Sponsored by the NYS Student Success Center and the SUNY Center for Professional Development (CPD) 

Course 1: Coaching Strategies for Higher Education

There is a growing need within public colleges for leaders to have the knowledge, skills, and expertise to effectively lead and support individuals and teams. This virtual course provides an overview of coaching strategies, explores the elements of developing a coaching mindset and approach, and reviews coaching core competencies and ethics. Specifically targeted for postsecondary leaders, this course will highlight strategies for coaching that support team-based, organizational change leadership projects and programs, as well as strategies to support individual peer and student coaching.

At the completion of this course, all participants should be able to:

• Describe coaching strategies and identify opportunities for using them in the higher education context
• Develop effective coaching and facilitation skills
• Identify and share the essential coaching core competencies
• Demonstrate and apply specific coaching skills

Completion Requirements: To achieve a completion certificate, you must complete pre, mid and post course surveys, participate in four (4) synchronous sessions and watch recordings for any missed session, participate in three (3) out of the four (4) triad meetings, participate in all online discussions, and submit an end of course summary reflection. For completion with distinction, you can submit a 30 minute recorded coaching session for feedback from instructors. You can expect to spend 3-4 hours/week in the course activities.

Additional Requirements:

Required text: Kimsey-House, K. (2018). Co-Active Coaching. ISBN-10: 9781473674981  |  ISBN-13: ‎978- 978-1473674981          Amazon: $18.00 – $19.99

Required Assessment: Clifton Strengths: All participants will complete a Clifton Strengths Top 5 assessment as part of the program. The program fee will cover the cost (approximately $20 per attendee). Information on how to complete the assessment will be discussed within the course.

Course Delivery: Twelve (12) weeks, online asynchronous and six (6) synchronous sessions.

Course Dates: January 7 – March 31, 2025

Synchronous Meeting Dates: Wednesdays 10:00am -11:30am

• January 8
• January 22
• February 5
• February 24 (Monday)
• March 5
• March 19

Course 2: Developing a Student Success Coaching Mindset

Prerequisite: Coaching Strategies for Higher Education

In today’s dynamic higher education landscape, student success coaching has become a vital tool for supporting holistic student development and enhancing retention and completion rates. This six-week course considers coaching strategies in a student support context and focuses on teaching the skills, and frameworks necessary for effective and holistic student success coaching. Grounded in evidence-based practices, the course emphasizes goal-oriented, strengths-based coaching approaches that empower students to reach their academic and personal goals.

Participants will explore solution-focused coaching methods that can be tailored to address the diverse needs of students. This course complements “Coaching Strategies in Higher Education” by focusing specifically on student-centered coaching techniques and their practical application in driving student success outcomes.

This course offers student success coaches, faculty, staff and campus leadership the opportunity to learn how student success coaching can enhance and inform their work. Participants will engage in two coaching sessions throughout the course to apply learning. These sessions can be completed independently or via an optional synchronous Zoom session.

By course end, participants will have a toolkit for student success coaching promoting the attainment of sustainable academic goals, personal growth, and holistic development among students. The course will include case studies, discussions, and practical assignments aimed at developing scalable, culturally responsive, and goal-driven student coaching strategies. Participants can expect to spend two (2) hours a week on asynchronous readings, videos, and online discussions. 

At the completion of this course, all participants should be able to:

• Analyze the principles of evidence-based, strengths-based, and solution-focused coaching to support holistic student development and success in higher education.
• Design a student success coaching strategies toolkit that addresses diverse student needs, ensuring cultural responsiveness and adaptability for institutional scalability.
• Apply strengths-based coaching techniques that empower students to leverage their capabilities to achieve academic and personal growth.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of coaching strategies through continuous improvement methods, adjusting approaches to meet evolving student goals.

Course Delivery: Six (6) weeks, online asynchronous with one (1) synchronous 90-minute session.

Synchronous Meeting Date: April 28, 2025 3:00pm-4:30pm

Course Completion Requirements: To achieve a course completion certificate, participants must complete all assigned reflection discussion posts and end of course summary reflection, as well as participate in at least two (2) practice coaching sessions.

Mid to senior level leaders in a wide range of roles across functional areas (administration, faculty and staff) in postsecondary higher education institutions will benefit from this content.  Additionally, leaders at all levels who are tasked with leading organizational change projects within their higher education institutions are welcome.

This is not a passive professional development program and participants should be active learners. Participants must be willing to practice coaching themselves, be coached by others in the program, and be observed while coaching. Reflection and constructive feedback will be required of all participants. 

Available payment methods are:

• Credit Card (Mastercard or Visa)
• CPD General Points  
• Campus Check
• Journal Transfer

Full payment is required 30 days from the beginning of each course. If you select CPD points as your method of payment it is the responsibility of the registrant to determine if enough points are available to use BEFORE completing the registration process.  If points are denied, you will be responsible for payment.  Journal Transfers require prior approval; please be sure to follow up with your business office to confirm payment.  If payment is not made you may be denied access to the courses. 

CPD Points: Check if your campus is a member. Prior approval is required. If points are denied, the registrant is responsible for the payment.

Contact Us

The SUNY Center for Professional Development (CPD) supports a wide range of professional development opportunities for the academic, technical, and leadership communities across the SUNY System.

Phone: 315-214-2440        Email: cpdinfo@suny.edu

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