At SWC, you have access to coaching support through Student Success Coaches and the Peer Coaching Program. Coaching is a holistic support resource available to help you succeed on the path toward your educational goals at SWC.
Coaches do this by connecting you to resources, listening to your needs, and assisting you in navigating requirements related to your success. Students are provided with up to six sessions per coaching plan. If a need arises for more sessions, this will be discussed with your coach, and a new plan can be created. This service is not a replacement for personal counseling/therapy.
While coaching is available through support channels created by the college, like referrals from your faculty, we also encourage you to empower yourself and advocate for your needs. You can request a meeting with a Coach by submitting a Support Referral. If you know that you want to work specifically with a Peer Coach, you can specify that in the comments of the form.
Peer coaches are fellow students who have been trained in coaching methodologies that align with the SWC values of transformational education. Peer coaching is a holistic support resource available to help you succeed on the path toward your educational goals. If you know that you want to work specifically with a Peer Coach, you can specify that in the comments of the Student Support Referral.
Relational: All coaches have training in power dynamics and critical pedagogies. Every relationship will have power dynamics, but coaches will work to establish understanding for this within your sessions and address any possible roadblocks in the relationship to assist in building trust and a constructive working relationship.
Student-Centered: Coaching is about you and your needs. Coaches do not take a one-size-fits-all approach to strategies. We will work with you to address your needs in a way that considers your values, background, and personal habits. This is done to better bolster your academic and career goals.
Solution-Focused: Coaching is done with an end goal in mind. Goals might change and expand over time, but work will be centered on identifying the need and strategies to address it. Coaching will entail creating a coaching plan that will allow you to track progress and more clearly identify when new needs or strategies arise.
Goal-oriented: This means we focus on specific outcomes and identified needs. We work with you to understand if negative or overwhelming feelings are stemming from a place of emotional need or academic requirements and assist you in accessing the appropriate support. If the need is related to your academic work, we then coach you through that need. This is done by:
The Guiding Values of Coaching Are:
Connection: You’re not doing this alone, there are resources available to you.
Consistency & Accountability: Your Coaches will be there for you as you build skills to address your needs and goals.
Compassion: Your Coaches have experience and training in holistic coaching methodologies and will be a thoughtful and compassionate support.
Confidentiality: What you share with coaches is confidential. At times, your coach might ask permission to share your needs with a Student Success Coordinator or the Dean of Student Affairs in order to explore options for resources and support. They will not do so without your prior permission. The exception is if you report a desire to harm yourself or others.
We do this by:
Exploring biases, power, and positionality
Establishing and maintaining positive relationships
Taking personal responsibility for your experience
Student Expectations for Coaching
Types of Support Available to Students
Your coach understands that you have a unique perspective and that academic pursuits are not separate from your background and personal needs. Your coach will respond in a supportive way to address academic pursuits while balancing life needs. Your coach will support you in identifying and developing strategies and tools for: