CFAA
Academic Coaching: The VIB Experience
The CFAA's Academic Coaching Program welcomes students to become a VIB (Very Important Buccaneer) through individualized peer coaching. VIBs are paired with Academic Coaches who meet weekly to provide support and tips on everything from transitioning to ETSU to succeeding inside and outside the classroom. Academic Coaches also help students discover their strengths and explore their “why,” thereby increasing self-confidence and motivation. VIBs can be assured that their Academic Coaches have their backs. #MeetYourPerson #GotYourBack
Sign-up to become a VIB today!
Fall 2025 Academic Coaching Sign-Up Form
ETSU First-Time Students
First Years
Congratulations and welcome to ETSU! As a first-year student, the foundation of your VIB Experience is the Academic Coach you are paired with. Academic Coaches are talented upper level ETSU students who can help your transition to ETSU and college life. Meeting regularly with your Coach, you will explore your strengths, develop strong study habits, set goals, get organized, learn about ETSU basics, and connect with ETSU resources and organizations to get your first semester off to a strong start! #MeetYourPerson #GotYourBack
ETSU Continuing Students
2nd-Semester Freshman, Sophomore, Junior, Senior
You have successfully completed your first, second, third, or more semesters! You
are familiar with ETSU and have made connections. Now it's time to explore more. Meeting
regularly with your Coach, you will prepare for your future by exploring multiple
career plans and connect with your “why” to maintain your focus and motivation! The
end is in sight and your Coach will be there to continue to guide, support, and connect
you. #MeetYourPerson #GotYourBack
Transfer, Returning (Adult) & Graduate Students
Welcome to ETSU! We are excited for you to discover all that ETSU has to offer. Your
VIB Experience is specially designed to help you connect to ETSU while preparing for
the future. #MeetYourPerson #GotYourBack
- Financial Aid (Transfer Students)
- Transfer Connect (resource for transferring from the community college to ETSU)
- Transfer and Adult Services
- ETSU Graduate School
- Graduate Student Success Specialist
First-Generation Students
Congratulations and welcome to ETSU! As the first one in your family to attend college, you are joining the approximately 4000 other first-generation students in making a life-changing decision to be the first one in your family to earn a Bachelor’s degree! We are honored to be a part of your VIB Experience. You will be paired with an Academic Coach who will provide you with individualized support to help you navigate college, make connections, and become part of the ETSU community. Your VIB Experience is a great way to stay on track, reduce stress, and increase your confidence in the college environment! #MeetYourPerson #GotYourBack
Out-of-Area (Eastern Tennessee) Students
Welcome to ETSU and the Tri-Cities area of Eastern Tennessee. As you are settling in to your new home, your VIB Experience will help set you up for success here at ETSU. Through regular meetings with your Academic Coach, you will learn about ETSU basics, connect with ETSU resources and organizations, get involved and make friends, get organized, develop strong study habits, and more. #MeetYourPerson #GotYourBack
Veteran and Military Affiliated Students
Welcome to ETSU and thank you for your service to our nation! You truly are a VIB! ETSU offers multiple services to veteran students and one of these is academic coaching. Your Academic Coach will provide you with individualized support to help you navigate college, make connections with extracurricular groups, professional groups, the Veterans Affairs office and any veteran-based groups, and assist you in becoming a part of the ETSU community. Your VIB Experience is a great way to stay on track, reduce stress, and increase your confidence in the college environment! We are privileged to be a part of your VIB Experience as one of our honored veteran students! #MeetYourPerson #GotYourBack
Access ETSU
Access ETSU is a two-year inclusive postsecondary education program at ETSU that provides young adults with intellectual disabilities a college experience similar to their same age peers. As a student receiving services from Access ETSU, you are a VIB! Paired with an Academic Coach, your customized VIB experience includes vocational preparation and support for your courses. #MeetYourPerson #GotYourBack
If you have questions, feel free to reach out by email (learning@etsu.edu) or telephone (423-439-7111). You can also stop by the CFAA on the first floor of the library in 144.