Center for Innovative Teaching & Learning - News

The WKU Coaching for Academic Readiness Excellence & Success (WKU C.A.R.E.S.) team of Tanya Vincent and Tammy Dorris accepted the prestigious UPCEA South Region- Excellence in Advancing Student Success Award at the annual UPCEA conference in Washington, DC on Thursday, March 23rd.  

The program was chosen because of its contribution to furthering best practices of "working student learners” through innovative, creative, and sustainable measures. WKU Cares Student Success Coaching has proved to be instrumental in the increase in completion rates, increase in enrollments and increase in student success. 

The WKU CARES Blackboard organization is set up for exclusively online learners. It houses valuable information to help students be successful online. It includes helpful coaching tips, ways to connect to campus and much more. Student Success Coaches like Tammy Dorris strengthen student ties to WKU and provide a myriad of skills to help students achieve personal goals.  

"WKU CARES has a mission to provide comprehensive support that helps online learners realize their potential, build confidence and succeed. Many times, online students do not feel connected to the university. WKU CARES is one way to bridge that gap and provide resources to our students. We have created a way to not only connect with students, but we are also forming partnerships across campus to offer more inclusive services to online students.” says WKU CARES, coach Tammy Dorris.  

Coach Tammy works closely with online students through the WKU CARES Blackboard Organization, which services around 2,200 students. She also meets with over 80 additional students for individual coaching. She allows students to actively reflect on their current circumstances and to evaluate strategies that support and/or undermine their academic success. 

Tanya Vincent, Program Manager for Online Student Services helped to create the WKU C.A.R.E.S. program as a part of WKU Online Student Services to help guide adult learners and non-traditional students throughout their time as WKU students. The program helps distance learners reflect, develop, grow, and be successful in their online programs of study.  

In the Spring of 2022, WKU CARES strengthened their model of personalized student support by revamping the WKU CARES Blackboard organization. They went from an approach of weekly activities students had to complete to housing modules of up-to-date resources available to online students.   

Learn more about WKU CARES at https://www.wku.edu/online/coaching/index.php