Cowboy Coaches

Cowboy Coaches
Academics
How Cowboy Coaches Help UW Students Thrive
Brinley N.
Published March 30, 2026
4 Minute Read
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Cowboy Coaches
Saddle up for success
Starting college can feel a bit like stepping into the Wild West. New classes, new
people, and a whole new level of independence that can be exciting...but also overwhelming. Lucky
for you, at the University of Wyoming, students don’t have to go solo. That’s where
Cowboy Coaches come in. From trying to figure out where your classes are to balancing studying
with your social life, you’re not alone. You’ve got someone to coach you along every
step of your college journey.
Cowboy Coaches are student peer mentors at UW who are here to help you adjust to life
in college. They’re experienced UW students who help newer students navigate the ins
and outs of campus life, all while providing support along the way. Think of it as
having a personal guide who has already walked the path you’re about to take.
The group of Cowboy Coaches ready to help you on your student journey at UW!
From Confused Freshman to Cowboy Coach
When I first came to the University of Wyoming, I soon realized how many moving pieces
come with starting college. Between figuring out where everything was on campus and
trying to make the most of all that UW has to offer, it can feel like a lot all at
once. It didn’t take long to grasp how important it is to have someone point me in
the right direction, especially someone who had been in my shoes.
During my first year, I quickly learned that college success isn’t just about going to
class and performing well on exams. It’s about learning how to manage your time, find resources,
and build connections and community. Looking back, I wish someone had walked me through
the finer details, such as how to build a realistic study schedule, which campus resources
were the most helpful for me, and how to balance academics while staying involved
on campus. Those small pieces of guidance can make a huge difference when everything
feels so new.
That realization was the foundation of why I became a Cowboy Coach. I wanted to support
students who might be feeling the same way I once did and help make a seemingly daunting transition
to college a little easier. Since becoming a Cowboy Coach, I have not only been able
to fulfill this goal, but I have also met so many amazing people who have taught me
a lot. Some of my favorite moments as a Cowboy Coach come from the simplest conversations. I’ve met
with many students who were stressed beyond measure before their first round of exams
and was able to connect them with tutoring or study resources, which helped them crush
it. I’ve grabbed coffee with students who weren’t sure where to start and just needed
to set some goals for their semester. I’ve also had students come back at the end
of a semester just to chat about their accomplishments, whether that’s doing well
on an exam, joining a club, or simply making new friends. Moments like these remind
me why Cowboy Coaching matters and never fails to make me smile. Turns out, helping
others navigate college is a lot easier once you’ve survived your own first semester.
What exactly is a cowboy coach?
Cowboy Coaches are peer mentors who work with UW students, specifically first-year
and incoming transfer students, aiding them in their transition to college. Because we coaches
are students ourselves, we understand and have lived the challenges of balancing classes,
social life, and everything in between.
Instead of feeling overwhelmed with the thought of having to figure everything out
on your own, a Cowboy Coach is there both as a resource and support system. Cowboy
Coaches assist with several aspects of the college transition, such as advice on time
management, navigating campus resources, or simply setting goals for the semester.
Whether it’s a quick question, or a bigger challenge, Cowboy Coaches are here to help
students work through any feat.
Students
take part in snowmen crafting as a part of Winter Welcome Back, one of many events
hosted alongside Cowboy Coaches.
Cowboy Coaching goes far beyond just answering questions. We help students build confidence
and develop the necessary skills to accel at UW.
Some of the ways Cowboy Coaches support students include:
One-on-one meetings with students to talk through goals, challenges, and strategies
for success
Helping students create realistic plans for managing coursework, extracurriculars,
and personal responsibilities
Connecting students with campus resources (e.g., advising, tutoring, counseling services, financial
aid, career exploration opportunities, etc.)
Encouraging and helping students to get involved in clubs, organizations, and campus
activities
Sending out updates about events, opportunities, and key moments during the semester
that students should be aware of
Hosting and promoting
events
such as Readiness Rally, Transfer Breakfast, and fun community-building events like karaoke nights or
bingo nights
Explore Student Success Events
Check out upcoming events from karaoke night to Readiness Rally, Cowboy Coaches are
here to support your student journey.
Why should you meet with a cowboy coach?
Meeting with a Cowboy Coach is perhaps the quickest and easiest way to start setting yourself
up for success. We’ve been where you might be now, are equipped with knowledge about
the resources available to you, and truly want to see you thrive here at UW.
There are also some perks when meeting with a Cowboy Coach:
Free coffee or drink: students can grab a beverage with a Cowboy Coach at various
locations on campus for free.
Cowboy Card: A punch card that encourages students to complete important success milestones throughout
the semester.
Free swag: From mugs to scarves to crewnecks, meeting with a Cowboy Coach can earn
you some free UW gear.
With a Cowboy Coach in your corner, you’ll always have someone cheering you on, providing
guidance when things get tough, and helping you make the most of your time at the
University of Wyoming.
How do i schedule an appointment?
Meeting with a Cowboy Coach is simple and flexible. While all first-year and incoming transfer
students are assigned a Cowboy Coach at the beginning of the semester, all students
are welcome to book an appointment with a Cowboy Coach.
Students with assigned Cowboy Coaches will hear from them throughout the semester
via email and Navigate messages. These communications often include reminders about
important academic deadlines, events happening on campus or around Laramie, and tips
for navigating the semester, such as preparing for midterms, deciding to live on or
off campus the following year, or finding opportunities to get involved. Not a first
year student? You can still meet with Cowboy Coach!
Meetings can be scheduled in person or over Zoom,
and
students
are always welcome to drop into the
Student Success & Graduation Hub
Meet your Cowboy Coach
Meetings can be scheduled in person or over Zoom!
Ride Toward Success with Cowboy Coaching
Navigating college can feel overwhelming, but Cowboy Coaches are here to make the
transition to UW nice and smooth. Whether you need advice on time management,
you’re
trying to get involved on campus, or even just want to talk,
Cowboy Coaches are here every step of the way. Success
isn’t
just about attending
class;
it’s
about finding support, building connections, and making the most of your college experience.
Sometimes a
ll it
takes
is one conversation to help you truly thrive as a
Poke
, so if
you’re
ever feeling unsure about your next step, reach out to a Cowboy Coach!
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