Peer Support to Meet the Challenges of College
Our unique Student Success Coaching program offers undergraduate students the opportunity to meet privately with a peer coach to address academic and personal needs.
The program is based on a four-session coaching model that provides students with ongoing, individualized support throughout the academic semester. In one-on-one sessions, coaches and students work together to build goal-setting skills and routines that better prepare them for the rigor of academics at USD and develop holistic strategies for navigating college life.
All peer coaches are USD students who have successfully completed an upper-division course called "Current Approaches to Peer Assistance" (MFTS 365) in preparation for their role. Throughout their service, coaches also receive ongoing training and intensive supervision.
Peer coaches and professional staff members are able to assist students with the following:
Assessing and identifying challenges to success
Generating a customized Student Success Plan that includes academic and personal goals
Connecting students with relevant resources on campus
Developing time management and study skills, and becoming more integrated into the USD community
- Enhanced academic success
- Newly established academic and/or life goals that are specific, realistic, and attainable—and an understanding of the strategies to meet them
- Personalized development of study skills including:
- Individualized Student Success Plan
- Time and stress management
- Mentorship (between Student Success Coaches and clients)
- Referrals to campus resources
Many students who participate in the Student Success Coaching program attain semester and cumulative GPAs of 2.00+. Our goal is to empower students to develop the skills and enact change to achieve academic success and wellness.
- Students who are placed on scholastic probation
- Students with multiple midterm deficiencies
- Any student struggling with the transition to college-level courses or to in-person learning
- Any student seeking to improve their academic performance
Students on academic probation are required to attend a Student Success Workshop and are recommended to sign up for at least one session with a Student Success Coach at the Center for Student Success.
Make an Appointment with Us!
Click here for our Spring 2026 semester Calendly where you can make an appointment with one of our coaches at whatever time works for you!
Faculty and Staff Referrals
Would you like to refer a student to participate in the Student Success Coaching program?
Students and their coaches review previous or current challenges they are facing, explore strengths in their studying or personal habits, and develop strategic action steps to succeed in and out of the classroom.
If you're experiencing concerns about a student related to any of the following, please consider referring them to coaching:
- Time management
- Critical reading skills
- Test anxiety
- Stress management
- Study strategies
- Mentorship and involvement
- Transition to college or college experience
Questions?
If you have general questions about Student Success Coaching, please contact the Center for Student Success at css@sandiego.edu.