Skip to main content
John Chambers College of
Business and Economics
About | Directory | WVU Home

Academic Success Consultations

Academic Success Consultations are the one-on-one process of helping you identify your academic strengths and needs. The Academic Success Coach will act as a guide throughout the semester and discuss content that aligns with the academic calendar. 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 from Academic Advising?

The goal of Academic Success Coaching meetings is to complement, rather than replace, the support provided by your academic advisor. Academic Success Coaching functions as a parallel support system to Academic Advising. Coaches collaborate with academic advisors to ensure students receive comprehensive guidance. When appropriate, coaches may invite the student’s advisor to join a meeting to consult on specific academic concerns. This collaborative approach helps students feel more supported while respecting the role of the academic advisor.

Why are Academic Success Consultations Important? 

Academic Success Consultations combine mentoring and role modeling. Your Academic Success Coach will support your progress by holding you accountable for your actions and reactions throughout the semester. During the initial meeting, the coach will work with you to develop a personalized plan aimed at fostering academic success. Subsequent meetings will serve as regular check-ins to reassess your plan while considering any unforeseen challenges and to proactively address potential future obstacles.

Academic Success Consultation Expectations

Academic Success Consultants:

  • Create an open and honest dialogue with you about previous academic success and difficulty.
  • Ask powerful questions to encourage self-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 you with developing an educational plan for successfully achieving your goals in courses in progress.
  • Encourage you 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 you.
  • 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 Academic Success Coach.
  • 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 your WVU MIX email and respond in a timely manner.
  • Respect that your Academic Success Coach does not have all the answers.
  • Be open and willing to consider other perspectives and try new strategies.
  • Reflect on your academic and career goals and progress and be open to honest discussion; share all assignment/exam grades.
  • Commit to meeting with your coach at least four times per semester.
  • Complete Mid-Year Academy and submit an Academic Standing Agreement.
  • Fulfill requirements from Academic Standing Agreement.

Meet your Academic Success Coach

Academic Success Coaches are professional, and paraprofessional (graduate level) staff trained using guidelines set forth by NACADA – The Global Community for Academic Advising. The Coaches 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.

Marlenea Brand 

Chambers Retention Specialist 
Marlenea.Brand@mail.wvu.edu

Mr. Jack Gaeger

Graduate Assistant for Student Retention and Persistence
jcg00013@mix.wvu.edu