The Some College, No Credential (SCNC) Challenge

By Sarah Lyman Kravits, LifeBound Director of Training and Certification | August 26, 2025

Coaching Addresses Success for this Audience

This summer, the National Student Clearinghouse released data that showed freshman enrollment rising — a statistic that can be a source of hope for higher education in a time when institutions are facing the long-predicted demographic cliff of fewer college-aged young people, driven in part by declining birthrates. However, as noted in this recent opinion article by Ruth Bauer, this is paired with a concerning increase in the population known as "some college, no credential," or SCNC — students who have earned some college credits but have stopped one or more times and have not been able to earn a certificate or diploma.

Supporting students to completion goes beyond addressing the obvious and significant financial strain of paying for higher education. SCNC students often face internalized messaging barriers, overwhelm that hampers time and task management, and difficulty gathering motivation to re-engage with learning. Academic coaching is positioned to play a pivotal role in helping students with these challenges.

Coaches, as you engage with SCNC students:

Invite them to consider what external and internal factors may challenge their persistence, beyond the work of learning itself.
Normalize the ebb and flow of motivation, energy, and focus, and ask them questions that help them build a tool kit of go-to strategies when they need a boost.
In a no-judgment space, encourage them to build an individualized time and task management plan that addresses their specific needs.

Institutional leadership needs to know how coaches support the shared goal of persistence and completion for students. Coaches, be vocal with your leadership about your efforts and impacts, and advocate for professional development for yourselves and other staff and faculty. LifeBound has opportunities for you to grow your ability to make a difference.

3-Day Virtual Coaching: Sept 5, 12, 19
Self-Paced Coaching: Choose your own dates!
LifeBound Coaching Certification: Sept 30 - Jan 13

To explore which option is right for you, visit www.lifebound.com.

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Make 2025 the Year Coaching Solves Higher Ed’s Toughest Challenges

Higher education is grappling with unprecedented challenges—rising mental health crises, the need for greater career readiness, and the unfortunate reality that many students struggle to secure meaningful employment or are let go shortly after starting. These issues affect not only individual students but also university outcomes like enrollment, retention, and long-term institutional success.

By equipping your staff with coaching training, you can help students build resilience, achieve meaningful employment, and address many challenges that universities face today. Allocate your budget toward LifeBound’s training options this year and plan ahead to ensure your institution is prepared to address these critical needs effectively. Let’s create a campus-wide culture of coaching and make an impact in 2025!

LifeBound offers multiple ways to train academic coaches, faculty, or staff:

3-Day Virtual Coaching Course

A dynamic, interactive course focused on practical coaching techniques.

September 5, 12, 19 - NEXT CLASS

Additional Class Dates:

October 10, 17, 24

November 7, 14, 21

December 11, 12, 15

Time: 3 days, 6 hours each

Format: Online

Cost: $1,500 per person. Contact us about group rates.

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Self-Paced Coaching Course for Academic, Personal, and Professional Success

A flexible, 15-hour program designed for those who want to deepen their skills at their own pace. The course dives deep into foundational and advanced coaching techniques as well as motivation, resilience, career readiness, cultural competence and coaching diverse student populations, and includes private sessions with a LifeBound Coach. Institutional packages are available for group training.

Choose Your Own Dates!

Time: 15 hours (self-paced), plus 3 hours with LifeBound Coach

Format: Online

Cost: $1,500 per person. If you’ve already completed the 1-Day or 3-Day program, email contact@lifebound.com to receive a discount code for $500 off the new Self-Paced Course. Contact us about group rates.

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LifeBound Certification Program

For coaches ready to take their skills to the next level, the LifeBound Certification Program offers an in-depth dive into advanced coaching practices and strategies, culminating in certification as a LifeBound Coach.

Spring, Summer, and Fall Cohorts

Summer 2025 Cohort (in progress), Fall 2025 Cohort (Sep 30 - Jan 13)

Format: Online or in-person as available

Cost: $5,000 per person

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Let’s make 2025 a year of transformation for your institution and the students you serve!

Learn More at lifebound.com