Q: How much time does EduGuide require of faculty and staff?
A: Zero. Faculty and programs simply agree to add the link as part of their syllabi, program or scholarship expectations. If they choose, they can award participation points for EduGuide. Research also indicates that EduGuide increases student engagement and grades, so some faculty and staff have found it rewarding to encourage students on EduGuide.
Q: Why put EduGuide in course syllabi?
A: It’s the most equitable way to ensure as many students as possible each semester have access to EduGuide support. And it’s the most systematic way for students to build an EduGuide habit of supporting their peers to grow belonging and retention campuswide; students take twice as many steps to support each other when EduGuide is added to courses. EduGuide has been used in both undergraduate and graduate courses in everything from English to Engineering. It was even selected for a federal initiative to increase student persistence in STEM fields. (Sample Course Link: On our campus, we look out for each other. To equip you to succeed in this course and as a leader in your field, please complete at least 5 of your 10 EduGuide Activities this semester, which will also satisfy any of your other course or program EduGuide requirements.)
Q: How does EduGuide work for programs?
A: Scholarship, athletic, equity, residence life and other student support programs can follow and support their students on EduGuide to provide deeper coaching. Student participation is highest when students are assigned EduGuide activities in their course syllabi, enabling programs to focus on just coaching their selected students. But in some cases where courses weren’t available, TRIO, scholarship and other programs have successfully used requirements or rewards to engage students in EduGuide. (It can even be built into your application: “Our program will invest in you personally, equipping you to give back as a leader in our community. So as part of your application we’ll ask you to complete at least 1 EduGuide activity with us where we can learn how to support your success. Then each semester, we’ll ask you to do at least 5 of your 10 EduGuide Activities as we continue to coach your growth.”)
Q: What does it take to implement EduGuide?
A: EduGuide provides technical and implementation support. And you will need a couple of key staff to work with EduGuide as “Team Captains.” About one hour a week, Captains will review EduGuide activity reports and share information with any other staff using the program. About once a month, Captains will meet with your EduGuide Results Coach to review your EduGuide dashboard and plan continual improvement strategies. EduGuide’s grant also requires that additional key institutional leaders join twice yearly planning meetings and share insights from their EduGuide community model with the field.
A winner of the Next Gen Student Support Challenge, EduGuide is a nonprofit that has been funded by Kresge, Kellogg, Trellis, GTF, Lumina and other foundations to equip colleges and their partners to grow student success.
