Learning Commons News & Events

Meet the tutors! These are the faces ready to help you study smarter, build confidence, and reach your goals.

Hi! My name is Adam Grunch, and I have been a math tutor for the SKYCTC learning commons since the Spring of 2025!

I tutor math classes from MAT 61 all the way up to Differential Equations, as well as Physics 1. I can also help with circuits and CAD, as I have an extensive background with both! Being diagnosed with ADHD, I understand the struggles that come with learning math and other complex subjects, and thankfully I have a lot of patience because of that.

I’m from the small town of Rineyville, Kentucky and am currently an Electrical Engineering major at Western Kentucky University! I’ve been tinkering with electronics and experimenting in my garage ever since I’ve been able to pick up a wrench! I also work seasonally as an elevator mechanic helper, so I have been on both sides of the MEP coin.

Thanks for reading! 

Hi, my name is Ashley Helmes, and I am a general tutor in the Learning Commons. I started as a student worker in March 2024 and transitioned to be a peer tutor in Fall 2024, and now I am a general tutor. I am available for tutoring in ACC 201, ACC 202, MAT 61, CIT 105, FYE 110, and Writing. I have taken all of these classes, as well as other accounting classes.

I have an Associate’s in Arts & an Associate’s in Science here at SKYCTC, and I am currently going for my Associate’s in Business Administration. Once done with that, I will be transferring to a 4-year university to get my Bachelor’s in Accounting.

When not working or doing homework, I am usually playing video games or watching tv shows. I’m a big fan of horror movies and games, my favorites being Ju-On: The Grudge, The Cabin in the Woods, Dead by Daylight, and Outlast Trials. I can also be found playing tabletop roleplaying games (TTRPGs). I am currently in a Dungeons & Dragons campaign and am slowly working on my own campaigns for Mothership and Call of Cthulhu, both horror based games. 

My name is Avery Knochel, and I am excited to be the new Writing Coach at SKYCTC!

I recently moved back to Kentucky from Washington state, where I earned my MFA in Creative Writing. While there, I explored much of the Pacific Northwest, Mountain West, and Canada. I also had the opportunity to teach writing classes at Canadian colleges and within Washington communities—including at correctional facilities. Before my western adventure, I worked in K-12 schools with seventh graders, kindergarteners, and every grade in between.

I am a 2021 graduate from the University of Louisville, where I obtained my English degree and tutored UofL’s athletes. Apart from teaching, I enjoy traveling, hiking, and working on my novel.

As the Writing Coach, I can help you with pre-writing and brainstorming; MLA citation; grammar; essay structure; thesis statements; topic sentences; introductions and conclusions; revising and polishing your work; anything to do with writing! I'm here to help you at every stage of the writing process. If you don't know where to begin, book a session! 

Hello! My name is Drew Long, and I’ve been with the learning commons since January. I specialize in math and physics, mainly calculus-based classes. I was inspired to do tutoring when I was helping some of my classmates in Physics 1, seeing the gears turn in their head and figuring out a hard problem made me realize that tutoring can be fun, humbling and most importantly crucial for people to further understand topics they can’t grasp on their own.

I was born in California and lived their for 13 years, eventually moving to Kentucky during middle school. I now reside in Scottsville and choose to work in Bowling Green for more opportunities. I have many hobbies and I try to pick up as many as I can throughout my life time, some of these hobbies include: bowling, karaoke, kayaking, swimming, gaming, listening to music, taking long drives and fishing just to name a few. I truly hope you consider to book me as a tutor in the future! 

Hi, I'm Gulnisa Karadshayeva, the Math Specialist at the Learning Commons. Upon completing my Associate in Science, I started working as a part-time Math Tutor in the Learning Commons in 2012. I obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Fundamentals of Applied Math from WKU in 2015. On August 1st, 2024, I transitioned to my current role as a Math Specialist, where I continue to do what I enjoy and support students.

In my free time, I enjoy hiking, spending time in nature, cooking, and listening to all kinds of music while I’m in the kitchen. I also love traveling, exploring new places, and of course trying new food. It’s one of my favorite ways to relax and recharge. 

Hi Students,

My name is Jackie Travis, and I am an alumna of SKYCTC and WKU. I live with my partner, his daughter, and our four beloved cats; I’m absolutely obsessed with kitties! In my free time, I enjoy spending time in nature and listening to music.

