What can a Peer Academic Coach do for you?
Peer Academic Coaches (PACs) are peers who provide one-on-one consultations that focus on developing successful academic skills and habits. Consultation topics include:
- Time management
- Study skills and test preparation
- Note taking and reading strategies
- Academic goal-setting
- Organizing your college life
How do I connect with a Peer Academic Coach?
Peer Academic Coaches are currently available by appointment!
Please use the following link to schedule an appointment with any of our PACs:
Peer Academic Coaching Frequently Asked Questions
How Does Peer Academic Coaching Work?
What does a typical appointment look like?
Appointments are welcoming and casual! After coming to Room 107 in the SMASH building, you’ll meet the PAC you made an appointment with! The PAC will usually start by asking you why you wanted to meet, and then offer some solutions or an alternate perspective. Appointments are solution based, but they also meet you where you are at! PACs are not here to make sure that you are the perfect student, but instead want to help you accomplish what you want to at Boise State.
Can a PAC provide subject-specific tutoring?
No, Peer Academic Coaches provide general academic support, rather than subject-specific support. You can find different types of tutoring and subject specific help on AASC’s Academic Support Services website.Â
If you have additional questions about where or how to find help, you can email academicsupport@boisestate.edu or meet with a PAC to help you find available tutoring services and assist you with connecting with your instructor during their office hours.
What do I need to prepare for my appointment?
Nothing! If you want to feel more prepared, you can write specific questions you have for your PAC or reflect on what goals you have for your appointment.
My appointment time is 60 minutes. Do I have to stay for the whole hour?
No, but you are welcome to use the full hour! Most appointments are 20-30 minutes and can be as short as you need.
Peer Academic Coaching or Academic Advising?
I have questions about my academic progress, can I meet with a PAC about what classes to take?
No. Peer Academic Coaches provide support related to general academic skills like time management, organization, and study strategies. They are here to help you tackle the work you do in your classes, but do not advise students on which courses to take.
Please make an appointment with your assigned Academic Advisor to discuss your degree plan and academic progress.
Will meeting with a PAC get rid of my Required Advising (RAD) Hold?
Required Advising (RAD) Holds can only be removed by your Academic Advisor. During your first semester, please make your Required Advising appointment with your assigned Academic Advisor or College Advising office.
(Our PACs would suggest making your RAD appointment at your first opportunity!)
Is it free to meet with a PAC?
YES!
Meeting with a PAC is free for all students enrolled at Boise State.
Additional Resources
Can I use PAC resources without making an appointment?
Yes! Physical copies of Academic Support resources – including handouts, step-by-step guides, and study tools – are available without an appointment.
Stop by the Advising and Academic Support Center in the SMASH Building and grab them from the whiteboard in the AASC lobby on the first floor or from the handout spinner in SMASH 107. Or you can find additional resources in the file stands of the Bronco Learning Commons in Albertsons Library.
Information for Instructors
As an instructor, can I require students to meet with a Peer Academic Coach?
No. Instead we encourage you to recommend that students make an appointment with a PAC by sending them to this webpage.
At this time we do not have the capacity to support large groups of students with a requirement to meet with a PAC. Additionally, when students are required to participate in coaching, they often view the appointment as a punitive checkbox that needs to be completed and are not invested in the outcomes. Therefore, you can always recommend students meet with a PAC but it cannot be a requirement.
Can PACs come to my classroom?
Absolutely! PACs are available to provide short workshops in your class upon request.
Please use our Classroom Request Form to make an official request and view interactive topics that PACs can deliver to your students.
Meet our Peer Academic Coaches
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Abbie Richards
Peer Academic Coach
Hi there!
My name is Abbie Richards, and I’m a sophomore here at BSU. I want to be a physical therapist, so I’m majoring in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Rehabilitation Science. In my free time, I’m a martial artist and youth instructor, I play piano and bake cakes, and I work with a first aid training business. I also love hanging out with my friends/family and my dog, Daisy. Some of my biggest strengths are creating systems for time management, organization, and studying, though I’m excited to support you in any way I can!SMASH 107Hi there!
My name is Abbie Richards, and I’m a sophomore here at BSU. I want to be a physical therapist, so I’m majoring in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Rehabilitation Science. In my free time, I’m a martial artist and youth instructor, I play piano and bake cakes, and I work with a first aid training business. I also love hanging out with my friends/family and my dog, Daisy. Some of my biggest strengths are creating systems for time management, organization, and studying, though I’m excited to support you in any way I can! -
Allie Hampton
Peer Academic Coach
Hi! My name is Allie and I am a Junior majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies. My disciplines are English Literature, Communication, and Creative Writing. AND a bonus minor in Environmental Studies. I am from Meridian, ID and on campus, I am the Team President for the Talkin’ Broncos Speech and Debate team! Otherwise, I love to read, knit, and spend time with my friends and family! Since I have a lot of areas of study, I have strengths in many different study tactics, as well as tips for building successful study habits. I also specialize in time management skills, and am happy to work with you about any academic needs!
SMASH 107Hi! My name is Allie and I am a Junior majoring in Interdisciplinary Studies. My disciplines are English Literature, Communication, and Creative Writing. AND a bonus minor in Environmental Studies. I am from Meridian, ID and on campus, I am the Team President for the Talkin’ Broncos Speech and Debate team! Otherwise, I love to read, knit, and spend time with my friends and family! Since I have a lot of areas of study, I have strengths in many different study tactics, as well as tips for building successful study habits. I also specialize in time management skills, and am happy to work with you about any academic needs!
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Molly McMulkin
Peer Academic Coach
Hi Everyone! My name is Molly McMulkin and I’m a Senior here at Boise State. I’m majoring in Spanish with a minor in psychology. I’m from Spokane, Washington and love it here in Boise. In my free time, I like baking, traveling, and being outdoors, especially swimming and camping. As a student, I understand how overwhelming navigating college life can be. I’m excited to connect with students and provide support as a Peer Academic Coach!
SMASH 107Hi Everyone! My name is Molly McMulkin and I’m a Senior here at Boise State. I’m majoring in Spanish with a minor in psychology. I’m from Spokane, Washington and love it here in Boise. In my free time, I like baking, traveling, and being outdoors, especially swimming and camping. As a student, I understand how overwhelming navigating college life can be. I’m excited to connect with students and provide support as a Peer Academic Coach!
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Jackson Drown
Peer Academic Coach
Hi everyone! My name is Jackson and I am a first year graduate student pursuing a master’s in Mathematics with an emphasis in Education. During my time in undergrad at Boise State, I studied Mathematics, Computer Science, and Spanish and worked as a Learning Assistant supporting math, physics, and computer science courses. In my time away from school, I love playing video games with my friends, running, reading, and being mediocre at watersports. I’m looking forward to continuing to connect with students while assisting them as a PAC!
SMASH 107Hi everyone! My name is Jackson and I am a first year graduate student pursuing a master’s in Mathematics with an emphasis in Education. During my time in undergrad at Boise State, I studied Mathematics, Computer Science, and Spanish and worked as a Learning Assistant supporting math, physics, and computer science courses. In my time away from school, I love playing video games with my friends, running, reading, and being mediocre at watersports. I’m looking forward to continuing to connect with students while assisting them as a PAC!