Success Coaching

What is success coaching?

Coaching is a process in which the Coach serves as a strategic partner of the Coachee.  Coaching is student-focused and student-driven; the student chooses their priorities and action steps. The coach serves to: create focus, clarify intention, motivate, and build accountability through the use of open/ended questions.  The following principles serve to help ground the Coach and Coachee partnership:

  • The coaching relationship is based on open communication and trust.  Coachee information and communication is private.  The Coach and Coachee will record a summary of the goals identified and future updates.
  • The Coach is not a mental health professional, and does not give advice; legal, financial, or other. The coach may from time to time to share examples for perspective.
  • The coach is a mandated reporter which means they must report information related to abuse/harassment.  If in need of a confidential partner, review this list of on campus resources.
  • The Coach and the Coachee recognize that the purpose of the coaching relationship and process is for the Coachee to explore their goals and create the student success experience they want to achieve.
  • Change does not occur overnight.  Coach and Coachee commit to meet at least four times to introduce the coaching model, define success, set and evaluate goals, and to update one another in a timely manner of any change to the schedule, action plan or support needed.
  • The parties acknowledge that they are free to stop coaching at any time, and to resume it at any time.

You are also welcome to add other principles in order to support your partnership with a success coach.  Do not hesitate to bring those to your coach's attention during the introductory meeting.  

Success coaching is a personalized service to promote progression towards your desired outcomes.

CMASS Coaches use a holistic, intersectional and strength based approach in supporting undergraduate Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC), first-generation, low- income students, foster youth, and any student seeking to thrive in their college experience (i.e. personal, social, co-curricular and academic interests). 

What are the benefits of partnering with a coach?

  • Advocacy
  • Develop goal setting techniques
  • Develop organizational and time management skills
  • Promote success in college
  • Learn about cultural programs
  • Connection to campus resources
  • Motivational support
  • Identify your strengths
  • Support during transition to/from the university

What do students say about success coaching?

“A success coach is there to aid you and check in with your regular about goal and help prioritize so you can manage your goals (homework, projects, overall grade, on campus engagement).

Success coaches help students find the resources that they need, they are also someone who can hold a student accountable for the goals that they set.”


[Coaches] have the role to ask questions that make the student assess themselves …”

How can I partner with a success coach?

Your success coach is a member of your Success Team on NAVIGATE. Follow this link for step by step scheduling instructions. If you don’t have a success coach and would like to work with one, ask your academic advisor for a referral or make the request yourself by emailing cmass@umass.edu.

For questions about scheduling classes, removing holds, major requirements or other course related process please reach out to your academic advising team.  For questions about the study abroad process please see visit International Programs Office.