In January, a Binghamton University junior founded STEMCore Tutoring, a student-run tutoring service, to provide one-on-one supplemental teaching for high school and college students.

Founded by Liam Spiro, a junior majoring in biology, STEMCore provides one-on-one tutoring services for high school and college students. The organization is committed to providing foundational skills and problem-solving confidence.

Currently, STEMCore employs 12 University students as tutors in chemistry, biological sciences and mathematics. Spiro’s inspiration behind the business came from his goal to create a space for individualized learning and bridge the gap from tutoring services provided on campus to the Greater Binghamton area.

“I was inspired to build STEMCore because I have been tutoring students 1-on-1 for years, and I wanted to build a platform that could connect even more students with the individualized academic support they need,” Spiro wrote to Pipe Dream. “While there are already tutoring resources on campus, I found that generalized/communal tutoring settings do not work for every student. Some students learn best through individualized, interactive sessions where the tutor can adapt to their learning style and pace, and focus on the exact material they are covering in class to build lessons around their needs.”

As the team has grown, the business has provided tutoring services for over 30 students and expanded job opportunities for Binghamton students to work as tutors.

This month, STEMCore will donate 10 percent of its income from its sessions to the University’s chapter of the American Cancer Society.

Spiro explained that giving back is one of his core values and motivated his decision to donate a portion of the business’ profits. The choice to donate to the American Cancer Society was important to him, as he has personal experience with the disease.

“I decided to work with the American Cancer Society because cancer has impacted many people so significantly, including my own family,” Spiro wrote. “My grandfather was diagnosed with late-stage esophageal cancer, and I am incredibly grateful he is still with us today. That made this partnership meaningful to me. I also know ACS does such a great job raising awareness and contributing to help those in need. Even though STEMCore is still growing, I strongly believe that if you are in a position to help others in need, even if it’s small, you should.”

The American Cancer Society was founded in New York City and has operated for over a century with a vision of ending cancer. With collaboration from students and faculty, the University’s ACS chapter works with the community on cancer advocacy. The chapter works with on- and off-campus organizations to engage with the community and raise awareness.

“Working with STEMCore has been a positive experience, it has been great to collaborate with a student-run company that’s not only focused on academic success, but also committed to giving back to the community,” the Executive Board of the University’s American Cancer Society chapter wrote to Pipe Dream. “Their decision to donate part of their proceeds to the American Cancer Society here at Binghamton shows a genuine effort to support a cause that impacts so many people!”

In the future, Spiro hopes to continue working with charitable organizations and help students both become tutors and receive the tutoring necessary to succeed.

“The next goals for STEMCore are to continue expanding our reach, help students build confidence in their classes and grades, and create new job opportunities for Binghamton students,” Spiro wrote. “While achieving these goals are important, we are going to maintain the high-quality individualized support that makes us so unique. Lastly, it is really important to me that STEMCore provides meaningful work for students and gives them opportunities beyond the typical minimum-wage college job.”