Coaching Works-if Colleges Invest in Quality

"Whether it's executive coaching or life coaching, people understand the concept and know that there is value to it in higher ed. However, what's been missing is this foundational research that really explains why coaching works in this context and how you can then leverage it to have the most impact on student success. What does a coach need to know, and at what skill level do they need to operate in order to have the impact on students that we want to see?"

"Coaching models grounded in intentional training, accountability and continuous improvement are far more likely to drive gains in learner persistence and progress. The most important piece of this—and this is the piece that a lot of folks struggle with the most—is the feedback loop. That means giving coaches meaningful, ongoing feedback on their practice."

"In roughly two-thirds of the studies examined, results depended on how coaching programs were designed and implemented—not simply on whether coaching was offered. The study identifies 10 characteristics that consistently sustain effective coaching practices, including relationship-building, motivation development, reflective assessment and action planning."

A peer-reviewed literature review of 36 studies reveals that success coaching can enhance student persistence in higher education, but effectiveness depends critically on program design and implementation rather than coaching's mere presence. The research identifies 10 key characteristics of effective coaching practices, including relationship-building, motivation development, reflective assessment, and action planning. Coaching models grounded in intentional training, accountability, and continuous improvement demonstrate significantly better outcomes. The most crucial factor is establishing meaningful feedback loops that provide coaches with ongoing performance feedback. Institutional commitment to high-quality coaching infrastructure, rather than simply offering coaching services, determines whether programs successfully drive gains in learner persistence and progress.

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