When I started college, I was placed in a developmental math course. After dropping out of high school and earning my GED in my 20s, I understand the challenges of returning to math after a long break. I know firsthand the stress of college, and I'm here to support you. I specialize in algebra and statistics, and I can provide tools to help manage math and test anxiety. Please feel free to reach out if you need any assistance. 

Hi, my name is Macy Kitchens, and I am a writing tutor in the Learning Commons. I studied English and Sociology at Western Kentucky University, where I was also a writing tutor for 3 years. I work with students in any discipline in any writing assignment—whether it be research papers, literature analyses, technical writing, discussion boards, you name it! I am also available if you need more general writing help, like learning more about grammar, punctuation, tone, etc. Whether you’re stuck at the start or refining your final draft, I’d love to help you become a better writer and make writing feel a little less overwhelming/intimidating.

To tell you a little about myself, I was born and raised in Bowling Green, KY. I have two cats, Joey and Chandler (yes, like from Friends). I am very passionate about creating an environment where all students feel welcomed. At the moment, my favorite artists are Chappell Roan, DJO, Olivia Rodrigo, Laufey, and Sarah Kinsley. In my free time, I like to watch movies (especially horror) and play video games. 

Hi! I’m Rob, a passionate tutor here at SKYCTC, specializing in Computer Information Technologies, Math, First Year Experience, and Astronomy. I hold an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) and Associate of Arts (AA) degrees, and I’m currently working toward my Bachelor of Science in Computer Science.

I love helping people succeed, whether that means breaking down complex subjects or offering a little guidance on tech challenges. I take pride in making learning accessible, empowering, and even a little fun.

Speaking of fun, I’m also a huge fan of gaming in all its glorious forms, from video games and board games to card games and anything else that offers a wholesome challenge (and lets me crush my opponents while they beg for mercy, MWAHAHAHA!). If you're looking for support in one of my subject areas or just need a hand with your tech setup, I'm your fella! Let’s tackle it together. 

My name is Shari Claus. I have a Bachelor's in Mechanical Engineering (1987) and several years of experience in Automotive Manufacturing, Thermoforming Plastics, and Industrial Safety. My education also includes a Master's Degree in Education (2008) specializing in math and science, with several years of classroom teaching experience in public schools. I've also developed and implemented safety and technical training in the workplace.

For the most recent years, I have been tutoring for SKYCTC since 2021 when Covid hit and we went 100% Virtual.

When I'm not working, I love to play Bluegrass and Traditional Music on my acoustic guitar. Traveling to Bluegrass Festivals all over the country has been my favorite activity, especially when the road trip includes sightseeing. The picture of me with my little dog was taken in front of Devil's Tower in Wyoming. And when I'm not traveling, I'm very content at home on my 45 rolling acres along the Green River. My shady front porch is the best place for reading, relaxing, listening to the birds, and playing guitar.

How Can I Help You? If you have questions with any type of math, even if it isn't part of a formal math course (like dosage calculations in nursing, working formulas in basic electrical circuits, making a report using Excel, etc.) I can help! If you're not really struggling but would like a deeper understanding of mathematical modeling and the problem-solving process, I can help! If you experience any type of test anxiety and would like to boost your confidence as well as your problem-solving skills, I can definitely help! If it's been years since you were in a formal classroom and you're riding the struggle-bus trying to get back up to speed, I can help with that too! Meet me on Microsoft Teams and let's get started. 

I am Tate :3. I am looking forward to being your tutor!~ I reluctantly enjoy wasting my time with video games and movies when I am procrastinating reading and self-development.

I have been a general tutor here at SKYCTC's Learning Commons since 2022. I am a non-traditional, neurodivergent student who graduated from SKYCTC with an Associate in Arts, and went on to get a Bachelor of Science in Psychological Sciences at Western Kentucky University. I currently am a graduate student at WKU where I am studying counseling.

As someone who is currently a student and someone who understands attending college later than when students traditionally attend, as well as being neurodivergent and needing accommodations, I can understand and relate to the difficulty of adapting to college work and its schedule. And will eagerly be an advocate for you and help you get on track to accomplish the goal(s) that brought you here to SKYCTC and am excited to work with anyone and everyone and try to adapt our sessions to suit your needs.