GPS Community Programs

GPS For Academic Success

Today’s students are carrying more than academic expectations. Rising rates of anxiety and depression, financial and social pressures, and the climate on campus often undermine both confidence and performance. For educators, administrators, and student support staff, this reality makes it increasingly difficult to help students persist and thrive. Traditional mental health services are often stretched too thin to meet the demand — and many students never seek them out.

Supporting Students in the Classroom and Beyond

GPS for Academic Success equips organizations with a scalable, evidence-based solution to address these challenges. Through facilitator training, customizable curriculum, and ongoing expertise, GPS helps campuses create safe, trauma-informed peer support groups that meet students where they are. These groups not only strengthen individual resilience but also boost belonging, retention, and overall student success.

For partner organizations, GPS offers more than a program — it’s a way to extend your reach, deepen impact, and create a culture of connection and care across your campus.

How GPS Supports Academic Success

GPS strengthens schools, universities, and student-serving organizations by embedding trauma-informed, peer-led support into the student experience. By focusing on connection, coping skills, and cultural relevance, GPS provides tools that complement — not compete with — existing student services.

Safe, Inclusive Environments
Students find nonjudgmental spaces to openly process their challenges, reducing stigma and normalizing conversations about mental health.
Connection & Belonging
Peer groups foster authentic community, helping students feel less isolated and more supported in navigating both academic and personal pressures.
Practical Skills for Success
Students gain resilience strategies rooted in mindfulness, cognitive behavioral tools, and psychosocial education — skills that translate directly into better focus, persistence, and balance.
Support for Underserved Populations
GPS has demonstrated particular impact for first-generation students, BIPOC students, and those navigating systemic barriers, ensuring equity in access to support.
Capacity Building for Staff and Faculty
By training facilitators drawn from student services, counseling centers, or academic programs, GPS expands your organization’s ability to deliver meaningful, trauma-informed care without overburdening existing systems.
Flexible Implementation
Whether in classrooms, residence halls, student centers, or online, GPS integrates seamlessly into campus life, making groups accessible to the students who need them most.

Why Choose GPS For Academic Success?

Supporting students goes beyond academic advising or counseling. They need structured, compassionate spaces that honor both their lived experiences and their academic aspirations. GPS offers a proven model that organizations can adopt with confidence:

Collaborative Partnerships: GPS works alongside administrators, educators, and student leaders to co-design programs that reflect the unique culture of your campus.
Sustainable, Peer-Driven Leadership: By equipping students themselves to facilitate groups, GPS fosters leadership development and creates a ripple effect of peer-to-peer support.
Adaptable to Your Needs: From high school programs to graduate education, GPS adapts to the specific stressors of each student population.

Integrated Support: GPS complements existing mental health and academic services, strengthening the overall network of care on campus.
Measurable Outcomes: Students report increased confidence, resilience, and belonging, while schools see stronger engagement, retention, and success.
Evidence-Based and Scalable Impact: GPS is grounded in more than 15 years of research and practice, with proven results across a range of communities. Its flexible design allows schools and universities to start small and scale up, ensuring sustainable impact without overburdening existing resources.

“GPS has given our campus a way to support students that feels both practical and compassionate. It has helped us foster a culture of belonging while strengthening persistence and retention.”
University Administrator
“With demand for counseling outpacing capacity, GPS has been invaluable. The peer-led groups extend our reach, reduce stigma, and ensure students get support before they are in crisis.”
Director, Campus Behavioral Health Center
“As a faculty member, I see the impact of stress and anxiety in my classroom every day. GPS equips students with tools and connections that translate directly into greater focus, resilience, and success.”
College Faculty Member
“Before joining a GPS group, I felt alone in my struggles. Hearing others share and learning new coping skills gave me confidence — not just to keep going in school, but to believe I truly belong here.”
Student Participant

Breaking Barriers, Building Futures: The Broader Impact of GPS

GPS for Academic Success recognizes that many students face additional hurdles on their path to achievement — and meets them with tailored, compassionate support.

Our programs are designed to reach students who may feel overlooked or overwhelmed, including:

First-generation college students navigating unfamiliar systems.
English language learners balancing cultural and academic challenges.

Students with learning differences or academic struggles.
Those contending with financial stress or access to resources.

By addressing these barriers, GPS helps level the playing field, ensuring that all students have a chance to thrive.

CEUs Available

CEUs are available for all of GPS’s programs. For inquiries about specific credits, please contact us.

Learn More

Scholarships Available

If you’re committed to supporting your community, GPS scholarships can help make it possible.

Apply For A Scholarship