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Academic coaching provides an opportunity for students to increase their ability to learn and benefit from what institutions and educators have to offer. Research has established a strong connection between student engagement and belonging and student persistence and achievement. The more students feel connected and cared about, the more likely they are to learn and to graduate. Coaching has emerged as a way to increase student-personnel connection in a uniquely non-judgemental space.
Even with the more established roles of instructor, advisor, counsellor, tutor, and peer mentor in place, students can still fall through the cracks, and one of the most significant functions of academic coaching is to fill those cracks. Coaches can connect with students at times and in ways that support and augment other roles. As coaching increases the student-personnel connection, helping the student feel supported and engaged, it drives retention, a central goal for any institution. The research on coaching thus far has found that coaching increases connection and persistence that then drives retention and student achievement. And additionally, coaching can be a more cost-effective way for institutions to drive retention than other less engagement-focused interventions, such as financial aid.
Student persistence and retention are a major challenge for educators and higher education institutions. At the most basic level, students need to stay enrolled and engaged in order to learn, to graduate, and subsequently to benefit as workers and citizens from both the learning and the degree attainment.
One of the most significant factors in whether students feel engaged and have a sense of belonging is the level of connection to college personnel. Even given the established roles of instructor, advisor, counsellor, tutor, and/or peer mentor in place, cracks have emerged through which students can fall.
Academic coaching is a relatively new approach. It does not sit naturally within any particular role or job description. However, as an approach, it has wide applicability.
Discussions
What do you think are the key challenges of academic coaching in your context?
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