Explore a scalable academic coaching model tailored for doctoral students in  hybrid accelerated program. This session will share actionable strategies for success coaching, mental health support, and inclusive community building that improves learner retention, well-being, and engagement in digital learning environments.

This session presents an academic coaching framework designed to enhance student success and well-being in a blended accelerated occupational therapy program. This model humanizes digital learning through personalized coaching, emotional support, and inclusive strategies tailored to diverse learner needs.

Online students often report high levels of isolation, stress, and uncertainty, especially when navigating rigorous programs remotely. This session explores how a structured academic coaching program can address these challenges. Through coaching, integrated mental health support services, and proactive engagement practices, learners can thrive academically and emotionally in digital environments.

The session will explore four central components:

1. Academic Coaching: Practical tools and systems for personalized academic support, including scheduling strategies, accountability frameworks, academic planning, and proactive communication techniques.
2. Mental Health and Well-being Support Services: Techniques for integrating well-being check-ins, resource referrals, and emotional support, while respecting professional boundaries and learner autonomy.
3. Retention and Outcome Strategies in Digital Learning: Real examples of coaching interventions and their impact on engagement, academic performance, and persistence. This includes the use of early alerts, milestone mapping, and flexible response systems.
4. Supporting Diverse Learners and Inclusive Online Education: How inclusive coaching practices—like culturally responsive advising, universal design for learning (UDL), and trauma-informed communication—can be leveraged to build community and foster equity.

Interactive Component: 

To ensure participants engage actively with the content, the session includes a small-group activity using an Academic Coaching Scenarios guide. Each group will be assigned a realistic student situation and tasked with applying coaching strategies discussed in the session. Scenarios include common challenges such as student disengagement, emotional overwhelm, and imposter syndrome. Groups will identify appropriate coaching responses, role-play inclusive communication techniques, and share key takeaways during a facilitated debrief.

Participants will also receive a Customizable Checklist for Inclusive Coaching to guide implementation in their own programs. A visual framework diagram will illustrate how academic advising, mental health integration, retention strategies, and inclusive practices work in a continuous cycle to support student success and well-being in digital learning environments.

Lydia C Kite, OTD, MOT, OTR/L

Doctor at Bowling Green State University

Dr. Lydia Kite serves as the Director of Student Affairs and an Assistant Clinical Professor in the hybrid, accelerated Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) program at Bowling Green State University. She brings a diverse clinical background and a strong passion for fostering student success in blended learning environments.

Dr. Kite has practiced in a variety of clinical settings, including skilled nursing facilities, subacute and outpatient rehabilitation, and long-term acute care. She also has significant experience with nonprofit organizations, day programs, and group homes supporting adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD). Currently, she treats adults with orthopedic and neurological conditions in an outpatient clinic and consults for a company serving adults with I/DD.

She earned her post-professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (ppOTD) with a capstone project focused on developing sustainable partnerships with community day programs for adults with intellectual disabilities. Dr. Kite is a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) and serves as an onsite injury prevention specialist, reflecting her clinical interests in ergonomics and injury prevention.

In addition to her clinical expertise, Dr. Kite has a strong background in healthcare simulation, hybrid curriculum design, and integrating technologies to enhance student engagement and learning. Her innovative teaching practices support the development of competent, compassionate occupational therapy practitioners prepared to meet the evolving demands of healthcare.