It was the student’s first class in America, and he was overwhelmed. He had only recently emigrated from Africa. He was working in a hospital while taking a course, and the adjustment had been too much for him. So that’s the message he sent to Kathryn Watt, a Senior Academic Success Specialist at Portage Learning.
“I don’t want you to think I’m dumb.”
“It was heartbreaking,” Kathryn remembers. “He had a lot going on at once. I wanted to encourage him and let him know he could do this.”
And he did. Kathryn not only shared compassion and support, but she also gave him practical tools and followed up with him weekly. The young man would eventually pass his course and receive his transcript.
That’s just one example among many of our students who might need a lift along the educational journey. Our Student Success team at Portage Learning is ready to help from the time of enrollment through course completion. Team members share time management tips, study skills, help with grade calculations, progress reports and, in many ways, become accountability partners. They love to walk alongside students as they work through our courses.
“We’re committed to developing a relational partnership with each student,” says Debbie Michalik, who oversees the team as Senior Director of Student Affairs. “We want them to know they are individuals to us. They are not just another number.”
To that end, Academic Success Specialist Ellen Crefeld shares the story of another young man she connects with weekly. He’s taking five courses and needs to complete them by the summer.
“He really likes the accountability and extra support,” Ellen notes. “I try to encourage him and keep him motivated.”
Ironically, it’s our team’s attention to transformation, not transaction, that’s increased the number of partner institutions that appreciate how we assist their students.
“Schools trust their students to enter our flexible, asynchronous model of learning, and we want them to know they can trust us to help their students move along through their program,” Debbie points out.
The five members of our Student Success team carrying out that frontline service are:
- Amy Sullivan, Director of Student Success
- Kathryn Watt, Senior Academic Success Specialist
- Ellen Crefeld, Academic Success Specialist
- Allyson Gulish, Student Success Coordinator
- And Jana Newberry, Student Success Coordinator
Each interacts with about 60-75 students at any given time, entering their lives when they complete 30 percent of their coursework. If staff members notice a grade of C- or lower, they spring into action.
“I love to encourage our students to persevere through challenges that come their way,” Allyson explains. “It’s a privilege to walk alongside of them.”
The mentoring process starts with a survey to determine if a student wants coaching. If that’s the case, then they share time management tips, study skills, help with grade calculations, progress reports and, in many ways, become an accountability partner.
“I really enjoy getting to build relationships with students,” Ellen shares. “We play a parental role in some ways. I love to hear their stories, their life circumstances, and learn more about them. When I can find out their strengths and learning styles, I have a better chance of helping them.”
Amy agrees: “We’re here to walk through their journey with them. We’re not tutors, but we help in any way we can.”
In many cases, she adds, students are simply searching for someone who believes in them. “They may not have any other encouragement in their lives. They need a reassuring voice to say, ‘you can do this.’ ”
Kathryn looks over to Amy and nods.
“Our goal is pretty simple: We’re here to help students become successful.”
Providing inspiration and equipping them with helpful tools not only benefits students, but the colleges and universities our team serves. “It’s going to lead to retention when students enter their programs,” Amy notes.
Portage Learning is continuing to expand the mentoring opportunities we provide.
“We want to be a touchpoint at the very beginning of a student’s educational journey,” Debbie emphasizes. “Students really are more successful if they’re assigned a coach.”
And so are the programs they enter.
(To learn more about our Student Success team, email studentsuccess@portagelearning.edu.)
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