• Who We Are

    Academic Peer Instruction (API) is a peer program modeled after a nationally recognized Supplemental Instruction (SI) program. We are proud to say that API has helped students succeed in their courses at LaGuardia since 1993. It is free to all students enrolled in "high-risk" API – linked courses.

    The program's mission is to improve students' academic performance in high-risk courses and foster independent learning to prepare students to become high-performing students in future courses.





    Join Our Team


    The API program will be accepting applications from Monday, May 1st – Tuesday, June 27 for the 2023-2024 academic year. Below, you can find a description of the Academic Peer Instructor (API) position, roles, responsibilities, and the requirements to become an API leader.




  • Become an API Leader


    Our Application is open for the 2023-2024 academic year!


    • Your GPA is 3.0 or above
    • You completed a "high risk" or challenging course and received a grade of B+ or better
    • You can devote about 10 hours a week of your time to help others

      • Please email your current resume or CV, most recent unofficial transcript (obtained through your CUNYfirst account) and one letter of recommendation to API@lagcc.cuny.edu.
    • Develop leadership skills
    • Strengthen your knowledge in the subject you tutor
    • Enjoy the good feeling of having helped other students improve their grades
    • Join a community of other excellent students - API Leaders
    • Gain valuable teaching/tutoring experience and strengthen your self-confidence - many of our leaders have successfully transferred to top colleges thanks to their role as API leaders
    • Be paid for your efforts
    • If you are hired, you will be contacted by the API team via phone and email
    • You will need to choose a section and fill out the paperwork with human resources
    • You will need to attend two days of training before the semester starts to learn about how the program runs
    • When the semester starts, you will choose tutoring hours that match your schedule and your student's schedule
    • You will attend all of our weekly training meetings to work on professional development and troubleshooting
    • Have fun helping your fellow students succeed in a course you did well in
  • Students sitting around a table







  • How Does API Work?


    API aims to pair high-performing students with students enrolled in high-risk courses and, through this collaboration, foster independent learning. We arm our tutors with techniques to facilitate their student's learning experience and tailor their review of the material to different methods and preferences.

    API is modeled after an internationally recognized program called Supplemental Instruction (SI), which takes a non-remedial approach to learning by integrating "what to learn" with "how to learn." Traditionally SI consists of regularly scheduled, voluntary, out-of-class group study sessions. Sessions are facilitated by trained peer leaders who utilize collaborative activities to ensure peer-to-peer interaction in small groups.

    SI is not peer tutoring; instead, the SI model was adapted to fit new, potentially best practices that serve the complex needs of the LaGuardia College student population. As an Academic Peer leader, you are expected to:

    • Audit class hours to connect with students and take notes
    • Provide voluntary, out-of-class tutoring sessions
    • Attend weekly check-in and weekly group training
    • Prepare Topics for your session

    We hire students before the start of a semester and provide a pre-semester and weekly check-in and training during the semester in collaborative learning techniques. All tutors are observed and mentored throughout the semester. Since all of our tutors start as LaGuardia students, they know their students' needs.


    • MAT 115, MAT 120, MAT 200, MAT 201, MAT 231
    • BTA 111, BTA 112
    • SCB 201, SCB 202, SCB 203, SCB 204
    • SCC 110, SCC 201, SCP 231
    • SCR 110, SCR 210
    • MAC 101, MAC 125, MAC 190
    • MAE 213





  • Contact Us

       Room E-115Q 
      718-482-5215 
      API@lagcc.cuny.edu


    Program Coordinators

    Julian Adames-Ng
    Co-Director & Lecturer, Department of Mathematics, Engineering, and Computer Science
    Dr. Reem Jaafar
    Professor, Department of Mathematics, Engineering, and Computer Science Co-PI and Director of Research, Evaluation & Program Support (Queens STEM Academy)

    Program Assistants

    Md Abidur Mollah
    Ivana kragul