Student Coach Bethany Wever Opens Doors for Working Learners
Learning that your company can help you complete your degree is a life-changing opportunity, but then come the questions: How will it work? Will I be able to make time to study? How can I be successful after being away from school for years? That’s where Guild Student Coach Beth Wever comes in.
Wever works on the Guild Advising team, where she serves as the bridge between companies supporting their employees’ continued education and helping students reach these goals. “I work with students whose employers offer some level of tuition assistance, whether that be full or partial coverage, for a variety of Bellevue University programs, including certificates, associate’s, bachelor's, and master's programs,” she said.
Bringing Personal Experience to her Role
Originally from western Iowa, Wever worked in child welfare for several years after earning her degree in psychology. She moved back to the area from Missouri after her husband was honorably discharged from the Army, ultimately finding her role at Bellevue University in 2019. She then returned to school after eight years, completing a master’s degree in management with a concentration in human resources in 2024.
These experiences empower Wever to better help students: the empathy needed in a helping profession, knowing what it’s like to transition between careers, balancing school and work, and going back to school after time away all contribute.
She also said that her roles as mom, wife, aunt, sibling, daughter, employee, mentor, and Bellevue University alumnus add to her perspective. “All of these roles help me give students the best advice I can according to the situations they bring to me,” Wever said. “I share routines and techniques that helped me prioritize, manage time, and be a successful non-traditional college student myself. I have genuine empathy for my students when they are dealing with personal matters like a sick child, or a change in their job, because I know how stressful that would be if it were me.”
Heidi Lupo, Senior Director of Advising, agrees that Wever’s compassionate nature contributes to her effectiveness. “I think it's the way she genuinely listens; she absorbs students' pain points with empathy and clarity, then works tirelessly alongside them to find a path forward,” Lupo said. “She never gives up on them and is a steady, solutions-focused resource they can count on. All of the student coaches try to do this for their students, but for Beth, it's like her superpower!”
My role is to work with students as soon as they are enrolled in their first course and continue to support them through their last course, and sometimes through multiple degrees.
Wever’s students also agree. “Throughout this entire experience, she has been such a huge part of my success within the program. She is attentive, follows through and touches base in a positive manner,” said one of her students.
Helping Students with Every Step of the Journey
Wever helps students look at the whole picture in mapping out their courses to reach degree completion. “I serve as the student's main point of contact, help them problem-solve life barriers, refer them to University resources, and explain University and federal policies when needed,” she said.
Guild students are most often non-traditional college students with families, full-time jobs, and often multiple jobs, she added. “These are full-time working students who often didn't think they had a path to school until their employer and Bellevue University offered one,” Lupo said.
Bellevue University student coaches make sure students are on track every step of the way so they don’t get stuck or left behind. Wever helps her students overcome obstacles like enrolling in classes, knowing what course sequences come next, being aware of when classes start or end, and being clear on how to utilize various forms of payment, including financial aid.
“My role is to work with students as soon as they are enrolled in their first course and continue to support them through their last course, and sometimes through multiple degrees,” Wever said. ‘Knowing the student has a supportive coach could mean the difference between the student barely getting off the ground toward degree completion to graduating with an accredited degree with pride.”
A Coaching System Built Success
Wever said many would be surprised by how many students she coaches at a time, as she is able to give personalized attention to each one. “I often communicate with a few dozen students in a single day,” she said. “This speaks to our Enrollment Management teams doing a great job of showing enthusiasm for each student as if they were the first, or only student we helped that day. Working with so many students a day has, in turn, cemented Bellevue University processes and information into coaches' minds, where it is just second nature to share.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is student coaching at Bellevue University?
A: Student coaching at Bellevue University is a personalized support model designed to guide students from enrollment through graduation. Student Coaches serve as a consistent point of contact, helping learners plan coursework, understand university processes, navigate policies, and stay on track academically—especially for adult and working students balancing multiple responsibilities.
Q: How does Bellevue University support working adults returning to college?
A: Bellevue University specializes in serving adult and non-traditional learners who often balance full-time work, family, and education. The University combines flexible online programs, employer education partnerships, and dedicated student coaching to help students manage time, overcome barriers, and persist toward degree completion.
Q: Is student coaching different from academic advising at Bellevue University?
A: Yes. While academic advising focuses primarily on course selection and degree requirements, Bellevue University’s student coaching model provides broader, ongoing support. Coaches proactively help students problem-solve life and work challenges, connect to campus resources, understand policies, and remain engaged throughout their entire academic journey.
Q: How does Bellevue University help students use employer tuition benefits or financial aid?
A: At Bellevue University, Guild Student Coaches support students whose employers work with Guild and offer tuition assistance. The coaches help students navigate their education journey and University processes.
Q: Who are Bellevue University student coaches, and what experience do they bring?
A: Bellevue University Student Coaches are trained professionals who understand the realities of working adult learners, including returning to school after time away, balancing work and family, and navigating career transitions. Their role emphasizes empathy, consistency, and practical guidance to help students succeed from their first course through graduation.
Q: How does Bellevue University help students stay on track from enrollment to graduation?
A: Bellevue University uses a structured, continuous support approach that includes course planning, deadline awareness, policy guidance, and regular communication. Student coaches monitor progress and intervene early when challenges arise, helping ensure students stay on track to earn a quality degree or credential from Bellevue University, which is an accredited institution.