Learning Specialists - AZ

Make an Appointment

Learning Specialist services are FREE to all students currently enrolled at Midwestern University. Appointments with Learning Specialist, Amy Woodbeck, M.Ed., Learning Strategist, Dr. Mary Niemczyk, PhD, and Academic Counselor, Dr. Erin Appelt, P.T., D.P.T., are easy to make through a Student Self-Scheduling process.  Just click on a calendar below and set-up an appointment that fits your schedule.

Amy's Calendar
623-572-3845

Dr. Niemczyk's Calendar

Dr. Appelt's Calendar
623-572-6434

All inquiries are treated in a confidential manner. Please expect that questions will be asked regarding current stressors and academic needs.  The Learning Specialist is available Monday through Saturday. Please notify us if you will be late. Twenty-four-hour notice of cancellation allows us to use the time for other students in need.

Location & Hours

The Learning Specialist's Offices are located in the Office of Student Counseling & Academic Support in Barrel IV, Suite 112.

Amy Woodbeck's Hours:

Dr. Mary Niemczyk's Hours:

Dr. Erin Appelt's Hours:
*Dr. Appelt's hours listed are available times through email.  To schedule an appointment, go to her calendar.

Learning Specialist Services

Midwestern University strives to support students in any academic challenges they may experience. The Learning Specialist is available to help students effectively deal with academic issues through individual appointments, workshops, and groups.  Services include: 

• Academic support, language support, and communication support.  Support activities include, but are not limited to
  • Providing students with skills and strategies needed to become effective learners.
  • Helping identify and overcome obstacles that may be impeding academic goals.
  • Working with students to develop strong self-management and organizational skills.
  • Supporting writing skill development.
  • Addressing challenges relative to language (e.g., pronuinciation, word choice, context, cultural aspects affecting communication).
  • Developing effective communication skills to enhance rapport building and communication with patients and others in the interprofessional care team.
  • Collaborating with faculty for opportunities to enhance student learning opportunities and to support students' understanding of subject matter.
  • Developing and facilitating workshops on topics related to academic success.
  • Motivating students to take ownership of their own academic success.
  • Referring students to other services on campus such as counseling or other services. 

ONCE AN APPOINTMENT IS MADE

The Learning Specialist is here to assist you in defining your learning goals and creating individualized plans to reach your academic potential. Initial appointments with the Learning Specialist typically last 45-60 minutes. At the first appointment, the Learning Specialist will assess your current situation and recommend a success plan, which will be designed to help you develop effective learning strategies and/or self-management skills. Follow-up appointments are available as indicated and/or desired based on the work accomplished during the first session.

Prompt arrival for appointments is appreciated. Please notify your Learning Specialist if you will be late (call or e-mail).  If you must cance or reschedule your appointment, you can do this through the Student Self-Scheduling tool.  Changes made at least 24 -hours in advance lets other students take advantage of those appointment times. 

COSTS TO THE STUDENT

Appointments with the Learning Specialists are provided free of charge to all students of Midwestern University. These services are subsidized through student activity fees.

LEARNING SPECIALIST STAFF

Amy Woodbeck, M.Ed., has extensive experience in and knowledge of in adult education and the cognitive science of learning.  Amy is skilled at providing support to students in the areas of academics, communiction, and language.  Academic support focuses on enhancement of academic skill development and development of skills and strategies to apply in various learning situations.  Communication support focuses on interpersonal communication skills and the development of clinical communication skills.  Language support for English language learning students focuses on becoming actively articulate in the health professions.  Amy also has experience working with students challenged by such things as being on the Autism Spectrum, Dyslexia, and ADHD.

Dr. Mary Niemczyk, PhD, got her degree in Learning & Instructional Technology from Arizona State University.  Serving as a Learning Strategist, she assists students in learning how to become self-regulated learners.  Students learn how to be both actively and deeply engaged in their studying so that they can be successful in mastering course knowledge and skills.  Time management, study schedule development, note-taking and test-taking strategies are also discussed.  

Dr. Erin Appelt, P.T., D.P.T., co-coordinates the Interprofessional Health Care/One Health Core Course and provides one-on-one academic counseling. This involves discussing current study and test-taking strategies and developing a plan for improvement.  Examples might be: modeling how to concept map for a course, setting a specific study schedule, and using course objectives to confirm understanding of a topic.