Engaging Students through Abbreviated, Focused Workshops
A Project of the Chancellor’s College Success Coach Initiative at Paul D. Camp Community College
Submitted by Laura Clark with Sandra Walker, Jamie Dodd, Trina Jones, Alan Harris, and Susan Stubenrauch
Abstract:
The Chancellor’s College Success Coach Initiative was created to support the Student Success initiative of
Achieve 2015. At Paul D. Camp Community College, the college success coaches have created weekly sessions
open all students as a part of the program. These session, Tuesday Talks and Campus Conversations, are unique
because they only last 30 minutes. Though the time frame seems small, student success is at the heart of the
design. Over the four semesters, the events have grown from no one in attendance to a classroom filled with 25
to 30 students each week on each campus. Connecting with students and having them engage in a weekly event
is a much sought after success, especially for students from underserved populations. Sessions cover topics that
students can utilize such as overcoming academic challenges, what to expect from faculty advisors, and how to
apply for scholarships. The students love these sessions. One student commented, “It really helps to hear that
there is a way to manage life in a more efficient way…Tuesday Talks are very helpful.” The relevance goes
beyond the campus to the daily lives of students. Custom fit coaching is provided to those who discover they
need assistance. Many students have utilized this opportunity to participate in their own success. The faculty
and staff have partnered in creating the topics and encourage the students to participate by providing a
connection such as extra credit or essay topics based on the information shared.
Describe how this project serves the mission of the VCCS and Achieve 2015.
Through Achieve 2015, Virginia’s Community Colleges are focused on ensuring more students are equipped to
succeed in college. The student success component is dedicated to increasing overall completion rates and the
success of students from underserved populations. The Chancellor’s College Success Coaches at Paul D. Camp
Community College puts these ideals into action on our campuses. Working collaboratively with the faculty and
support staff, Tuesday Talks and Campus Conversations were created to give students the opportunity to learn
and develop the right skills to be successful in their personal and academic pursuits. These focused, 30-minute
weekly sessions bring relevant information to the students on topics that encourage involvement and
connection. Students take part in sessions on overcoming academic challenges and other relevant topics. The
sessions provide enough information so students are exposed to an idea they may not have considered before.
Students frequently seek out individual assistance after a session. Research has shown that when students
connect and know that they matter to someone at the college, the success rate increases. Through the follow
up and personalized attention available through these sessions, students are connecting. A student commented
on a recent survey, “Thank you for taking the time to help us out. It's a big relief to know that almost everyone
has the same uncertainties and concerns. Knowing you are not alone means a lot.”
Describe how this project can be used across disciplines, units, and institutions.
The 30-minute format could be utilized in any program or topic area. That flexibility is the beauty of this
program. Sessions can be created on any relevant topic to address a current event, issue, or need. Though this
project has only two leads, a number of faculty and staff have assisted in developing topics based on what they
see in the classrooms or advising situations. These sessions can be brought into any classroom at the
instructor’s request. This comment came from an instructor to a college administrator, “I asked our Success
Coach to give a presentation this week. I did not expect to witness the engagement and the on-the-edge-oftheir-seats attention that my students gave her. I was amazed. She also has met with one of my more troubling
students the day after her presentation. He has lacked responsibility and respect in the classroom in the
past. However, I now have a greater sense of hope for him.” This student continues to progress towards his
degree.
Describe the creative "out-of-the-box" nature of the project and its connection to sound educational
practices.
There is a lot of information that students, particularly those from underserved populations, need to have to be
successful in college. The information comes in a range of formats, but many students do not realize how or
why the information is relevant to them. Workshops and seminars are typically designed to be comprehensive
so the students are given lots of information about the topic in a single session. Tuesday Talks and Campus
Conversations are much different. The intention is to provide manageable nuggets of information to help
students decode the information into something relevant. The brief nature of the sessions invites students to
sample the opportunity to contribute to their own success without a large time commitment. The students are
learning this way as reflected by this comment, “Sessions cover a wide range of topic to increase life skills as well
as academic skills. I enjoyed the fact that I was able to use these tasks in my day to day living. I didn't think the
sessions would help me out at home, work and at school. I love them!” By assisting the students with skills to
manage life outside of campus with time and money management, the college experience becomes more
integrated and relevant. The faculty support for the program has been excellent. Everything from offering extra
credit for attending to incorporating topics into class writing assignments has helped encourage attendance.
Describe how the project will retain its value over time.
Providing relevant and engaging resources will never become outdated. The short time frame for the sessions
allows them to be developed quickly to meet the current needs of the students. The first two sessions during
the fall 2012 had no one attend. Then, sessions grew to a core group of three to seven students at each week
during the spring 2013. Summer saw additional increases of attendance and during the fall 2013, the session
have typically had 20-30 students. There are stories from students about the impact of the program, but the
most telling is that they continue to come and bring friends long after the course that offered extra credit for
attendance has ended. One student commented, “I LOVED IT!!!!!!!! It gave me hope …” Another added, “I wish
every student realized how important these topics are. It really helps to hear that there is a way to manage life
in a more efficient way. All you have to do is take the time to listen. Tuesday Talks are very helpful.” This unique
approach is working for the students and that is of great value at a time when student engagement is such an
important topic.