep current on what is happening in the class sessions.

The chemistry coaches have been carefully selected for their interest and commitment to helping freshman succeed at MTU and in their chemistry class. They understand the adjustments that are needed to adapt in a college environment because they have recently been there themselves.

The Chemistry Learning Center coaches are in a wide range of majors. We have coaches who are mechanical engineers, civil engineers, chemical engineers as well as chemistry and biological science majors. And other majors as well.

The Chemistry Learning Center coaches come from a many different backgrounds and places. Most of them are involved in various campus organizations and activities. But they all have in common a sincere desire to help freshman students!

You will find them to be friendly and fun. They are approachable and will help to make you feel comfortable in the Chemistry Learning Center and at Michigan Technological University.

 

Why are the Chemistry Learning Center staff called “coaches?”

They are called “coaches” because that is a good descriptive word for what they do. They are not teachers or tutors, although they do explain some of the material as needed.

Athletes have coaches. The athletes themselves do the training, the practice and the work involved in becoming proficient in their sport. The athletic coach provides direction and emphasis and support in achieving goals. The athletes do the work but the athletic coaches help them achieve their optimum performance.

In the same manner, chemistry students do the practice, the reading and the work needed to become proficient in chemistry. The chemistry coaches are there to serve as guides, to help when stuck on something and to provide direction and support for students in reaching their goals for their chemistry class.


Would you like to become a coach in the Chemistry Learning Center?

We do our hiring during Spring Semester for the next academic year.
The best time to submit an application is right before or after Spring Break.

Essential Requirements:
1. Good communications skills
2. Ability to get along with others, patience and a positive attitude
3. An interest in helping the new freshmen class adjust to college life and college level work
4. Successful completion of CH1100 or CH1110 (or currently enrolled) and a good understanding of the content.
5. Enthusiasm for chemistry is required!

Other requirements:
Preference in hiring is given to those with (a) excellent verbal communication skills and a caring, patient attitude, (b) personal experience using the services of the Chemistry Learning Center, having been enrolled in CH0011 with a regular appointment or team, (c) previous tutoring experience, and (d) more time remaining before graduation (due to extensive training involved).

Hiring preference is given to those who have taken first year chemistry at MTU.

A condition of employment is regular attendance at weekly coach training meetings held on Thursdays from 5:00 – 6:00 pm. Attendance at weekly meetings is mandatory. Coaches are expected to work at least 5-8 hours per week plus the meetings.

This is a job that requires commitment! You will be establishing a coaching relationship with your students and they will be depending on meeting with you at the specified times. Once the semester work schedule is made up, you’ll be expected to be at work during your scheduled hours on a consistent basis. Unsatisfactory performance as a coach and/or failure to report for scheduled work assignments is cause for dismissal.

Other information:
Students from all majors are encouraged to apply! It’s important for the students using the Center to see that it’s possible to be a mechanical engineer, for example, and still be interested in and good at chemistry!

First year coaches work in the CLC Fall Semester only. Depending on satisfactory performance, coaches will be given an academic year contract at the beginning of their 2nd year of working at the CLC. (This is because of large chemistry course enrollments in the Fall Semester and a smaller number of students in Spring.)

Completed applications can be submitted to the CLC after Spring Break. There will be a box on the table on your right as you walk into the CLC. Applications are due by March 25th but they can be turned in sooner.

After some screening, qualified students will be contacted to set up an interview.

The finalists are selected and invited to participate in a group interview process on a Saturday afternoon in April. See application for date. Click here to download an application form (PDF) (coming soon).


Meet Lois Blau

Chemistry Learning Center & First Year Chemistry Coordinator

Hi! My office is located in the Chemistry Learning Center, Room 206A. My phone number is 906-487-2297. My email address is lablau@mtu.edu.

As advisor for students concerning first year chemistry, students are welcome to stop by my office for assistance as needed.

I can help you with questions pertaining to the Chemistry Learning Center and advise you regarding first year chemistry classes.

Chemistry Learning Center Questions
If you would like to set up an appointment or team
If you need to be absent from an appointment or team
If you have questions about CLC policies, hours, etc.
If you have a question about your grade in CH0011

First Year Chemistry Questions
If you have questions about the guidelines for selecting your chemistry class.
Click here to go to the first year chemistry page.

If you are not doing well in the class and don’t know what to do
If you need help with how to study chemistry
If you need special accommodation for taking your exams
If you have questions about your exam or quiz score
If you have questions about your grade in your chemistry class
If you would like a copy of your Scantron test form
Any questions relating to first year chemistry

Click here to visit the Chemistry Courses page.

Organic Chemistry
If you would like to know the organic chemistry hours.
If you would like to have an individual appointment and are not sure how to arrange

Other Areas
If you are interested in becoming a chemistry major.
If you have questions about taking summer chemistry courses.
If you don’t know who else to ask or who else to talk to – please don’t hesitate to ask me. I may not know the answer to your specific question, but I usually know who to ask!

I have an “open door policy” and students are welcome to stop by if any assistance is needed. I enjoy helping students make the adjustment to college and MTU and am willing to help in any way that I can.


A little bit about me and what I like to do when I’m not working

I moved to this area from Milwaukee, Wisconsin about 15 years ago when I married my husband, Gary. We live near Calumet.

For the past few years, Gary & I have been enjoying our annual travels to Norway (http://www.visitnorway.com/) where we visit our relatives and travel throughout the country. We love the people, the culture and the spectacular scenery – the mountains and fjords.

In winter, I like to cross country ski ( http://www.aux.mtu.edu/rec/ccski/)
and snowshoe. In the summer, I enjoy golfing and am a member of the Tuesday night women’s league at MTU Portage Lake Golf Course (http://www.aux.mtu.edu/golf/). I like to walk & hike.

Quieter pursuits include reading (polar expeditions, true survival stories and British novels), tending to our home & unwinding in our authentic Finnish sauna.