In order to support students who have previously experienced struggles, Walden University, a pioneer in distance online learning education for working professionals, created the Student Success Advisor Program to provide students with an advocate and resource throughout their entire academic experience. Walden University has been delivering distance education since 1970 and has been accredited by The Higher Learning Commission since 1990.
The advisor's support is available during the entire program and includes regular check-ins and motivational coaching. “The Student Success Advisors work with all students at Walden University to ensure their academic needs are being met. They aim to provide the best-in-class advising experience for our students through proactive and continuous engagement, early intervention, and caring relationships focused on student progress and success,” said Mandy Olsen, Senior Director, Student Success at Walden University.
The process begins as soon as a student joins Walden University. The advisor acts as a guide who evaluates the educational options available. The process aims to deliver personalized services, optimizing the experience and academic success of each student.
“Since many of Walden’s non-traditional students require additional support as they balance several responsibilities, their assigned Student Success Advisor helps set them up to have a positive academic experience,” said Olsen. “To ensure the students are on track, advisors build a strong relationship and connection to understand their students’ goals to best motivate and support them throughout their program.”
According to Mandy Olsen, advisors welcome new students and provide upfront support, so they acclimate to the new learning environment and community. Advisors also conduct quarterly check-ins to discuss the student’s academic standing and monitor each individual’s degree progress. Advisors are available to their students for ongoing support as needed through appointments, direct phone calls, emails, and text messages.
“Every Walden advisor is an expert in their students’ degree programs, is there for them during the moments that matter most, and helps motivate and celebrate their students,” she said.
In addition to the Student Success Advisors Program, Walden offers different learning modality options designed for each person’s needs and responding to each student’s personal learning style. Whereas course-based learning is often considered the more traditional method with an instructor-led approach on a predetermined schedule, Tempo Learning is an alternative way to earn a degree that allows students to work at their own pace and progress as they become more knowledgeable on the subject
Our Tempo Learning method addresses students’ unique needs, allowing them to personalize and control their program’s length, cost, and pacing. Our Academic Coaches work with them every step of the way by providing motivation, support, and coaching. Each student has an assigned Academic Coach in their Tempo Program, very similar to the Student Success Advisor in our course-based model,” Olsen said.
Coaches specialize in a specific degree program area, meet weekly for the first few months with new students, and then move towards monthly check-ins with their continuing students. “Students enjoy the relationship and additional support they receive from their coach in this more self-paced program to help ensure they are staying on track in completing their program based on the goals they set,” she said.
Walden coaches and advisors, who work closely with faculty members, firmly believe student support is paramount to ensure students’ goals are met disregarding what life challenges they may be facing.