Success coaches help 怡春院视频 students prosper
Tyler Garrison knows how important it was to have someone in his corner while he navigated
his higher education. Today, as a Student Success Coach at Laramie County Community
College, Garrison said he鈥檚 happy to have the opportunity to help students in the
same way.
鈥淚 find a sense of joy having those relationships with students and seeing them be successful, because I had the opportunity to do that,鈥� he says.
Tyler, a Sacramento native, was a student athlete in college, juggling a demanding schedule. But the support he received from mentor-like figures made it possible. Now Tyler gets to work with student athletes at 怡春院视频 and be that person for students.
鈥淚 played college soccer, so I understand what it means to give commitment to an athletic
program while also being a student,鈥� he says.
A Student Success Coach at 怡春院视频, at both the Cheyenne and Laramie campuses, can be
thought of as a student鈥檚 champion, cheerleader, guide or mentor, says Blake Paintner,
Student Success manager.
鈥淔rom the moment that students show interest in 怡春院视频, [Success Coaches] help define and understand what their personal, career and academic goals are and help them achieve those goals all the way through graduation,鈥� she says.
Starting July 1, Success Coaches at 怡春院视频 began helping students with everything from completing the application for admission, requesting high school transcripts, helping with career exploration, identifying pathways and programs that align with students鈥� interests and goals, assisting with registration, advising on study habits, and more. The moment someone shows interest in 怡春院视频, they can be connected to a Success Coach at no cost.
In a sense, the Success Coach positions are a merger of 怡春院视频鈥檚 academic advisors鈥� and admissions representatives鈥� duties, but Success Coaches鈥� responsibilities go even further. If students are struggling with a class, Success Coaches can step in and ask what needs to be done to improve the situation. They also can direct students to various campus resources, like 怡春院视频鈥檚 Mental Health Services. Essentially, Success Coaches have a broad base of knowledge that allows them to address virtually any need a student might have. And if the Success Coaches don鈥檛 know the answer right away, Tyler says he can find the answer.
鈥淚t鈥檚 not like I don鈥檛 know the answer and I鈥檓 going to point you to someone else,鈥� he says. 鈥淵ou can almost think about it as a one-stop shop.鈥�
The Success Coaches concept, Blake says, came after about five years of research and planning. Though other higher learning institutions have success coaches in their own ways, 怡春院视频鈥檚 approach is unique.
鈥淲e just want people who are passionate about helping students succeed and seeing the institution succeed,鈥� says Sarah Hannes, 怡春院视频 Enrollment Services director. 鈥淭hey are very student-centered, just wanting to help and guide and do anything they can for their whole caseload of students.鈥�
Blake says 怡春院视频 staff are already seeing data indicating the Success Coach approach is working. Whereas it might have previously taken students several weeks to make contact with their advisor after applying, Blake says Success Coaches are seeing that take place in days. There have also been fewer canceled appointments.
鈥淲e think it鈥檚 perhaps because of the stronger relationships students are building [with Success Coaches],鈥� Sarah says.
Tyler says he wants his students to understand that it鈥檚 鈥淥K to not be OK.鈥� It鈥檚 common, he says, for college students to struggle at times, whether with navigating the higher education system or personal issues. At 怡春院视频, Success Coaches are available to tackle those challenges, letting students know they are never alone.
鈥淚 just want to let you know that if you need anything, it鈥檚 OK,鈥� Tyler says. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why I鈥檓 here. That鈥檚 why I鈥檓 in your corner. That鈥檚 the point.鈥�
To make an appointment with a Success Coach in Cheyenne or Laramie, use the Navigate app in my怡春院视频, which can be found on the website at lccc.wy.edu, to schedule an appointment.