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First-time students to receive “Success Coaching” to improve retention and grad rates

Fayetteville State University (FSU) and InsideTrack today announced the launch of a new program to provide executive-style coaching to FSU students. Beginning this month and continuing through the 2017-2018 academic year, 300 first-time, full-time students will receive personalized support from an InsideTrack coach.

The coaching program is part of FSU’s commitment to becoming a world-class university of choice through innovative programming, partnerships and student services. FSU and InsideTrack developed the program under the framework of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) Re-Imagining the First Year (RFY) initiative, a project aimed at ensuring success for all students, particularly those who have historically been underserved by higher education.

Through structured meetings and ongoing digital communication via video, voice, email and text messaging, professional coaches will help students define their long-term goals and establish plans to graduate prepared for career success.

Coaches will also support students in developing the crucial non-cognitive skills needed to overcome obstacles and persist, including time management, critical thinking, and communication, as well as develop a mindset of personal accountability for their own success.

In addition, insights gathered by coaches and through InsideTrack’s uCoach® technology platform will support administrators in making more informed operational decisions.

Based in Fayetteville, North Carolina, FSU is a public historically black university that serves one of the most diverse student bodies in the country and consistently ranks among the nation’s top producers of African American and other minority graduates in disciplines like mathematics, psychology, computer science, education, social sciences and history. Building on its long history as an HBCU, the university now serves a highly diverse group of more than 6000 students through more than 60 programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.

“The first priority in our institutional commitment to educational excellence is ensuring that our students are empowered to make informed decisions about their futures and take the actions necessary to achieve their goals,” said Dr. James Anderson, chancellor of Fayetteville State University. “By leveraging InsideTrack’s proven coaching methodologies, technology and analytics, we can provide each student with the tailored support they need to reach their full potential.”

The partnership is InsideTrack’s second with a North Carolina HBCU this year. In February, InsideTrack began working with Elizabeth City State University (ECSU) to strengthen its enrollment and student success operations. As a member of the nonprofit Strada Education Network, InsideTrack is committed to supporting the needs of minority-serving institutions around the country and also partners with a broad range of Hispanic- and Native American-serving institutions, including the University of Central Florida, Bacone College, and several campuses in the California State University and University of Texas systems.

“It’s clear that student success is the top priority at Fayetteville State,” said Cindy Hewitt, associate vice president of program development at InsideTrack. “FSU’s deep and ongoing commitment to providing all students with outstanding educational experiences is evident in their actions and we look forward to working with them to unlock the potential in their students and the institution itself.”

Material from a press release was used in this report.