Early Alert and your Academic Achievement Specialists

Academic Achievement Specialists (AAS) are professional staff members within the Center for Academic Engagement (CAE) who are trained to help students identify and overcome academic and personal obstacles that hinder their educational progress. AAS also helps students understand how to navigate the college and connects them to GTCC resources that improve academic performance, facilitate a smooth transition to college, and enhance overall success. 

GTCC faculty collaborate with the AAS team through an Early Alert system.  Alerts occur when faculty believe a student could benefit from additional support in their educational journey.  When a student receives an alert, AAS also receives notification that the alert has been issued and will contact each student and invite them for an appointment. During the meeting, AAS will:

  1. Review the alert.
  2. Reflect on strengths, struggles, skills, and aspirations
  3. Determine a course of action to improve habits and circumstances. Co-create a plan to bring actions to reality.

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What is an Early Alert?

An Early Alert is a caring referral from a faculty member regarding a student’s academic performance or personal adjustment. Once issued, students receive an email informing them that their instructor is concerned about their class performance and that an AAS will contact them to schedule a meeting.  Your AAS is here to encourage and support you.  Early Alerts are not punitive. 

Reasons for Early Alerts

  • Low Grades – quizzes, homework, tests, etc.
  • Attendance Concerns – including online login activity
  • Inconsistent Assignment Submissions/Participation
  • Referrals – Writing, technology, language barrier, & personal concerns
  • Praise – Academic performance & showing improvement

Student’s Responsibility

  • Respond to all AAS communications. Share challenges they are facing and follow through on the AAS’ recommendations.
  • Communicate progress on their success plan and recommended tasks/activities. 
  • Contact the course instructor(s) when they have questions about assignments or performance.
  • Connect with tutors either in-person or online. Check the CAE Canvas Page for more details. 
  • Before withdrawing from courses, discuss options and recommendations with their AAS, instructors, advisors, and the Financial Aid Office (if applicable).

Early Alert and your Academic Achievement Specialist FAQs

Academic Achievement Specialists (AAS) are professional staff members within the Center for Academic Engagement (CAE) who are trained to help students identify and overcome academic and personal obstacles that hinder their educational progress. AAS also helps students understand how to navigate the college and connects them to GTCC resources that improve academic performance, facilitate a smooth transition to college, and enhance overall success.

One or more of your instructors are concerned about your performance in class and wants to make sure you receive additional help to succeed. Alerts are issued so that an AAS can contact and offer you support.  You are not in trouble.  We are here to help!

An AAS can explain the alert, reflect with you on why the alert was issued, discuss strategies to help you get back on track, and assist you with developing an academic success plan. An AAS can lead you through a self-evaluation process to help you strengthen skills and habits like time management, goal setting, note taking, test taking, test anxiety, reading textbooks, understanding syllabi, test prep, and other strategies. They can also help you understand class requirements, communicate with instructors, and link you to campus services like Tutoring, Counseling, Titan Link, Veterans Services, and other resources that help you succeed in college.

Contact information for your assigned AAS is included in all outreach emails you receive from your AAS. It is also located in the appointment request email and in the appointment reminder.

Not always. Your instructor believes that by providing you with information on your class performance and connecting you with an AAS, you may be able to improve your academic progress.

Your Early Alert case will remain open until you and your AAS have discussed the alert and next steps or until the course ends. Your AAS wants you to succeed and can work with you to determine strategies and offer resources that can help you improve. It is in your best interest to respond.

No, the alert itself does not impact your financial aid.  However, it does provide an opportunity for you to take action to prevent negative consequences that failing grades can have on your financial aid eligibility.

Yes. However, you are expected to respond to your AAS appointment request. Meetings can take place in person, virtually via Microsoft Teams, or by phone. If you request a virtual appointment via Microsoft Teams, you will receive a follow-up from your AAS with meeting information.

No, it is not a part of your transcript. An alert is an opportunity to address academic or personal challenges impacting your performance and it is up to you to make improvements. An alert provides an opportunity for you to communicate with your instructor and your AAS to develop a success plan.

No, your AAS is not able to support you through course selection nor registration.  Your AAS can help you plan for a successful semester after you've registered for classes. You can find information about your Faculty Advisor in Navigate or Self-Service. (May -- August, all students are advised through the Student Success Center.)

Academic Achievement Specialists FAQs

Academic Achievement Specialists are professional GTCC staff members trained to help students recognize and resolve academic and personal obstacles that hinder academic success. Achievement Specialists also help students understand how to navigate the college and connects students to GTCC resources that help improve academic performance, adjustment to college, and overall success.

One or more of your instructors are concerned about your performance in class and wants to make sure you receive additional help to succeed. Alerts are  issued so that an Achievement Specialist can contact and offer you support.

Contact information for your Achievement Specialist can be found in the appointment request email and in the appointment reminder you receive. You can also find their information in Navigate under the appointments section by the My Team tab.

They explain the alert, reflect with you on why the alert was issued, discuss strategies to help you get back on track, and assist you with developing an academic success plan. Achievement Specialists lead you through a self-evaluation process so you can strengthen skills and habits like time management, goal setting, note taking, test taking, test anxiety, reading textbooks, understanding syllabi, test prep and other strategies.

Achievement Specialists can also help you understand class requirements, communicate with instructors, and link you to  campus services like tutoring, counseling, Titan Link, veterans’ affairs  and other resources that help you succeed in college.

  • They are certified coaches and resource professionals who help you work through challenges that college students face.
  • They guide you to campus services and resources.
  • They help you communicate with instructors and help you arrange tutoring, counseling, Titan Link services, Financial Assistance, and other GTCC services.
  • They can also provide activities to build your academic skills and habits like time management, test anxiety, problem-solving, and study strategies.
  • Achievement Specialists also facilitate personal development workshops called Titan Up.