Rio Salado College, home to Arizona's largest adult education programs, launched a new initiative last week to bring personalized coaching to more than 6,000 adult education students through a partnership with InsideTrack. This initiative aims to enhance student retention, persistence, and pathways to career success.
The two-year collaboration kicked off Feb. 11-13 with foundational coach training for 25 employees at Rio Salado. The trainees, all members of Rio Salado’s Adult Education department, will be able to immediately embed what they learned into connections and relationships with Rio Salado students. Five staff will receive additional support to become certified coach trainers. These certified trainers will lead future workshops for employees, enabling the college to sustain its coaching efforts long-term.
The partnership uses InsideTrack’s evidence-based coaching methods, which support learners in overcoming barriers to achieving their goals of completing their high school equivalency diplomas and moving into meaningful career pathways.
“This program aligns with our commitment to providing every learner with the tools and support they need to succeed,” said Rio Salado President Dr. Kate Smith. “By bringing research supported coaching into our adult education services, we’re helping students who often face challenges realize their full potential and take the next steps in their educational and career journeys.”
“Our collaboration with Rio Salado College is a testament to the power of coaching to transform lives by empowering social mobility,” said Ruth Bauer White, president at InsideTrack. “Together, we’re not only building capacity to support Arizona students today but also creating a sustainable coaching model for the future.”
“This initiative underscores the college’s ongoing dedication to innovation, access, and student success,” said Dr. Tamara Cochran, Rio Salado College’s Dean of Instruction and Community Development, which oversees the adult education division. “We look forward to seeing the positive impact it will have on Rio’s adult learners and sharing those stories with the community.”
Following this month’s foundational training, coaches will continue to receive support through virtual sessions to fine tune their efforts to effectively guide students toward program completion.
“As an instructor, Inside Track is an important pathway to welcome a high risk population of students back to education,” said Melinda Stanley, Rio Salado Instructor Senior, who took part in last week’s training. “This program builds a positive and productive environment that develops a student’s knowledge, skills, and beliefs to support them in the moment and into the future.”
About Rio Salado College
Rio Salado College is one of ten Maricopa Community Colleges and one of the largest online public community colleges in the nation, serving more than 35,000 students annually with more than 18,000 online in 50 states. Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Tempe, Arizona, Rio Salado College offers nearly 600 online classes, 135+ degree and certificate programs and general education courses. The college also provides support for dual enrollment, military and incarcerated students, and serves as the largest provider of adult education in Arizona.
About InsideTrack
InsideTrack is a mission-driven nonprofit that empowers learners to achieve their educational and career goals through coaching. Since 2001, InsideTrack has served over 3.2 million learners and partnered with more than 350 institutions to improve enrollment, retention, and completion. Learn more at www.insidetrack.org.