In an unprecedented move to ensure student success, Columbus State University is investing more than $4 million to hire more than 40 academic and career “coaches” over the next calendar year. This will upgrade the university’s ability to guide students on their academic and professional journey.

Under this new model—comparable to only a few other universities in the country—these new coaches will be recruited at a competitive salary, trained to be International Coaching Federation-certified, and paired with students for the duration of their college career. The approach originates from the university's engagement with the National Institute for Student Success, which is helping Columbus State improve its student success, retention and graduation rates

Academic advising roles at many universities are often entry-level jobs, sometimes leading to higher turnover rates. At Columbus State, staff advisors have traditionally supported students in selecting and understanding their majors and supporting them as they register for courses during their first two years of enrollment. As students progress more deeply into their majors during their final upperclassman years, faculty members have taken on the advising role to provide more specialized guidance within their disciplines. This new academic success coaching model will take this responsibility off the faculty, allowing faculty to concentrate on their teaching and research responsibilities.

“We meant it when we said we were going to upgrade our ability to guide our students toward success,” said President Stuart Rayfield. “Academic advisors are the most front-line staff members for college students. They ensure students take the right courses toward their major so they can graduate on time. By upgrading these roles with additional training and certifications, we can better help students in their academic journey—and in their personal and professional dreams.”

Benefits of this new coaching model for students include:

• Personalized support: coaching models help students develop self-determination and build skills that will help them succeed.

• Goal-orientation: coaching models help students set and achieve specific goals.

• Empowerment: coaching models help students develop critical thinking skills and find their own solutions.

• Consistency: coaching models help ensure that all students receive equitable support.

• Improved communication: coaching models help improve communication between students and their advisors. 

Academic coaches will build long-lasting relationships with undergraduate students assigned to them through the entirety of their Columbus State enrollment. This will include providing students with personalized guidance in selecting the right courses for their major, maximizing academic support resources to help ensure their success, and staying on track so students graduate on time. 

Student success is the number one priority in Columbus State’s new strategic plan. Choosing a coaching model for advising provides students with holistic, individualized support to address their academic, social and personal needs. This approach, says Dr. Melissa Young, assistant vice president for student success, results in higher undergraduate retention, progression and graduation rates.

“We’re thrilled about the difference our new coaches will make in students’ lives—helping them stay on track, reach their academic goals and earn their degrees,” Young (pictured) said. “This coaching-based advising model is a key piece of our larger vision to enhance student success at Columbus State.”

Young said a professional coaching model also improves the effectiveness of advising staff, who will now be “academic success coaches.” This concept will allow coaches to build long-lasting relationships with students as they walk alongside them throughout their college experience.

UNIFYING ACADEMIC SUCCESS, CAREER READINESS 

Academic success coaches will work in conjunction with career success coaches, who will play a key role in ensuring all students are career-ready when they graduate. These coaches will provide students with one-on-one career coaching, career planning and resources to guide them from their first year through graduation and beyond. They will specialize in specific academic areas as they work alongside academic coaches to ensure students are career-ready upon graduation by, among other goals, connecting them with internships and industry professionals.

“Each of these career coaches will have a specialty area related to one of our specific academic focus areas: fine and performing arts, social sciences, business, education, health professions, humanities, STEM and more,” said Shana Young, Columbus State’s associate vice president for community engagement. “Each coach will work collaboratively with our faculty, staff and industry professionals to connect students with career opportunities, internships, experiential learning opportunities and relevant career events.”

After the University of Kentucky implemented a similar coaching model on its campus, officials observed that approximately 92% of its Fall 2021 student cohort who attended at least one coaching appointment were retained during the spring semester.

Columbus State plans to hire seven new career coaches and 20 academic coaches this spring, with another 20 academic coaches added next academic year. More information about these career opportunities is available on the university's online employment portal.