Student Success Coaching
At HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College, the success of our students is our priority. We understand that college can be difficult. Throughout YOUR time at HACC, we’ll be here to support you.
What is Student Success Coaching?
Student Success Coaching goals, include:
- Providing individualized support to HACC students with an academic standing of either academic probation, or suspension reinstatement.
- Supporting HACC students who may be struggling academically by ongoing communication and outreach, making informed academic decisions and helping students develop knowledge and skills needed for success at HACC.
- Sending early alert email notifications
| HACC Term/Word | Definition | |||||||||||||
| Academic probation (AP) |
At the end of each semester, a student whose minimum required cumulative GPA is below 2.0 is placed on academic probation. Students on academic probation can continue to take classes and are encouraged to do so. Students on AP can:
This standing is removed only when a student’s cumulative GPA reaches 2.0 or above. Refer to Academic Probation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for additional information. |
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| Academic standing | Student’s GPA determines academic standing of “good standing,” “academic probation” or “academic suspension.” | |||||||||||||
| Academic suspension | Student is placed on academic suspension using the below chart and:
Refer to Academic Suspension Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for further information. |
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| Credit |
Students earn credits for successful completion of courses under faculty instruction at the College. Credits are ultimately a way of equalizing the time spent learning and studying for each college class. After completing the specific course, students earn the corresponding college credits. |
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| Cumulative GPA | The overall GPA calculation of all courses at the College. | |||||||||||||
| GPA | GPA stands for Grade Point Average. A student’s GPA is calculated each semester based on grades earned from course completion. | |||||||||||||
| Good standing | An academic standing of good standing is a GPA of 2.0 or higher. Good standing is a requirement for graduation. | |||||||||||||
| Midterm | HACC faculty provide midterm grades. These grades serve as a midpoint check-in and are not calculated into final GPA. | |||||||||||||
| Semester/Term | HACC offers the following semesters:
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| Withdrawal Suspension |
At the end of each term, a student who receives a grade of W in 50% or more credits after attempting 30 credit hours is placed on “suspension due to excessive Ws” or Withdrawal Suspension. Refer to Academic Suspension Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) for further information. |
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| Suspension Reinstatement | Students placed on academic suspension must complete a suspension reinstatement application. When reinstated, students must earn a semester GPA of 2.0 to continue coursework at the college. | |||||||||||||
| Withdrawal (W) |
A student who drops a course within the specified time frame of a semester receives a “W” and a grade is not entered. Before withdrawing from a class, it is important for a student to review options with their faculty, advisor and financial aid. Withdrawal deadlines can be found here. |
| Question | Answer |
| What is a success coach? | Success coaches work with students who have an academic standing of:
Success coaches are not academic advisors but provide valuable resources to personalize a student’s experience at HACC. Collaboration between a student and success coach:
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| When will I be assigned to a success coach? | Students who have an academic standing of academic suspension, suspension reinstatement or academic probation, will be assigned to a success coach, along with an assigned advisor. |
| How can my success coach help me? | A success coach can help a student with:
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| If I am assigned to a success coach, how often should I meet with them? |
The College recommends that students with an academic standing of academic probation or suspension reinstatement meet at least one time at the start of the semester to understand academic requirements regarding standing and also to set goals. It is also recommended that students check in at midpoint of the semester. Students can meet with a success coach throughout a semester at any time for support, ask questions and to stay on track to meet goals. |
| I’m not assigned to a success coach but I would definitely benefit from meeting with someone. How do I do that? | Any student can email successcoach@hacc.edu and the College will respond with information or help to schedule an appointment to offer information and next-step planning. |
Student success coaching is available for students to understand their academic standing and to continue to stay on their path to success and complete their educational goals at HACC.
A student’s academic standing is determined by cumulative GPA. A cumulative GPA is defined as the overall GPA calculation of all courses at the College.
