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Academic Success Consultations

Academic Success Consultations are the one-on-one process of helping a student identify their study strengths and needs and assisting them in building general transferable skills for use throughout their academic career and beyond. These meetings will provide students with academic support in areas such as time management, goal setting, forming positive habits and professional development.

How are Academic Success Consultations different than Academic Advising?

Academic Advisors support students by helping build class schedules and track progress towards a degree completion. Academic Advisors will also help students navigate academic struggles and can help provide support with instructor and professor issues. While Academic Advisors and ASCs do work closely together, ASCs do not assist students with course selection or major declaration. They do make referrals to the advising team as needed.

Why are Academic Success Consultations Important? 

Academic Success Consultations combine mentoring and role modeling.
Through one-on-one consultations, students engage in challenging and holistic conversations. These conversations help students articulate their SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely) goals, explore their strengths, strengthen problem solving skills, create an academic improvement plan and improve self-efficacy.

Academic Success Consultation Expectations

Academic Success Consultants:

  • Create an open and honest dialogue with students about previous academic success and difficulty.
  • Ask powerful questions to encourage student reflection and thought.
  • Make use of referrals to campus resources as needed.
  • Utilize current university technology for academic planning, student data, meeting notes, consultation appointment campaigns, student communication and holistic case management (early alert, tutoring, referrals, etc.)
  • Assist students with developing an educational plan for successfully achieving their goals in courses in progress.
  • Encourage students to utilize the resources and services on campus to assist you in achieving your academic, personal, and career goals.
  • Will be able to: define “academic probation,” “academic notice”, “academic suspension” and the consequences of these for students.
  • Will maintain confidentiality pursuant to FERPA.

Students participating in Academic Success Consultations are expected to:

  • Attend regular appointments and make regular email and phone contact with their assigned ASC.
  • Come prepared for each appointment with questions or material for discussion.
  • Be an active learner by participating fully in the advising experience.
  • Ask questions if you do not understand an issue or have a specific concern.
  • Gather all relevant decision-making information.
  • Become knowledgeable about college programs, policies, and procedures.
  • Accept responsibility for your decisions.
  • Check their WVU MIX email and respond in a timely manner.
  • Respect that their Academic Success Consultant does not have all the answers.
  • Be open and willing to consider other perspectives and try new strategies.
  • Reflect on their academic and career goals and progress and be open to honest discussion; share all assignment/exam grades.
  • Commit to meeting with their coach at least two-four times per semester depending on their Academic Resilience Track.
  • Complete Mid-Year Academy and submit an Academic Standing Agreement.
  • Fulfill requirements from Academic Standing Agreement.

Meet your Academic Success Consultant

Academic Success Consultants are professional, and paraprofessional (graduate level) staff trained using guidelines set forth by NACADA – The Global Community for Academic Advising. The Consultants draw from elements using the best high impact practices, allowing them to provide student centered support. Coaches explore a variety of success strategies to develop an individualized approach to holistically support each student's needs. Please view the team below.

Dr. Rachel Nieman | She/Her/Hers

Director Recruitment & Retention, Director Becker Academic Engagement Success Center 
Rachel.Nieman@mail.wvu.edu

Mr. Micah Reed | He/Him/His

Retention Specialist, Adjunct Lecturer
micah.reed@mail.wvu.edu 

Ms. Kristen McMillen | She, Her, Hers

Graduate Assistant for Student Retention and Persistence
kmm00029@mix.wvu.edu