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Success Coaching

At GBCC, we understand that college can be difficult. Our Success Coaches are here to support our students academically throughout their time at GBCC.

Any student can schedule a meeting with a Success Coach. Please email [email protected] to schedule an appointment or get more information. Success Coaches provide valuable resources to personalize a student’s experience at GBCC.

Success Coaches provide individualized support to GBCC students on academic probation, academic suspension, or suspension recovery, as well as those referred by GBCC faculty and staff. They support students through ongoing communication, help students make informed educational decisions, and develop the knowledge and skills needed for success.

Students in Suspension Recovery who have completed a Continued Participation Agreement (CPA) should meet with their Success Coach on the schedule agreed by the Coach and the student, usually once a week, for accountability check-ins.

QuestionAnswer
What is a Success Coach?A Success Coach is like a guide who helps you do well in college. They help you succeed academically by giving you short-term personalized support and advice so you can make the most out of your college experience.
When will I be assigned to a Success Coach?

Only students in the Suspension Recovery Program are required to meet with a Success Coach. We recommend that students on Academic Probation or receiving an Academic Alert do the same, but it is optional.

Any GBCC student can decide to meet with a Success Coach at any point in the semester.

How can my Success Coach help me?

A Success Coach can help a student with:
Setting Goals: They help you determine what you want to achieve in college, such as getting good grades, choosing the right major, or managing your time better.
Study Skills: They teach you strategies for studying more effectively, staying organized, and managing your time so you can keep up with your classes and assignments.
Motivation and Accountability: They check in with you regularly to ensure you’re staying on track with your goals and help keep you motivated, especially if you’re struggling or feeling overwhelmed.
Problem-Solving: If you’re having trouble with a class, feeling stress or unsure about what to do next, a Success Coach can help you find solutions and resources, such as tutoring, study groups, or counseling services.
Building Confidence: College can sometimes feel overwhelming, but a Success Coach helps you feel more confident in your abilities by giving you the tools and support to handle challenges.

If I am assigned to a Success Coach, how often should I meet with them?Students in the Suspension Recovery Program need to meet with their Success Coach every week. For other students, meeting times with the Success Coach can be flexible based on what the student needs. However, most students choose to meet weekly until things are more stable.
I haven’t been assigned a Success Coach, but I want to meet with one. How do I do that?Any GBCC student can email [email protected] and someone in CAPS will respond with information or help schedule an appointment.
GBCC Term/WordDefinition
Academic Probation

Academic Probation Definition: Academic probation is a warning that indicates the student is not on track to graduate due to poor academic performance. The student may stay in their program, and their academic progress will be monitored.

Students not meeting the criteria below will be placed on Academic Probation:

0-13 Accumulated GPA credit hours:1.50
CGPA
14-27 Accumulated GPA credit hours:1.70
CGPA
28-40 Accumulated GPA credit hours:1.80
CGPA
41+ Accumulated GPA credit hours:2.00
CGPA

Note: Financial Aid may be in jeopardy if a student fails to achieve satisfactory academic progress.

Academic StandingAcademic standing measures a student’s academic success and progress toward their degree. A student’s GPA determines academic standing of “good standing”, “academic probation”, or “academic suspension.”
Academic Suspension

A student placed on Academic Suspension may no longer remain in their academic program and may not reapply for at least one semester (fall or spring) unless approved through the College Suspension Recovery Program.

Students who remain on Academic Probation for three consecutive semesters will be placed on Academic Suspension. Students not meeting the criteria below will be put on Academic Suspension:

0-13 Accumulated GPA credit hours:0.50 
CGPA
14-27 Accumulated GPA credit hours:1.10
CGPA
28-40 Accumulated GPA credit hours:1.25
CGPA
41+ Accumulated GPA credit hours:1.50
CGPA
Alert or Academic AlertUsed interchangeably, an “Alert” or an “Academic Alert is a warning submitted by an academic advisor or a faculty member to refer a student to various college support services, including CAPS, Library, IT, Financial Aid, and Community Resources. It is not punitive in any way but can sometimes warn a student that a college employee is concerned about them or their academic progress.
Credit

Students earn credits for completing courses under faculty instruction at GBCC.

