What is Catalyze?
Catalyze is a collaboration between the non-profit organization, College Possible, and Luther College.
Catalyze utilizes near-peer (recent Luther graduates) coaches who work at Luther and interact directly with students who live and study here. Catalyze coaches support students as a resource for questions and concerns. They support students to get the most out of their four years, and actively build a community of support which is invested in student success.
Sign up today!
Sign up to have a Catalyze Coach work one-to-one with you! If you have any questions, please reach out to catalyze@luther.edu.
Frequently Asked Questions
College Possible is a non-profit that has partnered with Luther College to provide near-peer (recent Luther graduate) coaches for Pell-eligible and/or first-generation college students (including international students). College Possible works with about 30,000 students each year across the U.S.
Participation provides you with a near-peer coach who will accompany you through your college journey at Luther. Having graduated from Luther, your coach can help you navigate campus policies and procedures, complete the FAFSA each year, connect you to campus resources, assist you with time management skills and provide encouragement. Your coach is there for you, no matter what.
A coach will be assigned to you once you enroll in College Possible. Coaches work with about 100 to 120 students and serve for one or two years. Your coach will change over time but the level of commitment from your coach won’t change.
Your coach has an office on your campus and is available Monday through Friday to meet face-to face. If you have questions or concerns in the evenings or on the weekends, email your coach and they will get back to you to set up an appointment.
A Catalyze Coach will accompany you throughout your journey at Luther. As your campus knowledge and confidence builds, you may not need your coach as often as when you first arrived on campus. That is OK. Your coach will stay in touch with you and will connect with you at critical points in the academic year.
Catalyze’s program model is designed for college students coming from low-income (PELL-eligible) and/or first-generation backgrounds (neither of your parent/guardians earned a 4 year bachelor’s degree) including international students.
If there is space in the program and your friends meet the eligibility requirements, absolutely! Please encourage your friends to talk with your coach and/or sign up.
We hope that you will see the value of the program and that you will want to stay involved. If you feel that you no longer need a coach, you can talk with your coach about decreasing the number of contacts. For some students, participation is required by the institution so it is critical that you talk with your coach before just leaving the program.
If you are interested in joining, please email catalyze@luther.edu.
Meet the Staff
Office: Preus Library, Center for Academic Enrichment, 108D
Phone: 563-387-1688
Email: adam.lenehan@luther.edu
Office: Preus Library 108C and
Center for the Arts 104
Phone: 563-387-1328, 563-387-1587
Email: ellika03@luther.edu