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TimelyCare Student Success Coaching Q&A
With Dr. Nicole Guerrero Trevino
Vice President for Student Success
Tell us about your career journey and dedication to student success in higher education.
I am a first-generation college student, whose parents instilled from a very young age the importance of a college education. My parents were very committed to ensuring that my sister and I had the opportunity to pursue an education.
I attended St. Edward’s University where I studied psychology and was involved in various student organizations throughout my time on campus. I thoroughly enjoyed these experiences and in my junior year, I learned that I could pursue a career in higher education. Post-graduation, I started working in Residence Life and enrolled in the graduate program completing a Masters in Human Services and a certificate in conflict resolution. I quickly learned that Res Life was not for me, but I enjoyed Student Affairs work and engaging with students, so I moved into the Dean of Students Office, where I worked for the next 11 years. In this office, I directed the Student Conduct program and managed several of our transitional programs such as New Student Orientation for Students and Parents, Parents Weekend, Welcome Days, Student Service Days and several others.
In 2012, I had the opportunity to move into a newly created role serving as the Director of University Retention Programs, where I worked with the University President on institutional strategies related to student success and retention. In 2014, the position was elevated to Associate Vice President for Student Success in Academic Affairs. In this role, I led out on the creation and implementation of the student success coaching model and the creation of the Student Success Center, which included Academic Counseling and Support Programs, Career and Professional Development, Academic Support, International Student Services, Disability Services, the College Assistance Migrant Program, and Study Abroad. Throughout my time in Academic Affairs I was responsible for leading out on strategic priorities for the University related to student success, retention, career outcomes, etc..
During this time, I completed my PhD, which was important in order to continue growing professionally and personally and today, I am proud to say that I am part of the 1% of Latina women that have obtained a doctoral degree. I am deeply committed to serving college students. I was fortunate to have mentors throughout my life that supported and encouraged me along the way to keep growing and learning and it’s because I had some many amazing people cheering me on along the way that I continue to do the work that I do in support of student success. I understand the impact that we (educators) can have on today’s generation of college learners.
These opportunities have provided me with a wealth of experiences and knowledge that will assist me in the role of Vice President for Student Success at TimelyCare. I am deeply committed to the mission and vision of TimelyCare and excited to expand my work in student success with the opportunity to impact students across the nation.
Why are we seeing a growing demand for student success resources in higher education?
I believe this is attributed to a combination of factors. Many of our college-aged students have been impacted by the pandemic in a variety of ways. As a result, there is a greater need for student success services and resources. Students are entering college underprepared from an academic standpoint and need an additional layer of support to be successful inside and outside of the classroom. This looks different across the student population, for some they did not learn or practice those basic skills such as time management, study strategies, reading techniques, etc.. For others they missed the opportunity to hold a first job and are often embarking on this milestone experience when they arrive on campus. As a result, they often need support navigating the work environment, building their resumes and preparing for interviews. And,finances remain a top concern for college students, many are struggling to fill their financial aid gap and need assistance navigating the financial aid world and locating resources
Other aspects that impact student success include technology, there are new technology tools being introduced regularly, this often makes it difficult for students to know how to navigate and when to utilize.
There is a national focus on the value of higher education, including cost and outcomes. As a result, institutions are focused on increasing student retention and graduation rates and looking at career outcomes. Many institutions have prioritized their career outcomes over the last year and are focused on working with students to become career ready and build their resumes before they leave college. In addition, many universities are working to develop partnerships with companies in their areas.
Success Coaching is critical for student success
What success resources have you seen as particularly helpful and effective?
Having an integrated and coordinated effort around student success is what makes success resources effective. These resources might live under one umbrella, such as the Student Success Center which houses many of the support services. Some of the most useful resources:
- Early Alert Systems to Identify Struggling Students
- Success Coaching Support Staff
- Career Pathways Plans
- Career Coaching
- Targeted interventions
- Resource Awareness Campaigns
- Peer Supplemental Instruction
- First Year Seminars
TimelyCare now offers Student Success Coaching – an industry first integrated care and coaching experience. Who are success coaches, and what training do they receive?
Our success coaches hold bachelor’s degrees in various fields. They participate in extensive training focused on:
- Success coaching frameworks
- Student success techniques focused on three pillars – academic preparedness, financial wellness, and career readiness
- Strategies for supporting various populations (i.e.. international students, athletes, first-generation students, undergraduate and graduate students, etc.)
- Supporting to college learner, with a particular focus on Gen Z
Why is the focus on academic preparedness, financial wellness, and career readiness?
Based on research, best practices, student survey data and the work that has been done by TimelyCare we know that these are the three areas that students are most in need of assistance with.
For example, in a recent nationwide survey of more than 1,100 college students, all but 5% say they face significant challenges to reaching their fullest potential. Mental health remains their most common challenge by far (60%), followed by financial (43%), physical health (37%), academic (36%), social / belonging (27%), career readiness (20%) and basic needs insecurity (16%). Broadening our comprehensive suite of services to include success coaching resources focused on the three pillars of academic preparedness, financial wellness and career readiness means that students can turn to TimelyCare to help them cope with additional resources to help them achieve their goals in the classroom and in life.
When should a college or university consider adding virtual student success coaches?
Student Success Coaching is an extension of campus resources. Schools should consider adding this service to their current TimelyCare package if they are looking for ways to meet the needs of their students whenever, wherever and however they need assistance. And, it’s a great opportunity to provide an additional layer of support for faculty and staff that are stretched in so many ways and often feeling burned out.
Beyond completing courses and programs, how should we evaluate student success in higher education?
Student success can be defined in different ways by colleges and universities, students, and parents.
Colleges and universities most often measure success by tracking institutional metrics, such as:
- Retention rates (year over year, and first-year students)
- Graduation rates (4-year and 6-year)
Persistence rates (semester to semester) - GPA (semester and cumulative)
- Academic hours accumulated each semester, year, and towards degree
Students, on the other hand, may measure their success by remaining healthy, passing a class, completing the semester in good standing, etc. When we surveyed students to learn how they measure their success in college, GPA (59%), greater knowledge / what they learned (54%), and graduating or completing their course of study (53%) topped the list. Themes of career readiness, effort and hard work, financial stability, personal growth, and well-being were also common.
Parents might measure success through student outcomes data, meaning what jobs will be available to my student(s) post-graduation, what their salary will be post-graduation, and their likelihood of getting into graduate schools.
Given that student success has both quantitative and qualitative measures, it’s never been more important to provide students with the resources they need to achieve their own personal version of success.
Learn how TimelyCare Student Success Coaching supplements campus resources and expands access to help students excel.