Academic credit is determined for each course based on a combination of course length, class time, and workload and is a way to measure a student’s learning consistently. After students complete a course, they earn the established credits. Students must earn 60-71 applicable college-level credits (depending on the degree requirements) to earn a GBCC degree.

Cumulative GPA (CGPA)

The overall GPA calculation of all courses completed at GBCC.

The cumulative GPA is determined by:

  1. Converting each course grade into its corresponding grade points.
  2. Multiplying the grade points by the number of credit hours for each course.
  3. Adding up the total grade points.
  4. Dividing the total grade points by the number of credits taken.

This cumulative score summarizes the student’s academic achievement and is often used by colleges and scholarship committees as a key factor in the admissions process.

To graduate, students must be in Good Standing and have a 2.0 CGPA.

Good StandingAn academic standing of Good Standing is a CGPA of 2.0 or higher. Good standing is a requirement for graduation. 
GPAGPA stands for Grade Point Average. A student’s GPA is calculated each semester based on grades earned from course completion.
MidtermGBCC faculty may provide midterm grades. These grades serve as a midpoint check-in and are not calculated into final GPA.
Semester

A college semester is a period of time during which classes are in session. GBCC splits the academic year into two main parts, or “semesters:” Fall and Spring. Each semester usually lasts about 15-16 weeks or roughly four months.

GBCC also has a summer semester, which is a shorter “bonus” semester. In the summer, students can take classes to “catch up” or “get ahead.”

GBCC offers the following semesters:

  • Fall (August-December): ~16 weeks
  • Spring (January-May): ~15 weeks
  • Summer (May-August): ~12 weeks
Suspension Recovery Program

Students placed on academic suspension who wish to remain enrolled in an academic program must completed a Continued Participation Agreement to be considered for the Suspension Recovery Program. When approved for the Suspension Recovery Program and reinstated, students must meet regularly with an Academic Coach, attend Study Hall hours, and earn a semester GPA of 2.0 to continue coursework at the college.

Term

A term is the number of weeks a course is offered during a semester. Various term offerings can be confirmed on the college calendar, including important semester dates during the academic year.

GBCC typically has the following terms each fall/spring semester, but may have others as well:

  • Full Term: 15-16 weeks
  • Late Start: 11-12 weeks
  • 1st Half or 2nd Half: 7-8 weeks
Withdrawal (W)

A student who drops a course after the refund deadline and before the withdrawal deadline (60% of the course) receives a “W”, and an A-F grade is not entered. Before withdrawing from a class, it is important for students to review options with their faculty, advisor, and financial aid.

Withdrawal deadlines can be found here on each semester’s Registration Policies and Deadlines sheet.

Cumulative GPA determines a student’s academic standing. A cumulative GPA is the overall GPA calculation of all courses at the College.

Success Coaching is available to all GBCC students, but is highly recommended (or required) for students who have an academic standing of:

  • Academic Probation
  • Academic Suspension
  • Suspension Recovery Program Participants
QuestionAnswer
What is academic standing?All GBCC students have an academic standing. At the end of each semester, the grade point average (GPA) is calculated to determine satisfactory academic progress. For more detailed information, check out the College Catalog.
How do I know my academic standing?

Academic standing is listed on a student’s unofficial transcript. Please login to SIS and select:

  1. Student
  2. Student Records
  3. Unofficial Academic Transcript
  4. Transcript Type: GBCC Transcript & Submit
What are the types of academic standing?

Good standing – Cumulative 2.0 GPA or higher
Academic probation – Cumulative GPA below 2.0 (depending on number of attempted credits).
Academic suspension – Occurs after three semesters of Academic Probation where cumulative GPA and credit hours do not meet academic progress. Depending on the number of attempted credits and CGPA, it can happen sooner.
Suspension Recovery – Student is reinstated after suspension and must maintain a 2.0 semester GPA until status is changed to academic probation or good standing.

Check out the College Catalog for more information including credits/GPA and academic standing requirements.

