Academic Coaching

Cultivating Growth, Collaboration & Student Empowerment

CMDI's academic coaching program fosters healthy habits, nurtures personal and professional growth, and is rooted in student-coach collaboration. Through coaching, we aim to empower students to take action and make changes to move them towards their goals.
 

Schedule an Academic Coaching Appointment

 

Students

I already have an academic coach:

Schedule in Buff Portal Advising

I want an academic coach: 

Submit a Self-Referral

 

Faculty and Staff

 

Refer a Student to Academic Coaching

Request an academic coaching workshop: 

Link to Form TBD

If you have any questions or difficulty signing up for coaching, please reach out to Sara Freix: sara.freix@colorado.edu with your name and student ID number.

Commitments & Expectations

 

Coaches commit to:

  • Focusing intently on our students' needs,
  • Listening with genuine interest and attention,
  • Empowering through proactive involvement,
  • Coauthoring value-driven strategies,
  • Demonstrating unwavering accountability and
  • Responding promptly and effectively.

This coaching service is for CMDI only. These CMDI students receive priority support:

 

 

Students must:

  • Approach the process with self-honesty and candor.
  • Be prepared to challenge preconceived notions, embrace goals, reshape habits and engage in skill-building that extends beyond their comfort zone.
  • Attend initial sessions prepared to collaboratively establish goals and a framework for the coaching relationship.
  • Utilize resources such as office hours, tutoring or support center visits to complement coaching efforts.
  • Schedule meetings with their academic advisor to discuss academic progress and degree planning.
  • Regularly check and respond promptly to communications sent to their CU Boulder email.
  • Show consideration for coaching structures, communication norms and any established boundaries.

 

 

Academic Coaching Study Hall

Mondays | 2:00–4:00 p.m. | ENVD 306
Thursdays | 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. | Buckingham Hall

Occurring weekly, Monday, September 21 through Thursday December 3rd

Need a place to focus? Come work alongside your peers and an Academic Coach!

Drop in to the Academic Coaching Study Hall to work quietly and independently on homework, exam prep, projects, or whatever you’ve been putting off. You don’t need an appointment, and you’re welcome to arrive late or leave early.

  • Work alongside other students
  • Get a little extra structure and accountability
  • Ask an Academic Coach questions or get support when you need it
  • Snacks, fidgets, silent timers & intention sheets provided!

Frequently Asked Questions

No, you will continue to work with your academic advisor. You should be working with your advisor to discuss advising topics, such as course selection, progress towards graduation, etc. 

 


 

No, academic coaches and tutors serve different roles. Tutors concentrate on helping students with particular subjects, academic coaches aim to collaborate with students on their overall approach to learning, studying, goal setting, etc. 

Meet the Coach

Sara Freix portrait

Sara Freix serves as CMDI's academic coach for all CMDI students. She holds a master's degree in educational psychology from Virginia Tech and has a background in coaching student-athletes at CU Boulder. Her coaching style emphasizes collaborative skill building and goal setting, incorporates a strengths-based lens and focuses holistically on the unique needs of the students.