Bears First

Bears First is designed to help students entering UNC with below a 3.0 high school GPA establish a strong first and second year of academic success by providing personalized coaching and advising, facilitating the development of individual academic success plans, and formalized connections to campus resources and supports.

Bears First participants are identified through the Office of Admissions and many of the students classify as first generation. Participation in Bears First establishes a foundation for success at UNC through a structured approach to personalized proactive coaching and advising in an inclusive and caring environment.

Academic Coaching

Academic coaching takes a holistic view of student support. During appointments, academic success coaches will check in on academic progress and see how classes are going.

Additionally, our coaches are able to help students get connected to support services on campus such as the Counseling Center, the Disability Resource Center, Cultural and Resource Centers, and Tutoring.

The academic success coaches in our office can get you connected with the Office of Financial Aid if you have any questions or need assistance in filing your FAFSA forms.

Your Success Coach

You are expected to meet with your success coach regularly. At the beginning of the semester, you will create an academic success plan with your success coach.

It is important that you check your BearMail once a day to make sure you are receiving important information from our office as well as other areas within UNC.

If you would prefer being paired with a specific success coach or want to change coaches, please let one of us know and we will assist you in the process.