Can my standing be improved to good standing if I am on academic probation or academic suspension?

Absolutely! The CAPS team is here to help with this.

GBCC’s Success Coaches help students develop a success plan to move toward 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 increase your overall GPA.

If I am placed on academic suspension, can I return to GBCC?

Of course! We hope that you do return.

When suspended, students must sit out the following fall or spring term. If suspended students decide to take classes as nonmatriculated students (paying out of pocket) or when students reapply after their time off, they should work with a Success Coach to develop a plan to progress toward completing classes successfully.

Does my academic standing affect my financial aid standing?

While your Academic Standing and Financial Aid are not directly related, your GPA and completion rates can impact your financial aid eligibility. To determine financial aid standing, you can:

  • Connect with financial aid to determine your status
  • Check out the requirements for Satisfactory Academic Progress for Financial Aid (SAPFA) in the College Catalog.
How can I graduate from GBCC?

To graduate, students must complete all required coursework and have at least a 2.0 CGPA. Please work with your advisor and/or a Success Coach to ensure you are on track for graduation success!

Suspension Recovery Application Deadlines

Reinstatement Semester Request

Last Day to Meet with the Suspension Recovery Program Coordinator (schedule before this date to guarantee availability): 

Spring 2025

January 17, 2025

Summer 2025

May 16, 2025

Fall 2025

August 22, 2025

Spring 2026

January 16, 2026

Student success continues to be a priority at GBCC.

Navigate, the academic alert monitoring system, is a useful tool in helping students succeed. Academic advisors and faculty use the alert system to identify students who need extra support and guidance in class to complete the semester successfully and make informed educational decisions. The Academic Alert Coordinator, Amy Darrigo-Doyle, reaches out to students to talk about their current course status and offers support and resources to help the student complete their course successfully or make an informed decision about other options and planning forward.

The Power of the Academic Alert Process

The Academic Alert process is designed to ignite student success by:

  • Proactively identifying students who could benefit from support.
  • Connecting students to a network of resources, fostering a sense of belonging and community.
  • Guiding students in developing personalized strategies for learning and growth.
  • Removing obstacles that hinder academic progress, ensuring equitable access to opportunities.
  • Celebrating their achievements and fostering a culture of growth.

This process is more than just retaining students; it’s about igniting their full potential and empowering them to leave their mark on the world.

Steps in the Academic Alert System

  • Student’s academic advisor or faculty submits an “alert” via Navigate.
    • Alerts include:
      • Low Grades
      • Excessive Absences
      • Time Management/Study Skills
      • … and others.
  • An email is sent to the student explaining the concern from the faculty.
  • The Academic Alert Coordinator and other GBCC stakeholders are notified of the alert.
  • Area experts reach out to the student via phone and/or text to offer support and resources for the student to be successful in the course.
QuestionAnswer
Who issues an alert in Navigate about a student’s academic performance?In most cases, the student’s faculty member issues the alert, but occasionally an academic advisor or another GBCC employee will submit an alert.
How do I know if I receive an early alert?A student receives an email to their CCSNH Email indicating the alert submission.
When do faculty usually submit alerts?Faculty usually enter alerts at the start and midterm of the semester. However, they can submit an alert whenever they feel a student could use additional support and resources.
What should students do when they receive an early alert via email?

When a student gets an alert email, they can:

  • Reach out to the faculty member who submitted the alert.
  • Meet with the faculty member during office hours.
  • Consider using college services (i.e. Tutoring, Success Coaching, or Library).
  • Contact their advisor.
  • Keep in touch with your Success Coach or email [email protected] for support.
Why does an Academic Alert Coordinator contact me when I get an early alert from my faculty?

The Academic Alert Coordinator supports faculty concerns and reviews alerts posted by faculty and then contacts the student via phone, email and text to offer further support and guidance.

The Academic Alert Coordinator refers students to a Success Coach and helps students make informed decisions about completing the class successfully or determining other options.

Do the alerts count toward my academic standing or record?

No. The Academic Alert System is a communication process used in Navigate and does not affect a student’s final grade, academic record, or academic standing. The alerts are not punitive in any way.