InsideTrack

What happens when learners with some college but no credential (SCNC) connect with a coach? A new independent evaluation of the California Reconnect initiative found that those who engaged in coaching were nearly four times more likely to re-enroll — and significantly more likely to persist once they returned.

We are proud to share the California Reconnect Year Two Evaluation Findings from Education Northwest. This report demonstrates the power of individualized support in helping stopped-out learners navigate the path back to higher education.

Explore the full, independent findings to see how personalized coaching is strengthening the workforce pipeline in California.
https://www.insidetrack.org/reports/from-stopping-out-to-stepping-forward-california-reconnect-initiative

A journey to success is rooted in belonging. We believe that when spaces are inclusive, everyone wins. How is your community celebrating Pride this month? Let us know in the comments! 🏳️ 🌈 👇

This June, we are proud to celebrate Pride Month and honor the vibrant LGBTQIA+ community of students, educators, and workforce professionals.

True, human-powered support means meeting people exactly where they are — recognizing their unique experiences and helping them overcome barriers to achieve their dreams. We believe that when spaces are inclusive, everyone wins.

Like many incoming freshmen, Christian arrived at college feeling less than confident. Living away from home for the first time, he felt like he was trying to navigate a maze.

Everything changed when he was paired with a success coach through Old Dominion University's student coaching program. From breaking down academic goals to filing financial aid paperwork and applying for internships, Christian had a dedicated teammate supporting him personally, socially and academically.

Today, Christian has his diploma in hand and is ready to take on the world. Read his inspiring story to see how holistic, campus-wide support helps students stay on track and accomplish their dreams.

🔗 Read the full story: https://www.insidetrack.org/learner-stories/christian-manty

Even when individuals are fully committed to pursuing their degree, credential or career path, unexpected obstacles arise that can too easily derail them. As challenges start to pile up, the life-changing benefits at the end of the journey can feel out of reach, and motivation can fade. When a learner stops out, it's a heavy blow to the student, their family and their institution.

With personalized Retention Coaching, institutions can keep more students on track to complete. This tailored approach empowers learners to clarify goals, identify challenges, organize priorities and stay deeply connected to their reasons for pursuing their educational dreams.

See how addressing individual barriers can help your students thrive: https://www.insidetrack.org/solutions/retention

We've all been there: you attend a professional development workshop, leave feeling inspired, and then slide right back into old habits a few weeks later. For student support teams who are already stretched thin, one-off training can feel more like a chore than a benefit.

But it doesn't have to be that way. When professional development is sustainable, it completely transforms your campus culture. Take the University of Maryland Global Campus, where support staff retention rose by 30 percentage points after embedding quality coaching methodologies into their daily workflows.

Discover four practical ways to ensure your team's training investments drive lasting, meaningful change for both staff and students: https://www.insidetrack.org/blog/four-ways-to-ensure-professional-development-for-student-support-staff-drives-lasting-impact

We are excited to announce the addition of three senior higher education leaders to our advisory board. We are grateful for their expertise and guidance. Meet the new board members:

✨ Thomas Chase Hagood, Ph.D. (The University of Utah)
✨ Kari Schimmel, Ed.D. (Illinois Central College)
✨ Angela M. White, Ph.D. (Johnson C. Smith University)

With over 50 years of combined experience across community colleges, HBCUs and research universities, their insights will help shape the future of evidence-based student support.

🔗 Visit our website to read the full press release: https://www.insidetrack.org/news/national-student-success-nonprofit-taps-three-higher-education-leaders-to-join-national-advisory-board

Returning to school or starting a new educational journey comes with a unique set of hurdles. But when learners are backed by human-centered support and clear guidance, they don't just return — they stay. Our monthly newsletter is filled with research, student impact stories, and practical techniques designed to expand learner access and drive success.

In the upcoming issue, we will be covering:

🔹 Lessons learned from a successful statewide re-enrollment initiative
🔹 Student-centered strategies to bridge the gap between admission and the first day of campus life
🔹 How success coaching acts as a vital bridge between degrees and workforce readiness
🔹 A practical coaching tip to help learners prioritize an overwhelming to-do list

Join the conversation on how we can better empower the modern learner. Click below to sign up for our newsletter updates before the new issue drops! ⬇️
https://www.insidetrack.org/advancer-newsletter