Peer Academic Consultants eliminated, replaced by professional success coach

DINAH MCKEMIE

Staff Writer

The Office of Academic Services has discontinued its Peer Academic Consultant program, replacing the student consultants with Kelly Woodson, a full-time Student Success Coach, to cover their services.

“Based on the evolving academic support needs of our students, it was determined that a professional student success coach would be a greater benefit for the university community,” said Wes Hillyard, dean for Academic Success and Integrity. 

Prior to this year, students seeking assistance with test preparation, study strategies and time management skills could turn to the Peer Academic Consultants. There, student consultants provided personalized academic advice and one-on-one assistance. 

“I used the Peer Academic Consultant services my freshman year when I was struggling to adjust to college and stay organized,” said junior creative writing major Hannah Holstrom. 

Holstrom continued, “[the consultant] gave me tips based on her own experiences in college, which made me a little less anxious about starting the semester in a completely new environment.”

However, this model was phased out at the end of last semester.

“The coach is trained to support students on executive functioning skills that will support their academic success inside and outside of the classroom,” said Hillyard.

According to Hillyard, students seeking an appointment with Woodson must first get a referral through the Office of Academic Services, the Office of Disability Services or the Dean of Students’ office. She will then contact the student directly through their UMW email to schedule an intake meeting. Students started being directed to referrals in mid-September. 

“[S]tudents should expect a one-on-one meeting with me in which we identify areas of strength and weakness in their executive functioning skills and develop an action plan for helping them improve,” Woodson said. 

Previous student employees who were working as Peer Academic Consultants were notified of the staffing change in the Spring 2025 semester. However, Hillyard says UMW hopes to reintroduce peer consultants in the future

“It is our hope that in the future, we may be able to reinstate some of the Peer Academic Consultant positions within our new model to work with the Student Success Coach on campus outreach, programming, and peer-to-peer support,” he said.

Some students, such as senior nursing major Elizabeth McKeown, say that getting academic help from a professional may deter students from seeking academic support services.

“Adults can be intimidating, and you’re more likely to open up to someone your own age,” she said. 

Junior psychology major Cameron Gittings prefers peer advice as well.

“I need someone to break it down in a less professional way.” Gittings said, “and I feel like a peer does that rather than a professional.”

Senior theatre and conservation biology double major Emma Lehman echoes this sentiment, but acknowledges that advice from peers can be hit-or-miss.

“I feel it’s easier to be more honest [with a peer] about what you need,” Lehman said, “but sometimes I have a peer do it and I’m like, ‘oh, I wish you really knew what you were talking about.’”

Holstrom weighs the costs and benefits as well.

“I think it would be nice to be helped by professionals, but I wish that PACs were still around as well for students to get peer perspectives on issues,” she said.

According to Leah Schweitzer, director of the Speaking and Writing Center, other services provided by student consultants, including the SWC, are unaffected by this staff change. 

“There is no plan for professional consultants to be hired in the SWC, either to supplement or replace our peer consultants,” said Schweitzer.

Students seeking subject tutoring should refer to their individual academic departments for more information.