The Bryn Mawr 101: Office of Academic Support

Navigating college academics can be challenging—but you don’t have to do it alone. At Bryn Mawr, the Office of Academic Support empowers students with the tools, strategies, and guidance they need to thrive. Below, Assistant Dean and Director of Academic Support Rachel Heiser shares insights into the resources and services available to help students succeed at every stage of their academic journey.

Could you tell us a bit about the name and mission of your office?

The Office of Academic Support (OAS) brings together a vibrant cluster of peer academic leaders and professional staff who collaborate with each student to identify and implement strategies for effective learning, utilizing methods that leverage your unique strengths. Through fostering a culture of proactive self-efficacy, we help students grow as students and learners.   

The office is a physical location in the Campus Center that Bryn Mawr students can visit, but it also provides a set of resources, strategies, and skills you can carry with you. 

In what kinds of situations might a student come to your office for support?  

We see students in a wide variety of situations, and part of our focus is helping students navigate college resources. This means we are a great place to start, even if you cannot fully explain or understand your needs! We’re here to help untangle things for you.  

You may seek our support when navigating issues of time management or prioritizing assignments. Or you may stop by to build organizational skills or tools that will help you improve academic performance, schedule your day, or improve your focus while you’re studying. In general, any student can come to OAS when they are looking for support in navigating strategies and resources for success.  

What specific resources, services, or programs do you offer to students?  

Our office has four primary student-driven services to help support diverse needs across campus:  

• Academic Coaches are peer and professional academic coaches that help students build academic skills, develop growth mindsets, and create personalized strategies for academic success.  

• Peer Tutors offer targeted assistance in specific courses while helping you discover unique study strategies for different subjects. 

• Peer Advisors support students in navigating academic decisions such as course planning, major decisions, and general pathway guidance.  

• Resiliency and Success Mentors support students considering or returning from time away from the college and overcoming academic barriers. 

"We aren’t here to judge or shame you for missing a class or forgetting an assignment. We’ll partner with you to think through resources, strategies, and next steps."

Who are the staff members students might interact with, and how can someone get connected with your office?  

The easiest way to meet us is to stop by a workshop, tabling event, or our drop-in hours Monday-Friday from 3:00-4:00 PM during the semester.  Feel free to come in and introduce yourself, and let us know how we can help! You can also schedule to meet 1:1 with an academic coach, peer advisor, or peer tutor on our Office of Academic Support website.  
Academic coaches, peer tutors, peer advisors, and mentors will help students review their concerns and then identify concrete strategies and solutions. We aren’t here to judge or shame you for missing a class or forgetting an assignment. We’ll partner with you to think through resources, strategies, and next steps. 

What are the benefits of working with the Office of Academic Support—even for students who aren't struggling?  

Support isn’t just for when you’re struggling, and surviving isn’t always thriving. We’re here for all students, even if you aren’t in “trouble” academically. We can support systems you already have in place or help you assess how they’re working. Maybe you’re doing really well, but you’re worn out from the way you’re doing it; we can help with that!   

Are there any common misconceptions about academic support services that you’d like to clear up?  

You do not need to be struggling academically to utilize the office. We want all incoming students to know that we exist to help you thrive not just at Bryn Mawr but beyond. We will build a collaborative relationship with you to help you develop skills that will serve as a foundation both for success in college and life outside of the academic sphere. We want to help cheerlead your unique strengths, support you through navigating challenges, and explore tools with you to help build confidence. 

What’s one thing you wish every first-year student knew about your office?  

Despite the big name, the office isn’t scary. We have fairy lights and fidgets, and we’ll sit with you while you think through how to make your schedule work for you or approach the finish line on a big to-do!