The document discusses the important role that academic professionals play in supporting student success both inside and outside of the classroom. It states that faculty and staff set expectations, motivate students, guide them towards achieving their goals, help overcome obstacles, and forge lasting connections between students and the institution. Additionally, the document emphasizes that student success relies on effective communication between different support areas to provide a positive student experience. It also explores how insights from student support services can help improve academic programs and tailor interactions and content for incoming students. Finally, it recommends several best practices for academic professionals to support all students, such as reinforcing identity and purpose, being proactive, encouraging engagement, and providing consistent feedback.

1. The role of academic professionals in
non-academic student success matters
Confidential © InsideTrack
1

2. Faculty and academic staff play a critical role in the non-academic
lives of students
Academic professionals support their non-academic peers in:
• Setting expectations around student attitudes and behaviors
• Motivating students to live up to their potential
• Guiding students on the path to achieving their goals
• Assisting students in overcoming obstacles
• Demonstrating the institution’s level of caring / attention to students’ needs
• Providing a two-way communication mechanism for issues related to the student
experience
• Forging lasting connections between students and the institution
• Building the institution's reputation and brand
Confidential © InsideTrack 2

3. Student success relies heavily on effective communication
It’s critical that everyone is on the same page:
InsideTrack
Coaching
Financial
Aid
Onboarding
& Orientation
How do these
areas fit together
to create a positive,
cohesive student
experience?
Brand /
School
community
Career
Preparation
Interventions &
Support
Advising
Process
Instructional
quality &
support
Course
design &
sequencing
Are we communicating critical
information to students
proactively, at the right time, in
a way that they can receive
and understand the
information?
Are we communicating a clear
and consistent set of values
and beliefs that will focus and
motivate students?
Are we communicating
effectively internally,
supporting each other and
sharing ideas?
Confidential © InsideTrack 3

4. Academic professionals should contribute to and benefit
from the prospective student experience
• Help define what makes students a strong fit for the institution and vice-versa
• Support admissions representatives in effectively setting expectations with
incoming students
• Assist in the process of preparing new students (academically and non-academically)
for a strong start
• Leverage information gathered during the admissions process to tailor
interactions and content
Confidential © InsideTrack 4

5. Academic programs can also benefit from insights gathered
through student support services
Here are a few examples of actual issues raised by students in conversations
with advisors, coaches and other support staff
• Students appreciate the support and guidance
provided by their academic advisors
• Professor X’s students provide positive
feedback about communication with her
(calling and emailing them directly)
• Students find the orientation workshops on
basic student skills, learning styles and career
planning extremely helpful
• Students say that having everyone receive
proactive support reduces the feeling of shame
associated with asking for help if they are
struggling
• The variability in pace of courses makes it
hard for students to maintain steady habits
around studying
• Students lack clear expectations of how often
to reach out to their professors, and how
quickly they should expect to hear back from
them
• When starting classes many students are
unclear of their financial aid status and how
they will pay for school
• Students in class X struggle with expectations
and resources for the class
• Students are very appreciative of the new
tutoring center
Confidential © InsideTrack 5

6. Student success is about more than academics
It is important for
academic professionals
to be conversant in all
aspects of student
success
School
Community
Academics
Career
Managing
Commitments
Effectiveness
Commitment
to Graduation
Finances
Health &
Support
Confidential © InsideTrack 6

7. Each student has different needs
It is critical to view students as individuals combining a variety of
demographic and psychographic qualities, cognitive and non-cognitive
abilities
Confidential © InsideTrack 7

8. There are some best practices that support all students
Reinforce identity and purpose – What does it mean to be a student at this institution?
What is the value of this degree to this student?
Be proactive – Set the goal of having at least one 1:1 conversation with every student,
even if it is 20 seconds to let them know you care.
Encourage engagement – Directly connect students with support resources. Reinforce
the value of non-academic services.
Provide feedback early and often – Share insights on new students with advisors,
administrators and others early in each term. Also give students a clear picture of where
they stand early enough for them to act on it.
Strive for consistency – Coordinate with advisors, financial aid officers and others to
ensure that students receive clear, consistent communication.
Consider non-academic goals in course design – How do courses connect students to
the institution, their long-term goals, each other?
Confidential © InsideTrack 8

9. InsideTrack works with you to implement a system for
continuous improvement
Increase enrollment, retention and graduation by 15%.
• 1:1 coaching for prospective and enrolled students
• Actionable insights on student perceptions and needs
• Systems to ensure measurement and accountability
InsideTrack is the only college dropout
prevention initiative to meet WWC evidence
standards
Confidential © InsideTrack 9

10. Unlocking human potential since 2001
insidetrack.com programs@insidetrack.com
@insidetrack linkedin.com/company/insidetrack
Confidential © InsideTrack 10