Support first-gen students in Texas with Charisma Virtual Social Coaching

First-generation college students are the first in their family to attend college. For many who struggle with social interactions, engaging in college life can be a daunting experience. These students often face unique challenges, such as feeling disconnected from their peers, difficulty balancing academics with personal responsibilities and managing high levels of stress, with limited family experience to rely on.

Charisma combines live, strategy-based social coaching with immersive, interactive practice of navigating difficult social situations. In just 10 sessions, students receive actionable strategies and tools to help feel connected to their new college community and embrace change.

First generation students face increased challenges in navigating typical college demands, making them more likely to benefit from targeted social coaching. We aim to support academic retention, reduce stress and create a sense of belonging and competency, benefiting not only students, but also the wider university and community. Our team meets individuals where they are, and helps students develop stronger social skills, manage emotions, and gain confidence and independence. 

Developed by the Center for BrainHealth at UTD, Charisma has shown the profound impact of personalized social coaching. Our research, using non-threatening, safe and immersive video-game technology, creates a feeling of familiarity and empowers students to step outside of comfort zones. Our mission is to empower individuals with tools to build authentic connections, improve emotional balance and thrive in life’s social challenges. 

How You Can Make an Impact

By partnering with ScholarShot — a program committed to guiding first-generation college students through their academic journey — we are bridging the gap between academic success and social well-being. Together, we aim to address the unique challenges these students face, providing them with skills and support that will serve them throughout their lives.

Your support could:

• Provide up to 25 scholarships that give first-generation college students access to Charisma Virtual Social Coaching, increasing access to improved overall social-emotional well-being, ensuring that students have the resources they need to succeed socially.

• Offer a lifeline for students who face the risk of social isolation, mental health challenges and academic failure. Charisma will give these students the confidence to connect meaningfully with peers and professors, improving their chances of staying in school and graduating. Our work will not only impact the students themselves but will ripple across the UT Dallas community and other Texas campuses, promoting a culture of social-emotional support for first-generation college students.

• We hope to raise $2,500 to cover the $100 enrollment fee for 25 ScholarShot students across Texas college campuses, including The University of Texas at Dallas.

• Reaching this goal means enabling these students to participate in the Charisma program, helping them build crucial social communication and resilient thinking skills.

• Our stretch goal of $5,000 would double the number of students impacted and broaden the program’s reach across more campuses.

Did you know: In Texas, 90% of at-risk students who enroll in college, drop out? BrainHealth researchers and clinicians have partnered with UTD’s AccessAbility Resource Center to offer virtual social coaching to enrolled students who may benefit from additional support. Through Charisma, we have seen improvement in students’ confidence, participation in social and academic activities and ability to communicate with peers and professors, among other important life skills such as interviewing and even dating! Now, we are excited to announce an expansion of Charisma through a partnership with ScholarShot to further advance their mission of supporting first-generation students in achieving career-ready goals.

CHARISMA TESTIMONIALS

Our young people are experiencing high levels of stress, a lack of resources and limited opportunity. The Charisma program has opened up a world to them where they can explore their social-emotional health in a safe, engaging environment under the guidance of trained Charisma Coaches. We have seen growth in all our students who have participated and we hope we can extend this excellent program to more students who desperately need it.

-Charisma Community Partner, At-Risk Students

I like to socialize, but when my social battery runs out, I get overwhelmed and think negatively of myself. I had the opportunity to be a part of Charisma where you get to practice skills and strategies in a virtual world and you have a coach to help you. It helped me understand where other people are coming from and think more outside of the box. I now believe I can achieve what once felt impossible.

-Charisma Scholarship Recipient, College Student

Learn more about the Charisma program at centerforbrainhealth.org/charisma