An Interview with Two Student Success Coach Programs

Choosing to become a surgical technology or surgical assisting student comes with the understanding that academic, professional and personal challenges lie ahead – as well as a great deal of support. At the end of the day, programs want their students to succeed. It becomes a true community effort, with layers of support that go beyond program directors and instructors.

We spoke with teams of academic advisors from two organizations – the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science across its four campuses and Tarrant Community College in Texas – to learn how strong student success programs can help students overcome challenges, complete their programs and become respected members of the profession.

Please tell us about your role. What does it mean to be a student success coach or academic success advisor?

Mayo Clinic Academic Success Advisor Team: There are four Academic Success Advisors in the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science. We are at each of our main campus locations in Rochester, Minnesota, Phoenix/Scottsdale, Arizona, and Jacksonville, Florida. Services have been offered from this role for six years.

Our primary objective is to partn