OFFICE OF ACADEMIC COACHING

The Office of Academic Coaching coordinates several programs and services to assist students in improving academic performance. Students can request services from the Office of Academic Coaching by coming to Academic Support Services at 520-522 E. 14th Street or by calling 610-499-1266.

Academic coaching is provided through one-on-one meetings with an academic counselor and is designed to assist students who are struggling in their academic courses. Any student, including upperclassmen and freshmen, can request academic coaching by contacting the Office of Academic Coaching. Academic coaching is individually tailored to the needs of each student, and can address areas such as:

• study skills that can enhance learning and memory of academic information
• organization and time management
• test taking and test anxiety
• academic planning and preparation for pre-registration for courses

The Early Assessment system for freshmen monitors the academic performance of freshman students in order to address any academic difficulties early in the semester. Approximately four weeks into the semester, professors identify freshman students who are doing poorly in their courses. Freshman advisors contact these students for an appointment to help students identify the causes of their academic difficulties and identify support services on campus that could be of help. The Office of Academic Coaching will outreach to students that advisors have identified as needing additional support. Academic coaching is provided to these students, and students are referred to other services on campus as necessary. Students are also contacted if necessary after mid-term grades are issued.

Freshman Seminars are one-credit courses designed to help students:

• develop critical thinking skills
• learn and use organizational and time management techniques
• improve study skills
• learn about Widener’s network of student support services
• become familiar with academic resources on campus
• get to know a faculty member and other freshman students while they mutually explore an intellectually stimulating topic

Seminars meet for two hours each week. Research shows that participation in a Freshman Seminar is associated with greater overall academic success. The faculty members who teach freshman seminars have offered many diverse and interesting topics, such as:

• Cash Only Please: The Basics of Money Management and Personal Finance for Today’s College Student  
• Through the Lens of the Other: Using Contemporary Films to Understand Other Cultures
• Civic Engagement: Organizing a Holiday Toy Drive 
• Valuing and Embracing Diversity in the Workplace: How Does This Affect Me?
• Your Job. . . Get A Job
• Big Fish/Little Fish: Competencies for Success in College and Life
• Performance Enhancement in Athletics, Academics, and Life
• Inspiring Creativity: Writing the Self
• CSI (Crime Science Investigation): Behind the Scenes 
• it’s Physical, it’s Therapy!

CONTACT INFORMATION

Office of Academic Coaching
520-522 E. 14th St.

Widener University
One University Place
Chester, PA  19013
tel: 610-499-1266
fax: 610-499-1192

Tim Cairy, M.Ed.
Director
tjcairy@widener.edu