UCF allocates $3.5 million to new advising model

UCF announces $3.5 million allocation toward a new student advising model, "Academic Success Coaching," aimed to increase graduation rates in undergraduate degree programs.

Dr. Paul Dosal, senior vice president for Student Success, sent the announcement to students through email on Thursday.

"Although we have dedicated teams of advisors and coaching experts working diligently across the university to help you, we know there has been significant demand for more advisors," Dosal said in the email.

This month UCF will start implementing the new model to focus on transitioning current advisors to be titled "Academic Success Coaches," according to the announcement. The intention behind changing plans is consistent high-quality service, Dosal said in the email.

This new role will merge responsibilities of advising staff to one centralized role, according to the UCF Success and Advising Office. These new academic coaches will remain in their existing colleges.

UCF Student Success and Advising originally announced in October 2023 that the project is aimed to help increase UCF graduation rates from the current 54.2% to 65%.

UCF Student Success and Advising said the project will lead to the hiring of additional staff with some salary adjustments already taking place last year. This transition is aimed to be completed by March 2024, according to the website.

"Providing you with timely access to academic advice and support is a top priority for UCF," Dosal said in the announcement.