Salem State has been selected to receive a private grant that provides coaching though a non-profit called Inside Track to increase student success.
InsideTrack, a mission-driven nonprofit with a nearly 25-year track record of unlocking student success for millions of college students through the power of coaching, has invited Salem State University to participate in Strive to Thrive — a new three-year initiative to accelerate student success at an initial cohort of four emerging Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs) and one recently designated HSI.
Strive will work to boost college enrollment, retention, and completion by helping SSU adopt evidence-based coaching and student success strategies. Over the next three years, the Strive initiative will help to strengthen campus-wide capacity and support services that improve success for all students, including the growing number of Latino students that our institution enrolls. Starting in the fall, the initiative will provide personalized outreach and success coaching to 100 students currently enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences.
In addition to direct coaching support, SSU will benefit from institutional training in InsideTrack’s evidence-based coaching methodology, which can help remove barriers to financial, academic, and social barriers to enrolling and completing higher education.
Read the original press release.
A cohort of 100 Salem State students will receive a Thrive Coach this academic year. The cohort includes selected sophomores in biology, chemistry, geological sciences, mathematics, sport and movement science, psychology, healthcare studies, geography, English, economics, history, media and communication, philosophy, political science, sociology, liberal studies and art + design. This coaching intervention is evidence-based and has been found to increase student retention and success. Students who are already part of other SSU support programs with a similar coaching model will not be included in this cohort.
Returning students will be notified directly via email and text if they have been assigned a Thrive Coach. This coach is not part of an SSU office, but is working in coordination with the HSI-MSI office and other leaders in student success. The Thrive coach works for Inside Track, a non-profit organization that specializes in higher education and helps increase student outcomes. Thrive Coaches are aware of SSU resources and will be able to connect SSU students with appropriate support and resources to help them be successful. They will also help students navigate their academic year, providing support and guidance to help them succeed.
Students will be notified via email and text the first week of the semester. Please encourage students to respond to this outreach and make an appointment to connect with their coach via phone or email.
If you have questions or concerns about this program, you can reach out to Elisa Castillo or email ThriveCoaching@salemstate.edu.