How Coaching and Peer Support Can Help Colleges Boost Student Retention Without Overloading Counseling Centers

The Student Retention Crisis Colleges Can't Ignore

Every year, thousands of students walk onto campus filled with potential and quietly disappear before they reach graduation.

According to Mission Graduate, the dropout rate for college undergraduates in the U.S. is approximately 32.9%, and for first-year college students specifically, the rate is 19%. Mental health remains a major contributing factor. In fact, a recent study by the American College Health Association reported that over 60% of students experienced overwhelming anxiety, and nearly 1 in 3 reported depression that made functioning difficult.

While most institutions have invested in counseling centers, they’re stretched thin. Waitlists can be weeks long, and the stigma around seeking help still runs deep, especially among international students, first-generation students, and those from marginalized communities.

So the question isn’t: "Do students need support?" It’s: "How can colleges offer that support sustainably without burning out their staff or inflating budgets?"

Why Traditional Counseling Isn’t Enough

Counseling centers play a vital role but they’re reactive by design. Students usually turn to therapy after they’ve hit a breaking point. And while some thrive in clinical care, many students don’t see their struggles as "serious enough" to seek help or they simply don’t feel comfortable.

We need solutions like ShineQuo that don't replace counseling but complement it by offering coaching and peer mentorship that addresses students' emotional and academic well-being proactively.

The Power of Coaching and Peer Support

Coaching Builds Proactive Resilience

Our one-on-one coaching programs help students:

• Set goals and stick to them

• Navigate academic pressure

• Build emotional intelligence

• Develop routines that prevent burnout

Coaching is not therapy but it’s a powerful intervention before therapy is needed. And it’s incredibly effective for helping students who are stuck in cycles of procrastination, feeling like they don’t fit in, or feeling alone.

"Students often know what they should do they just need help actually doing it."

Who Benefits Most?

ShineQuo is especially impactful for:

• First-year students adjusting to the college transition

• International students navigating cultural adaptation

• First-gen students lacking built-in support networks

• Students struggling silently, whether they’re feeling overwhelmed by time management, stressed about finances, or falling behind in academics who won’t walk into a counseling office but need someone in their corner

What’s in It for Colleges?

Here’s why our partner institutions love working with ShineQuo:

1. Improved Retention & Career Readiness

Coaching and mentoring programs not only improve student retention but also prepare students for life beyond college. According to InsideTrack, students who received coaching were 12% more likely to persist year over year. Additionally, the Gallup-Purdue Index found that students who had a mentor during college were more than twice as likely to be engaged at work and to thrive in their overall well-being. ShineQuo is helping to build a campus culture of coaching, leadership, and resilience that extends into students' future careers.

2. Reduced Pressure on Counseling Centers

By stepping in early, ShineQuo reduces the number of students needing crisis support, giving college counselors more capacity to focus on high-need cases. This is critical at a time when 92.7% of college counseling center staff report experiencing burnout, with even higher rates among therapists of color, according to the Fitzhugh Mullan Institute at GWU. ShineQuo helps ease this burden by offering proactive coaching and mentoring, serving as a vital first layer of support.

3. Enhancing Faculty Impact Through Student Engagement

Faculty members are often the first to notice when students are disengaged or falling behind, but they aren't always equipped to address the root causes. ShineQuo helps by equipping students with tools for emotional regulation, time management, and confidence, leading to better class participation, stronger academic performance, and healthier student-faculty relationships.

4. Cost-Effective & Scalable

Our hybrid model combining digital tools, coaching, and peer engagement is designed to scale. You don’t need to hire more counselors just to support more students.

What Makes ShineQuo Different?

Unlike generic apps or content platforms, ShineQuo offers:

• Real human connection with certified coaches and relatable peers

• Accountability support to keep students on track with their goals

• Personalized pathways based on students’ needs and preferences

• Proactive engagement through nudges, check-ins, and workshops

We add ShineQuo into your campus in a way that fits what you're already doing, so students can get help in the places they already are.

Ready to Future-Proof Your Retention Strategy?

If your goal is to help more students succeed without overwhelming your staff, ShineQuo is your partner.

Let’s talk about how we can:

• Pilot a program for your incoming class

• Support your at-risk populations

• Co-create a wellness culture that fuels academic persistence

Schedule a strategy session with our team today or visit shinequo.com/partners to learn more.

Because when students feel supported - they stay, they grow, and they thrive.

ShineQuo is a proactive wellness platform that combines life coaching , community building and personalized resources to help students thrive in college and beyond.