A personalized and dynamic approach to coaching, designed to empower change

At InsideTrack, coaching is both an art and a science. Our evidence-based methodology is built on industry-leading best practices and focuses on the goals, values and well-being of each learner. Coaches provide holistic coaching via our flexible, custom platform, allowing them to impact hundreds of thousands of learners each year. And we continue to refine our approach based on new research — while our highly trained and certified coaches always bring heart and soul to their connections with learners.

Providing individualized support at scale

Our custom coaching platform was designed based on millions of coaching interactions and supports us to reach the right learners at the right time, leveraging multi-channel communications in a way that works for them. This not only ensures that coaching is effective at scale — it also prioritizes a personal, human connection.

Over the past five years, we’ve recorded:

Building quality assurance into everything we do

InsideTrack Coaching programs include a quality and development process that is individually tailored to make sure our coaches continue to grow and thrive. During their first year, each coach receives 100+ hours of professional development, with 30+ hours each subsequent year. A member of our specially trained team virtually observes a coach/learner interaction from each InsideTrack coach every 3 months — ensuring that each coach is formally observed at least 4 times a year.

  • We have certified 2,500+ coaches over the last 5 years

  • Our specially trained staff have observed 5,000+ InsideTrack coach/learner interactions over the last 5 years

  • Last year alone, we delivered 4,700+ training hours to partners and InsideTrack coaches

Helping all learners advance and succeed

Our dedication to fueling opportunity along education and career pathways is rooted in our core mission, vision and values. We strive to create environments where every learner feels seen, heard, valued and included. We're committed to delivering safe, personalized and supportive experiences that empower all individuals to reach their full potential.

These four competencies fuel our coaching approach:
  • Individualization: Understanding each learner’s specific situation and systemic barriers they may be facing in order to tailor our approach

  • Self and Situational Awareness: Recognizing differences between coaches and learners to allow for a truly supportive relationship

  • Adaptability: Honing listening and communication skills to take different approaches with different types of learners

  • Cultural Competence and Humility: Committing to learning about cultures, backgrounds and perspectives that are different from our own, while avoiding assumptions and acknowledging that each individual’s journey is unique

coaching

Coaching that’s evidence-based and research-confirmed

Using coaching to help students overcome obstacles, clarify goals and stay motivated to graduate not only makes sense — it really works. Hundreds of partners have seen the positive, measurable impact on their learners and their organization. To put our methodology to the test, we’ve participated in dozens of research studies over the past 25 years.

Literature review confirms InsideTrack Coaching success

A peer-reviewed study shows that our quality coach training drives positive outcomes by equipping coaches with the competencies to build long-term student self-efficacy, autonomy and a growth mindset.

Research highlights the lasting impact of InsideTrack Coaching

A landmark study of 13,555 students confirms that InsideTrack Coaching drives significant, long-lasting increases in student persistence and graduation rates — even after coaching ends.

Coaching that meets the high-evidence standards of the DOE

InsideTrack Coaching is one of the only postsecondary coaching programs to be recognized as high impact and high evidence by the U.S. Department of Education What Works Clearinghouse.

Coaching methodology that fuels impact

Coaching supports the development of specific knowledge, skills and beliefs necessary for success in school, career and beyond. Emphasizing noncognitive competencies — such as critical thinking, problem solving, creativity, adaptability, time management, conflict resolution and perseverance — promotes transformational, long-term learning.

The five elements of coaching

Click cards to view details.

building relationships

Building Relationships

Building Relationships

Trust and credibility are the cornerstones of a successful coaching interaction

assessing

Assessing

Assessing

A thorough, holistic evaluation of the individual — inside and outside of school

advancing

Advancing

Advancing

Instruction and development to advance the individual to an actionable next step

building motivation

Building Motivation

Building Motivation

Connecting the individual to their “why” to sustain momentum toward their goals

strategizing

Strategizing

Strategizing

Effective, unique outreach and communication tailored to each individual

How does coaching fit with other student support roles?

Weaving our holistic coaching methodology into other support models — like counseling and advising — can equip support staff with the tools to foster a learner-centered approach that leads to greater retention, persistence and completion. And trained coaches not only advance their learners, but also help them get the most out of the other support roles available to them.

Our downloadable guide compares and contrasts common student success roles to the role of success coaching, providing real-world examples of how they can join together for greater impact.

Related Resources

Coaching solutions customized to your needs

We understand the challenges your organization — and your learners — are facing. That’s why we offer a comprehensive range of coaching solutions, all designed to help learners achieve their goals and partners achieve their desired outcomes. Select the approach that best suits your needs.