Student success coaching supports students who have an academic standing of:
- Academic Probation
- Suspension Reinstatement
- Academic Suspension
| Question | Answer |
| What is academic standing? | All HACC students have an academic standing. At the end of each semester, grade point average (GPA) is calculated to determine satisfactory academic progress. |
| How do I know my academic standing? | Academic standing is listed on a student’s unofficial transcript. Please login to myHACC and select
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| What are the types of academic standing? |
Good standing – Cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher Academic probation – Cumulative GPA below 2.0 Suspension reinstatement – Student is reinstated after suspension and must maintain a 2.0 semester GPA until status is changed to academic probation or good standing |
| Can my standing be improved to good standing if I am on academic probation or academic suspension? |
Absolutely! The student success coaching team is here to help with this. HACC’s success coaches help students to have a success plan in place to move forward to the end goal of getting a degree or a credential. Retaking courses with F grades and getting Cs or higher in all courses will certainly help to increase overall GPA. |
| If I am placed on academic suspension, can I return to HACC? |
Of course! We hope that you do return. When suspended, students are required to sit out the following fall or spring term. When a student applies for reinstatement, they will work with a success coach to have a plan in place to return to HACC and continue to move forward to complete classes successfully. |
| Does my academic standing effect my financial aid standing? | Perhaps. To determine financial aid standing:
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| How can I graduate from HACC? | A student must have at least a 2.0 GPA to graduate. Please work with a success coach to make sure you are on track for graduation success! |
| Reinstatement semester request |
Last day to submit SR app
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Last day to submit SR app
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| Fall 2023 | Aug. 7, 2023 – For classes beginning Aug. 28
Aug. 21, 2023 – For late start classes Sep. 11 |
Aug. 14, 2023 – For classes beginning Aug. 28
Aug. 28, 2023 – For late start classes Sep. 11 |
| Spring 2024 | Jan. 3, 2024 – For classes beginning Jan. 16
Jan. 8, 2024 – For late start classes beginning Jan. 29 |
Jan. 8, 2024 – For classes beginning Jan. 16
Jan. 17, 2024 – For late start classes beginning Jan. 29 |
| Summer 2024 |
April 29, 2024 – For classes beginning May 20 May 22, 2024 – For 2nd summer session beginning June 17 |
May 6, 2024 – For classes beginning May 20 June 3, 2024 – For classes beginning June 17 |
Students who have the following academic standings will be invited to join RISE.
- Academic probation: _____
- Suspension reinstatement: _____
- Academic suspension: _____
Students in the RISE program will be:
- Offered individualized support services, meetings and programs
- Provided with HACC resources to enhance academic experience
- Provided with academic and personal goals to stay on the path
- Expected to maintain academic standards to persist and complete academic success at HACC
- Offered opportunities to connect with other HACC students
REFOCUS – At HACC, we know that students may have personal or life events which contributed to having difficulty with college. The RISE program will provide a new start a fresh focus for success.
IMPROVE – Following a new plan and using college resources can make for a better college experience and more successful course outcomes.
STRIVE - An academic plan and established goals are essential to a student’s success. Students are provided a new start, and along with determination, students can meet the goals that are in place.
EXCEL – Students are encouraged to do their best, reach for the stars and accomplish the goals they have set for themselves. We look forward to see students move forward to degree completion at HACC!
| Question | Answer |
| Who is a part of the RISE Program? | Any continuing HACC student with an academic standing of academic probation, suspension reinstatement or academic suspension. |
| What is required of the RISE Program? | Students who are a part of RISE should:
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| What are the goals of the RISE Program? | The goals of the RISE program are to:
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| Why should a student participate with RISE? | These interactive and engaging experiences with RISE will provide:
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| What resources are available to me as part of RISE? | The following resources are in place for RISE students:
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Student success continues to be a priority at HACC.
A useful tool in helping students succeed is Navigate, the early alert/academic monitoring system. The early alert program is used mostly by faculty to identify students who are currently in need of extra support and guidance in class with the goal to complete the semester successfully and make informed academic decisions. The Student Success Coaching team reaches out to students to talk about current course status and offer support and resources with the goal for the student to complete their course successfully or make an informed decision about other options and planning forward.
Goals of the Early Alert system, include:
- Identifying at-risk students
- Guiding students to identify strategies for achievement
- Connecting student to college resources
- Exceling in course completion and educational goals
- Assisting in removing barriers to student success
- Striving to be a gateway to educational success
- Celebrating successful retention and increased GPA
- Student’s faculty submits an “alert” via Navigate
- Alerts include:
- Grade concern
- Attendance concern
- Tutoring and coaching referral
- Alerts include:
- An email is sent to student explaining the concern from the faculty
- A member of the Student Success Coaching team is notified of the alert
- Success coaches reach out to student via phone, email and/or text to offer support and resources for the student to be successful in the course
| Question | Answer |
| Who issues an alert in Navigate about a student’s academic performance? | In most cases, the student’s faculty member issues the alert. |
| How do I know if I receive an early alert? | A student receives an email to HAWKMail indicating the faculty submitted an alert. |
| When are alerts usually submitted by faculty? | Faculty usually enter alerts at the start of the semester and at the midterm of the semester. However, they can submit an alert at any time when they feel a student could use additional support and resources. |
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What should a student do when they receive an email early alert? |
When a student receives an alert email, they can:
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| Why does a success coach contact me when I get an early alert from my faculty? |
The success coach reviews alerts as they are posted from faculty. A success coach reaches out to the student via phone, email and/or text to offer further support and guidance. The success coach also helps students to make informed decisions about completing the class successfully or determining other options. |
| Do the alerts count towards my academic standing or record? | No. The early alert system is a communication process used in Navigate and does not affect a student’s final grade, academic record or academic standing. |
Here are some videos, links and resources to review and use implementing your success toolbox.
| Category | Links |
| Academic Standing | |
| Study Skills | |
| Time Management | How to Manage your Time Well |
| College Success | How to Succeed in College |
| Success in HACC Math Courses | Math Library Resource Guide |
| Success in HACC Science Courses |
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| Success in HACC English Courses | English Library Resource Guide HACC’s Online Writing Lab (HOWL) |