Oak Foundation 141d ago

Across two counties, Durham Tech’s seven campuses welcome 18,000 students from all education and life experiences. They can study both credentialled courses and continuing education classes in everything from arts to tech, designed to lead to further education or more fulfilling, living-wage jobs. It's part of the state’s 58-strong network of community colleges, which ensures no-one is more than 50 miles from the opportunity of further education. This ‘open-door’ admissions policy creates a diverse student community, whose success depends on equally diverse support. That’s where the holistic, person-centred approach of Success Coaching comes in. Eight success coaches advise students throughout their time at Durham Tech. Their tailored approach helps students to align their everyday actions to short- and long-term goals for their academic, professional, and personal development. “The success coach serves as a mentor, guide, and venting point for any student,” says Dr Abe Dones, VP and Chief of Student Services. “We ensure students have what they need and help eliminate any barriers to pursuing their academic dreams.” People can come to Success Coaching at any time, but their first contact is often the free Summer Success Academy. Here, prospective students learn the steps to a successful college experience. They explore guided career pathways, meet teaching staff, get support with financial aid and wraparound services, and have a taste of campus life before term starts. The Success Coaching Framework ensures students move through the curriculum and connect with job opportunities in their chosen fields. From enrolment and studying, to keeping them on course with goal-setting, planning, and practical resources, as well as helping students manage the transition to university or a career, coaches are there for every stage. Coaches bring a deep knowledge of the college and wider community, which helps them connect students to outside resources – such as childcare or housing assistance – and the in-college network of tutors, clubs, and events that make the college experience successful and fulfilling. Oak supports Success Coaching at Durham Tech through our Special Interest Programme. Find out more here: https://oakfnd.org/programmes/special-interest/ and here: https://www.durhamtech.edu/student-services/success-coaching