Success Coaches

The Success Coach Model is designed to help students transition to Gaston College and develop the necessary skills for academic and personal success. Through the establishment of a campus support system, timely and proactive engagement and guidance, and the development of academic success strategies, students will be equipped with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to successfully navigate their undergraduate experience.

What Are Success Coaches?

Success Coaches provide guidance and support for students at Gaston College. Success Coaches strive to build relationships with students with the goal of empowering them throughout their educational journey.

What Do Success Coaches Do?

  • Assist students with college adjustment
  • Meet with students to identify and address challenges
  • Connect students with support programs and services
  • Monitor grades and attendance and connect students with learning support resources
  • Collaborate with faculty to address students’ academic and personal concerns
  • Work with students to develop effective success strategies
  • Assist students with meeting academic, career, and personal goals

Who Is my Success Coach?

After enrolling, students are assigned a Success Coach based on their Program of Study. Students can connect with Success Coaches through in-person meetings, video conference, phone, email, or Watermark Student Success and Engagement (formerly Aviso). Below are the current Success Coaches:

Patty Robinson, Success Coach–Career and Technical Education (CTE)
704.922.6453
robinson.patricia@gaston.edu

Sherry Sharpe, Success Coach–Arts & Sciences
704.922.2303
sharpe.sherry@gaston.edu

Kendrick McDowell, Success Coach–Special Populations
704.922.2296
mcdowell.kendrick@gaston.edu

Watermark Student Success and Engagement

To promote student success across the College, the Student Success and Retention department manages the Watermark Student Success & Engagement (formerly Aviso) software platform. This reporting system serves as a tool for staff, academic advisors, and faculty to work collaboratively concerning students’ academic performance in a course, including: attendance, homework completion, study skills, motivation, class participation, and grades. The platform also allows us to submit alerts, which:

  • Provide feedback concerning students’ overall performance in a course
  • Give suggestions/strategies for students to improve
  • Enable the College to better identify and intervene with students

Watermark Log-in

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