The goal of coaching is to lead others toward independent work and productivity. Individual tutorials geared toward personal needs can greatly enhance the college education experience by improving one's abilities in a given area of study.

If you're already familiar with the many benefits coaching offers, skip to the Getting Started section at About Appointments.

A Coach's Role

Coaches are CCA work-study students who have demonstrated competence in the area in which they are hired. Coaches provide feedback, support, and guidance in a patient and positive manner.

They share their knowledge and encourage students to apply learning strategies and organizational techniques to increase their likelihood of success in their assignments or projects, or both.

They neither grade nor assign work. Although coaches may have contact with an instructor in order to better assist with an assignment, they do not to negotiate on a student’s behalf.

Coaches make suggestions on student work during scheduled appointments. No work will be done on an assignment if you miss your appointment.

Writing Coaches

Many writing coaches are enrolled in CCA's MFA Program in Writing. They are deeply interested in writing and are a curious and sympathetic audience.

A one-hour session of undivided attention might include the following:

• choosing a topic
• narrowing a subject
• reading a project draft
• providing feedback on content, organization, paragraphing, grammar, punctuation, and spelling
• explaining how to properly source your research for a final draft.

Often writing coaches provide insight and guidance into the strongest parts of your written work. As a result, students often find their overall writing has improved.

Visual Studies Coaches

Many visual studies coaches are enrolled in CCA’s Graduate Program in Visual and Critical Studies. While individual appointments are helpful, you may request a coach lead a study group.

Sessions might include any or all of the following:

• addressing how to take better notes
• how to study
• how to read the textbook
• how to make flash cards

In addition, a coach can review the content of an instructor's lecture or work with you to improve your Visual and Critical Studies writing assignments.

Software Coaches

CCA offers coaching for many of the software applications the college uses in the classroom. Lab monitors are not software tutors, so CCA employs qualified students as software coaches.

You must bring your project to the coaching session and have clear questions prepared in advance. While coaches offer valuable insights, they cannot teach a program in its entirety in a single meeting.

Occasionally, software program workshops are offered. Topics have included Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and Apple’s Final Cut Pro.

Math and Science Coaches

Math and science coaches are hired based on their strong backgrounds in these areas.

NEW! CCA & Lynda.com

Lynda.com is an amazing resource for learning or improving your knowledge of computer applications. Current CCA students, faculty, and staff can access the Lynda.com Online Training Library from on or off campus using either a CCA-administered or personally owned computer.