Academic Success, under the direction of Frances Cole, serves as a safety net for students facing various challenges—whether academic, personal, or related to mental health. For students dealing with attendance issues, falling grades, illness, family matters, or other personal struggles, Academic Success provides guidance, resources, and unwavering support. Through a network of dedicated advisors and campus resources, the team ensures that students have access to the help they need to succeed.

Frances Cole describes her approach as one of “giving students encouragement along with a dose of tough love when needed, allowing them to be their best selves.”

Patty Hale, Student Success Coordinator, is integral to this effort, and Frances credits her as a backbone of the program. “Patty has been doing this for a long time, and although she reports to me, we clearly work together as a team. I truly appreciate her.”

Hope Rogers, Student Success Navigator, assists students much like Frances, providing personalized support and coordinating campus activities and events. Her base is the Hawks Nest, a space designed to foster student engagement and success in a relaxed, welcoming environment.

A Vision for Student Success

Dr. Hunter Taylor, Associate Provost and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs, is enthusiastic about the transformation within Academic Success.

“Frances is the perfect choice to lead this initiative. She knows our students and cares deeply about their success. Frances has been with the university for many years and has built strong connections within the community. This role is not new to her—she’s done this in the past. She’s already hit the ground running and made incredible progress. Patty’s long history with the university and her relationships with students are invaluable assets to the team.”

Frances Cole’s Journey at Chowan

Frances Cole’s Chowan journey began in 1996 in Admissions, where she worked for nine years under Austine Evans, who now serves as Chairman of the Board of Trustees. She later transitioned to Student Life, where she coordinated campus activities and events and advised the Chowan yearbook production.

She then joined Academic Life, helping shape a comprehensive academic success program before moving to the university library in 2014. Driven by her passion for education, she earned her M.A. in Library Science in 2021.

Building a Culture of Support

Frances believes that student success is a shared responsibility across the Chowan community.

“It’s all about working together,” she said. “Watermark, our alert system, helps us track students who may need extra support. Faculty and coaches can create alerts if students miss classes or fall behind in their grades. Without this proactive approach, it would be much harder to identify students in need. The relationships between faculty, staff, and students are what truly keep them connected and supported.”

The Watermark system plays a pivotal role in this process. Alerts triggered by low attendance or academic struggles allow the Academic Success team to step in early—ensuring that students get the support they need before challenges become overwhelming.

However, Frances emphasizes the importance of timely record-keeping. “Faculty and coaches are crucial. Their relationships with students make all the difference, and accurate, up-to-date records are key to ensuring no student falls through the cracks.”

A New Focus for Academic Success

Previously part of life skills, Academic Success was given a distinct focus after assessing student needs. Now, Shannon Williams leads life skills, which offers courses designed to equip students with essential life skills.

The CU 101 program for incoming students aligns with Chowan’s mission, helping them develop effective communication, self-care, wellness, financial literacy, and professionalism.

Upperclassmen benefit from CU 301, which Shannon describes as a “boot camp” that includes resume building, mock interviews, and guidance on how to present oneself professionally in the workforce.

A Safety Net for Success

In the ever-expanding web of support at Chowan University, Academic Success acts as a vital safety net—catching students before they fall and guiding them through the challenges of college life. With a dedicated team, interconnected resources, and an unwavering commitment to student achievement, no student will ever have to face their struggles alone.