Curricular Resource Center

Academic Coaching, Engagement and Support

AcCESs (Academic Coaching, Engagement & Support) is a collaborative academic support program at Brown for undergraduates. Professional and peer academic coaches work with students to help them set and achieve their goals. Academic coaches in various settings foster the holistic development of academic skills that support students’ educational journeys and personal well-being.

  • At the Curricular Resource Center, we assign interested students to one-on-one coaching at the beginning of each semester and during the summer by matching individuals who identify as someone from cohorts of students who can benefit from coaching (e.g., Bridge Scholars, first-generation college students, students with Student Accessibility Services accommodations, students returning from a leave of absence, and students identified by a College advising dean or Student Support Services dean). All students interested in a one-on-one coach for the semester, someone who can meet them weekly or biweekly, must request one by filling out this request/intake form.
    • The CRC peer coaches also provide drop-in/open hours for any student for in-the-moment consultations about time management, task prioritization, and preparation for midterms/finals.
  • The Division of Athletics trains and supports peer academic coaches to help undergraduate student-athletes discover and develop their preferred learning habits and effective study strategies for strengthening their educational capacities and engagement. Each peer academic coach is assigned to a team(s) and will work with the Student-Athlete Development point person and sport-specific Coaching staff to provide group and 1:1 academic workshops and consultations focusing on the first-year transition, time management strategies, effective study habits, and test-taking skills, as well as empowering them to utilize resources available to them.
  • Undergraduate international students can have coaching conversation(s) that involve self-reflection and broadening the repertoire of learning strategies appropriate to their learning styles and course materials. This is a collaborative space for international students to reflect on their learning experiences and polish their learning skills based on students’ expressed priorities and professional assessment of their academic strengths and needs. Your coach empowers multilingual/multicultural students with various learning-related dialogues across the curriculum.

Download our flyer here to learn more about coaching and access our list of FAQs for students and faculty.

Academic Coaching is an opportunity offered to any interested undergraduate through programming at the CRC, to varsity student-athletes through the Division of Athletics, and self-identified international students through the International Advising Team. Professional/Peer Coaches provide strategies for students studying the humanities, social sciences, and STEM fields; they work with any student free of charge.
The Division of Athletics offers peer academic coaching for varsity athletic teams. Peer Academic Coaches at the Curricular Resource Center are trained and dedicated upper-level students (juniors, seniors, and graduate students). The International Advising Team offers one-on-one coaching appointments with professional staff at 313 Page-Robinson Hall and virtually.
An Academic Coach is a peer or professional staff member trained and supervised to support you in being academically engaged and successful.

Questions about Academic Coaching? Please email academicsupport@brown.edu. You may also contact the CRC Program Manager, Faith Freeman or the CRC Director & Associate Dean of the College, Peggy Chang.