E-COACH: a paradigm shift for efficient advising

The College of Engineering has become a leader at Texas Tech University in the development of software tools to help students succeed in college and to make the advising process more efficient and effective. The process has a web-based focus and is quickly evolving into an electronic coach, E-COACH. Access is free. E-COACH serves three primary education functions: general education assessment and management, quick advising, and programs assessment. The first function is especially useful to high school students, perspective students visiting a college campus, and students on campus who are undecided about a major or who struggle in their academic work. This tool and related work is causing a paradigm shift in the advising process on campus, especially in the College of Engineering. Both advising quality and efficiency are improving. This work seems to be increasing both recruitment and retention of students. Work to date has focused on undergraduate engineering education.