Embedded Academic Support Services: Navigators, Tutors and Academic Coaches
What is Embedded Academic Support Services?
Embedded Academic Support Services are designed to provide students with personalized, in-course assistance to enhance their learning and academic success. These services include:
Tutoring: Expert tutors and supplemental instructors (SI) are integrated into select courses, offering targeted support during class sessions or through designated study groups. This ensures students receive immediate help with challenging concepts and assignments.
Course Navigators: Dedicated staff assist students with navigating course expectations, managing deadlines, and accessing campus resources. Navigators work closely with instructors to ensure students stay on track and have the tools needed for success.
Academic Coaching: Coaches provide one-on-one or group support to help students develop essential skills such as time management, study strategies, and goal setting. By addressing individual needs, coaches empower students to overcome obstacles and achieve their academic and personal goals.
These services are available in difference instructional modalities:
In addition, Navigators can assist students with using tools like Canvas 🐼, Zoom and other third party instructional technology and connecting them to college resources like tutoring, student services and library resources. Navigators strive to promote academic access and personalized services in your courses.
Overview of the Navigator Program
The Nature of Embedded Services
Embedded services are proactive, integrated support systems designed to meet students where they are—directly within their academic courses or learning environments. These services blend seamlessly with classroom instruction to provide real-time, targeted assistance that enhances learning and engagement. Key aspects include:
Proactive Support: Embedded services identify and address student needs early, offering help before challenges become barriers to success.
Collaboration with Faculty: Tutors, navigators, SIs, and coaches work closely with instructors to align support with course objectives, ensuring that assistance is relevant and impactful.
Tailored Assistance: These services are customized to meet the specific demands of individual courses and student cohorts, offering a personalized approach to learning.
Accessibility: By embedding support directly into the learning environment, students can access resources without the need to seek them out independently, reducing barriers and encouraging participation.
Skill Development: Beyond academic content, embedded services focus on building transferable skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and self-advocacy, equipping students for long-term success.
Program History and Current Data
The Navigator Program was launched in 2020 in response to the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Navigators were introduced to provide proactive, personalized support to students navigating the transition to online learning, connecting them with resources and helping them stay on track academically.
This program now supports all academic divisions across the college, while also catering to specialized populations such as students in developmental education, health professions, CTE programs, and QuickPath. By integrating targeted assistance directly into classrooms and utilizing proactive outreach strategies, Embedded Services effectively address academic challenges, enhance student engagement, and improve retention rates.
Navigators are strategically assigned to various courses, including:
High DFWI courses
Key Roles in the Navigator Program
Manager (s)
Serves as the primary point of contact and resource for Academic Support Embedded Services, including Navigators and instructors interested in the program.
Oversees the implementation and evaluation of embedded services to ensure alignment with institutional goals for retention and equity.
Coordinates with faculty and staff to identify courses and student populations that would benefit most from the program.
Navigator
Academic Support staff serve as the embedded service provider, offering personalized assistance to students within their assigned courses.
Help students navigate course expectations, manage challenges, and access campus resources to enhance their academic experience.
Proactively engage with students and faculty to improve retention and foster a supportive learning environment.
Course Instructor
The instructor of the course housing embedded services plays a collaborative role in the program’s success
Key responsibilities include:
Actively championing the program to foster student engagement.
Building a strong academic relationship with the embedded service to ensure seamless integration of services.
Providing input to align embedded service support with course objectives.
Academic Coaches
Offer individualized and group support to develop essential skills such as time management, goal setting, and effective study strategies.
Collaborate with Navigators and instructors to address student challenges proactively.
Use tools like Navigate 360 to conduct outreach and encourage participation in academic support initiatives.
Embedded Tutors and Supplemental Instructors
Provide in-course academic support, helping students understand challenging concepts and assignments.
Facilitate workshops and study groups to reinforce learning outside of class time.
Work closely with faculty and Navigators to address specific student needs.
Specialized Support Staff
Tailor services to meet the unique needs of specialized student populations, such as those in developmental education, QuickPath, and health professions.
Provide resources and strategies to support student persistence and success.
Outside-of-Course Responsibilities, Duties, and Expectations
Attend meetings with the manager(s) to train, discuss courses, and look opportunities to improve the program
Trained on Navigate360 through our Tutoring Center to summarize and outline activities, interactions and happenings within a course, including problems and solutions.
Consult regularly with Academic Support to coordinate additional support needed for students and courses
Desired Competencies or Skills
To ensure the success of the Embedded Services Program, professionals in key roles should possess the following competencies:
1. Communication Skills
Ability to clearly and effectively communicate with students, faculty, and staff.
Active listening skills to understand student needs and concerns.
Proficiency in delivering feedback constructively and encouragingly.
2. Collaboration and Teamwork
Strong interpersonal skills to build relationships with faculty, Navigators, and other support staff.
Ability to work collaboratively in a cross-functional team to align efforts with institutional goals.
Commitment to fostering a positive, inclusive learning environment.
3. Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking
Skill in identifying challenges students face and developing actionable solutions.
Ability to analyze course-specific needs and tailor support strategies accordingly.
Creativity in designing innovative support initiatives to enhance student success.
4. Cultural Competency and Equity Awareness
Understanding of diverse student backgrounds and needs, including those from underserved or specialized populations.
Commitment to promoting equity and inclusion in all interactions and services.
Sensitivity to cultural, linguistic, and academic differences.
5. Organizational and Time-Management Skills
Ability to manage multiple responsibilities effectively, such as coaching, tutoring, and outreach activities.
Proficiency in prioritizing tasks to meet deadlines while maintaining high-quality service.
Skill in organizing workshops, study groups, or academic interventions.
6. Technological Proficiency
Familiarity with student success platforms like Navigate 360 for outreach and engagement.
Ability to use learning management systems (LMS) to integrate services into courses.
Competence in using digital tools for communication, data tracking, and reporting.
7. Proactive and Initiative-Driven Approach
Willingness to reach out to students and faculty to offer support rather than waiting for requests.
Ability to anticipate potential challenges and act proactively to address them.
Commitment to continuous improvement and innovation in service delivery.
8. Student-Centered Mindset
Passion for empowering students and fostering their academic and personal growth.
Focus on developing students’ self-advocacy, resilience, and critical thinking skills.
Empathy and patience in understanding and addressing student challenges.
9. Flexibility and Adaptability
Openness to adjusting strategies based on course needs, student feedback, or institutional priorities.
Ability to adapt to changing circumstances, such as shifts in course delivery modes or student demographics.
10. Data-Informed Decision-Making
Competence in collecting and analyzing data to assess the effectiveness of embedded services.
Skill in using insights from data to refine support strategies and improve outcomes.
A faculty member can add a Navigator to a course by following these steps:
Select People on the navigation menu:
Click on the +People button:
Select and Enter the email address or X-ID of the Navigator, select Navigator from the Role dropdown, complete any remaining preferences, and select Next:
