LU Success, Lamar University’s academic coaching program, was awarded College Reading and Learning Association (CRLA) certification demonstrating that LU sets the highest standards for its mentors and tutors and for ensuring they are well-trained to assist other students.

“CRLA is a national association for academic support and certifies programs that meet criteria for hiring, training and maintaining coaching programs,” said Rachel Hoover, Director of STAR Services. “Certification required an in-depth application process and it’s a great recognition for our program because our student workers and the students we serve are affiliated with a nationally recognized academic support program.” 

LU Success is an academic coaching program facilitated through peer support initiated on the LU campus in the fall of 2017. The program is part of the STAR (Student Tutoring And Retention) Services department, which offers appointment-based and walk-in tutoring for undergraduate students, academic coaching services, peer and professional mentoring through Cardinal Communities, forums for sharing expertise and advice and peer-assisted study sessions.

“Programs, like LU Success, are newer initiatives across the nation,” said Hoover. “It offers students what they need to be successful. They come to college and often have not been exposed to skills sets like time management, goal setting, personal responsibility or the theory of self-regulated learning. It’s a big jump from high school to college so we’re here to help students develop those skills.”

Hoover says the program is growing. Each semester she says about 100 unique students utilize some aspect of the program. She also says LU Success is looking for additional ways to serve the LU community.

“Because we are still relatively new we are looking at how we can serve the cardinal community,” said Hoover. “We are looking into providing more workshops and team coaching, not just individual coaching, on subjects like ‘note taking.’

Currently, LU Success employs 15 Success Partners – higher achieving students with at least a 3.5 GPA who complete 15-hours of training per semester to work within the program helping students.