How online graduate students do it all: ASU online student success coaching

The decision to pursue a graduate degree is not one that any student takes lightly, and certainly not students who decide to pursue their education through the ASU Online modality. Over the last 10 years, the explosion of online learning has led traditional institutions like Arizona State University to provide opportunities for graduate learning in online forums. In many cases, the mastery that comes with graduate learning seems like a good pairing for digital immersion. The students are more mature, accustomed to self-motivation, committed to education and have planned for the investment in time and funding. As these students work to juggle priority, time commitments and their own personal lives, they have the benefit of having a supportive ally firmly planted in their corner—their success coach. 

ASU Online success coaches focus their time on helping students find balance. While the academic counselors help the students to plan their coursework and schedules, the success coaches help to synthesize all of the competing priorities to create plans that work for the student—helping them find balance, wellness and student success. The goal of the success coach is the overall wellness of the student. Education is not a standalone endeavor, but a piece of the puzzle of each student’s life, and the coaches help the students to find ways for that piece to fit so that they can be as successful as possible. Learners pursue graduate degrees for many reasons, but in every case, their goal is to make it to graduation. Knowing that there is a dedicated resource available to help the students overcome hurdles really empowers the students to reach out and get connected to the appropriate resources and tools that can help them to find success as students, and more importantly, as humans. The ASU Online success coaches use multiple channels of communication from phone calls, emails and texts to our ASU student communication and collaboration tool, Pitch. Designed to create communities that allow our students to become more connected with their peers, faculty and student success staff, Pitch offers the immediacy of chat to help students stay engaged, informed and on track.

If you’re not sure who your success coach is, you can log into your My ASU page (once you’ve registered for your first credit-bearing class) and find out! After you log in, click on “Your Academic Support Team,” found on the left-hand side of your screen.

 

Three questions with a success coach.

Meet Chris Kozma.

 1) What are the top 3 challenges that graduate students inquire about?

Many of my students are returning to school after progressing in their careers and starting families, which adds a new dynamic to their school experience. Discussion topics often include identifying resources to help with APA Style writing (for some it has been many years since they have written an academic paper), strategies to effectively fit school into their already busy lives, and support resources when personal issues occur. For example, in addition to work and family issues, last year some students also dealt with hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria, and others with California wildfires. It is important for our students to know that support is just a phone call away.

2) What do you love most about coaching graduate students?

Graduate students often have deep professional and personal experiences and it is extremely rewarding to watch them bring those into their academic portfolio. I always look forward to learning about their life stories and goals, supporting them throughout their program, and hearing their excitement when they graduate!

3) If you had one tip to share with graduate students, what would it be?

Be prepared for the unexpected life challenges that will surely happen. It’s not easy adding school into a busy work and life routine, but it becomes even more challenging when the unexpected occurs. ASU graduate students have a great support system that includes their professors, advisors and success coaches. Online classes progress fast, so don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance if you have questions or concerns.