Tutoring and Academic Engagement Center
A Division of Undergraduate Education and Student Success
What is Peer Academic Coaching?
Academic coaching is a service that offers personalized, one-on-one support to help you clarify goals, overcome challenges, and build confidence as a learner. Coaching appointments are individualized, so discussions incorporate your unique experiences, perspectives, and personal goals. The aim of coaching is to help you reach your full potential.
Why get coached?
Maybe you:
- want to maintain knowledge from courses for your future career
- want to improve your GPA
- study for many hours but aren’t seeing your efforts reflected in grades
- feel overwhelmed by course content
- want to address a challenge like procrastination or distraction
How can Academic Coaching help me?
Set Goals
Identify exactly what you want to accomplish.
Take Action
Create a plan of action to achieve your goals.
Learn Effective Study Strategies
Discover new, research-supported strategies.
Stay Accountable
Time Management
Learn ways to balance your life in and out of the classroom.
Find Campus Resources
Explore resources that can support your academic and personal goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What can I expect during an appoinment?
Each academic coach meeting is informed by you and guided by the coach. Typically an appointment starts with identifying your goals or an area of focus. For example, you may want to work on focus, address procrastination, or identify ways to earn an A in your chemistry course. The coach will ask questions, listen, and then work with you to develop an action plan.
You may find it beneficial to meet with an academic coach multiple times to build a stronger sense of accountability, address any challenges that arise during the term, or continually refine practices to further your progress at UO.
Should I meet with a peer or professional coach?
Peer academic coaches are other UO students. They specialize in targeted skills such as note-taking, creating a weekly study schedule, or learning a new study strategy and provide a student-perspective of implementing and adapting study strategies. TAEC’s peer academic coaches also facilitate our accountability groups: Momentum Sessions.
Professional academic coaches are staff in the TAEC. As professional staff, they have a deeper knowledge of educational psychology, pedagogy, and the ins and outs of UO as an institution. You may want to meet with a professional coach if you are addressing larger scale goals or recurring challenges and aren’t sure how to address them.
There is no wrong choice in choosing whether to schedule with a peer or professional academic coach—peers and professionals often refer students to one another!
How do I schedule an appointment?
All appointments with academic coaches are scheduled through Navigate360 web portal or app. After you’ve logged in you’ll need to select:
- Select the department/college: “Tutoring and Academic Support”
- Topic: “Peer Academic Coaching” or “Professional Academic Coaching”
- Pick a date.
After that, you can find a time that works for your schedule and choose if you want to meet in-person or on Zoom (note: some meetings may be offered in-person only).
Why join a Momentum Session?
Momentum sessions are weekly group meetings run by peer academic coaches. This is a great space to “body-double” while getting tips and tricks on effective study practices. As a group, you will learn from each other, sharing resources and strategies, while celebrating accomplishments and successes!
To get the most out of the group environment, we ask that students sign up in advance and commit to attending each meeting.
Joining a Momentum Session will help you:
- connect with peers
- practice and learn impactful study habits
- have dedicated time to work on your tasks
Meet our Team!
Kenyon
He/Him/His
About Kenyon
Greetings! My name is Kenyon, and I am one TAEC’s professional coaches. I have a background in chemistry and love the psychology of learning. Higher education had a profound impact on me, but I struggled to find balance in my life as a student. I wish I had had the support of an academic coach back then! It’s one of the things that brings me to this profession! Outside of my work life, I enjoy reading, running, and climbing.
Make an appointment with Kenyon (coming soon).
Jessica
She/Her/Hers
About Jessica
Hello! My name is Jessica and I am a learning coach with the TAEC. I earned an Bachelors of Arts degree in English and Philosophy from Lycoming College, and a Masters of Special Education from Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania (Mansfield University). Before coming to the University of Oregon, I worked in student academic success with Penn State University, Saint Francis University, and Oregon State University. Previous to my career in higher education, I was a special education teacher. I am very excited to join a new team of professionals and be a part of the UO community! In my free time, I enjoy swimming, hiking, and cooking new recipes!
Make an appointment with Jessica (coming soon).
Elaine
Sher/Her/Hers
About Elaine
Hi y’all! My name is Elaine, and I am a learning specialist here at TAEC. I’ve worked, taught, researched and studied at the University of Texas at Austin and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and now I am so excited to officially be a Duck! I am super familiar with the experience of having multiple responsibilities all while trying to figure out what you want to do with your life (or even just your weekend.) Navigating that journey informs the way I listen, coach and build solutions. Outside of my work life, I love teaching yoga, starting new hobbies and oscillating on the oxford comma.
Jessica
She/Her/Hers
About Sally
Hello! My name is Sally, and I am an Academic Coach with the TAEC. I have spent most of my career working with students ranging from middle school through graduate school, both inside and outside of the classroom. I have bachelor’s degrees in English, Education, and Sociology, and a Master’s in English, and my experiences in these programs have inspired a love of engaging with students from many walks of life in furthering their success and overcoming obstacles. I’m excited to do this meaningful work at the University of Oregon as part of the TAEC. In my free time, I like reading, hiking, and finding new bands to enjoy.
Make an appointment with Sally (coming soon).
Annika
Any Pronouns
About Annika
Hey there! My name is Annika (any pronouns) a 3rd year Psychology and Media Studies student with hopes of becoming a therapist someday. I was born and raised in Redwood City, California and Bend, Oregon. When I’m not studying or in class you can find me consuming various forms of media (Movies, TV shows, Books: you name it I’ve probably seen it or heard of it), getting outside with friends, and taking millions of photos with my beloved film camera. As someone who moved around a lot as a child, I totally understand the challenges and excitement a new experience can bring, because I’ve been there myself. Don’t hesitate to schedule an
appointment, I’d love to get to know you! 🙂
Make an appointment with Annika.
Arielle
She/Her/Hers
About Arielle
Hello! My name is Arielle. I use she/her pronouns! I am a third-year student, majoring in Global studies with a concentration in diplomacy peace and conflict studies, additionally, I am minoring in Korean. I am currently hoping to work as a foreign affairs officer or a political analyst. In my free time, I love to dance, listen to music, read, and crochet (nothing to crazy). I know college can be rather overwhelming, but hopefully I can help! Please feel free to reach out and set up an appointment. I can’t wait to meet you!
Make an appointment with Arielle
Kailey
She/Her/Hers
About Kailey
Hi! My name is Kailey I use she/her pronouns! I am from the beautiful Portland area, and I am a junior majoring in education foundations with minors in special education and nonprofit management. When I am not studying or in class, I love to paddleboard on the river, hike to waterfalls, have dance parties or getting involved in campus clubs. I am excited about meeting you so do not hesitate to make an appointment with me!
Make an appointment with Kailey.
Joining a Momentum Session will help you:
- connect with peers
- practice and learn impactful study habits
- have dedicated time to work on your tasks
As a group, you will learn from each other, sharing resources and strategies, while celebrating accomplishments and successes!
Starting Week 2, each Momentum Session will have 50 minutes to meet each week in the Tutoring and Academic Engagement Center, on the 4th floor of Knight Library.
Want to join a group for Fall 2025? Registration won’t open until Week of Welcome – but sign up to be reminded!
Tutoring and Academic Engagement Center
1501 Kincaid St
University of Oregon
Eugene, OR 97403
Office: Knight Library, 4th Floor
P: 541-346-3226
engage@uoregon.edu