"

Academic Coaching for Online, Hybrid, and FlexFORWARD Students

Academic coaching is available for students taking classes in online, hybrid, and FlexFORWARD course formats.

An Academic Coach is someone who is there to support a student’s overall success.

  • Building on academic skills such as time management, study tips, exam prep, note taking methods, and strategies to improve motivation
  • Teaching how to navigate courses in Talon
  • Helping understand college policies and expectations
  • Working on goal setting, problem solving, and accountability
  • Providing information and connection to any resources or necessary support services
  • Meeting on a regular basis for progress check-ins and ongoing support through the semester

More information can be found here.

Location: Main campus- Cedar Rapids

Modalities: online/virtual call, in-person

Rubric for Evaluation

Rating Scale:

    • 3 – Excellent. This resource goes above and beyond in this area.
    • 2 – Adequate. Efforts are being made but more could be done to make it more accessible.
    • 1 – Insufficient. This resource is not accessible in this way.
    • N/A – not applicable for this resource.
Current Use/Reflection Notes
Who is the target audience for this resource?  Online, hybrid, and FlexForward students. Flex students are required to meet with their coach and are automatically assigned. We have 60+ students in the program.

For online/ hybrid students it is optional, and outreach is provided to 2,000+ students per semester. We currently have about 2-300 students who engage at any given point.
What are the services being offered by the resource?  Offers 1:1 check-ins and support for guidance and problem solving, connection to other resources, accountability, time management, and assistance with building on any needed academic skills.
Are there known barriers or stigma that may prevent students from accessing the resource? Hesitation in meeting with an Academic Coach could come from shame or guilt if the student is behind or having trouble but doesn’t want to share that. Lack of awareness of our support could also be an issue for online/hybrid students as we cannot reach out to all.
Is there any data available regarding student perceptions/use of this resource? For Flex, usage is at 100% of current students, and anecdotally student perceptions are positive.

For online/ hybrid we have completed end-of-semester surveys the last several semesters with 98% of the 2023 fall respondents having positive reviews of the proactive outreach and coaching support.

We are currently working on creating another survey to allow for immediate feedback after a coaching session.

Rating Notes
Physical Accessibility
Is the physical location accessible to the student population it serves? 2.5 Primarily meet over Zoom with students, but office space for in-person meetings is available on Main Campus.
Are the resource’s visual images adequate in clearly communicating services, etc.? 2 Have online information on website which clearly communicates services but nothing physical apart from a flyer hanging up outside office.
Wayfinding signage leading to the resource is visible, high contrast, and easy to identify. 1.5 Now has signage only in Linn Hall directing students to AISD but not to Academic Coaching. Can really only be found via invitation or knowing in advance where to go.
Scheduling/Time Accessibility
Do the resource hours and timing of programming meet student needs? 2.5 Scheduled by appointment at a time convenient to the student via Zoom, phone, or in-person. Not a lot of opportunity for walk-in support or calls to be taken without an appointment depending on the day given there is only one coach per area.
Does the resource offer an on-demand option for face-to-face and online students? 2.5 Yes, we have a Pressbook readily available with additional resources, all of which is emailed to the student and linked to on our webpage.
Do students have the ability to easily self-schedule at a time convenient for them? 3 Yes, both coaches use Calendly for convenience. Offer appointments weekdays 8am-5pm but have the option to schedule outside that if requested ahead of time.
Digital Accessibility
Are available online resources easy to locate and user-friendly? 2.5 Are available online on webpage, through Pressbook. Are searchable and accessible.
Are necessary print resources available in digital formats? 3 Yes, primary format is digital.
Collaboration Support
Does the resource help students communicate, collaborate, work, or share information about  academic content? N/A Will facilitate student interaction with faculty if needed, but do not interact with other students using this resource.
Multilingual Accessibility
Does the resource currently provide or have access to translation tools  or reference materials in commonly spoken languages by Kirkwood ELLs? 2 Not readily available in multiple languages but have the capability to translate materials as needed or show student how to do so.
Does the resource use clear language and avoid jargon? 2.5 Readily explains meaning of an Academic Coach and have material explaining difference between a coach and an advisor. Materials strive to be simple and have an accessible reading level for understanding.
Feedback 
Is there a system in place for students and staff to provide feedback on services? 2 Feedback surveys collected at end of semester for online/hybrid students to gain understanding on timing, outreach preferences, quality of support provided, and on additional feedback. Working on implementing a new survey for after each coaching session.

Flex does not have a formal assessment opportunity specific to their coaching.
Is there a process for periodic reviews of the resource and ongoing improvement? 2.5 Quarterly and annual review of the programs.

Flex currently has monthly meetings with our team for ongoing support of program expansion.
Inclusivity
Does the resource actively engage with traditionally underserved populations? 2 Yes, we are very inclusive of underserved and nontraditional populations, but marketing and outreach does not specifically target. Could be an area for opportunity.
Does the resource take measures to ensure traditionally underserved populations feel welcome? 2.5 Language in materials is considered to ensure welcoming approach for all. Intentional to use preferred names and pronouns.
Are there events and activities that promote inclusivity? N/A Do not hold events but could be an opportunity for growth if we expanded more to support in-person students.
Are staff trained in cultural competence and inclusivity? 2 Have completed mental health, unconscious bias, and other similar trainings.

Could be an area of opportunity to set a recommended practice for ongoing professional development.
Communication/Marketing
Which channels of communication are used to share services/programs 2.5 Via targeted email, through faculty, and in Talon. Not shared more widely due to limited availability of coach support.
Is there a proactive strategy in place to ensure students and faculty are aware of resource materials/events/opportunities? 3 Yes, reach out each semester to remind faculty in each department of support option for online/ hybrid. Email and text students who are identified as needing support through non-attendance, inactivity, low online GPA, or advisor/faculty referral.

All students in Flex program are reached out to each semester to set up check ins.
Does the resource market itself to students appropriately? 2.5 Could continue to find more partnerships and opportunities to collaborate across campus as coaching expands.
Academic Resource: Action Steps and Recommendations
  • Will continue to develop and implement an ongoing survey for better opportunity for immediate student feedback and follow up following a coaching session.
  • Ongoing work to strengthen internal documentation and processes for Flex.
  • Would like to improve assessment strategies to plan for recommended growth possibilities for all academic coaching.
  • Will continue to strengthen on-demand resource options for students to access on their own.
  • Will continue to work on improving collaboration between departments to find ways to support each other while supporting our shared students.
Institutional Action Steps
  • Student feedback has requested on several occasions that academic coaching be expanded to also be for students in in-person classes and to have in-person workshops. Would recommend considering how academic coaching could be expanded to include support for each program area, to be able to provide this type of academic support for all students.
  • Recommend signage to be updated for campus to indicate location of coaches when possible. If expansion is possible, need to create a timeline for that and consider where any additional coaches (part or full time) may be housed.

Consider the expansion of Academic Coaching and the opportunities this could provide for student success. If we invested in an Academic Coach per program area to serve all students regardless of course modality, this could provide a way for them to build on their academic skills and build a relationship/ buy-in so they are more open to being referred to other resources such as study support or program specific help. Academic Coaching is a solution to providing individual support based on the student needs and if approached correctly can help reduce stigma for support due to the proactive nature of outreach and also has the opportunity to build stronger ties to campus. Providing this service to everyone would also help close gaps and give students who don’t qualify for a specific program (TRIO, KPACE, etc.) a place to go for additional academic support.

License

Increasing Awareness of and Access to Academic Resources Copyright © 2023 by rbiderman. All Rights Reserved.

Share This Book