What is the
90-Day Pilot Program?
The 90-Day Pilot lets schools explore motivational interviewing and the stages of change on 1 or 2 concrete processes. Staff practice real conversations, build skills, and see measurable improvements in student engagement.
This program combines training with results-driven consultative improvements in skills. Focused, time-bound, and evidence-driven, the pilot instills confidence in leadership before larger rollouts. Teams receive hands-on support, workflow redesign, and clear protocols for sustaining student-centered conversations.
Try MI safely, build staff confidence, and create a usable protocol to improve one critical student process effectively.
Who this is for
This program is designed for:
Ideal decision‑makers include principals, deans, directors of advising, student affairs leaders, and anyone responsible for retention, student success, or school climate.​
You do not need previous MI experience. You do need a willingness to look honestly at how key conversations are happening now and to support staff in trying something different.
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Schools and districts who want to see evidence that MI can work on your campus before a larger rollout
Schools who have 1 or 2 processes that clearly needs a different approach (for example: probation meetings, stop‑out outreach, chronic absenteeism, or reenrollment campaigns).
Schools that are thinking about investing in training but need something concrete and time‑bound that leadership can say “yes” to.​
What we'll focus on
Together, we’ll:
Choose 1 or 2 processes where conversations are currently stalling out.
Map your current workflow and identify where staff get stuck.
A 90-day pilot launched and supported, with simple indicators to discuss with leadership (usage, student responses, early metrics).
Build an MI‑aligned version with simple scripts, stage‑check prompts, and decision points.
Support staff as they practice new skills with real students over 90 days using tools such as measurement rubrics, self-assessment forms, and the MICA coding system.
The goal is simple: help your staff have better conversations in the moments that matter most.
What’s included
Intro Training
Includes the 2-hour Change Conversations Intro Training for up to 40 staff, or a credit if your team has already completed the Intro session.
Skills Practice
2, 60-minute virtual skills labs that focus on OARS and matching conversations to students’ stage of change.
Design
Two 90-minute virtual sessions help map your existing workflow and build a new, MI-aligned process for one pilot area.
Tools for Change
A concise pilot playbook with a workflow diagram, short stage‑check script, 3 - 5 conversation swaps, and a simple metrics list.​
For a more in-depth look at each facet of this training program please review the program syllabus by clicking the link below.
How we work with your school
Every partnership is customized, but most follow a simple, four-step arc.
01
Discover
We start with a conversation about your context, your students, and where hard conversations are getting stuck, attendance, behavior, probation, re-enrollment, or another challenge.
02
Design
Design an MI-aligned workflow to clear the path towards evoking real change.
03
Practice
Staff learn by doing. Through demos, role-plays, skills labs, and coaching, your team practices on real cases and builds confidence using MI skills in their day-to-day work.
04
Sustain
We support you with follow-up coaching, simple tools (playbooks, checklists, stage-check scripts), and a system-wide playbook for larger partnerships so the work continues after the training ends.
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The pilot ensures staff gain confidence using MI and stage-matching in practice, generates a documented protocol, and provides leadership with early indicators of engagement and initial success metrics.
Ready to have better conversations on
your campus?
If you’re serious about improving how adults and students talk about change, this pilot program gives you a clear, evidence‑aligned way to start.
We’ll use a short discovery call to discuss your context, outline what a this could look like for your school, and confirm whether the timing and scope make sense.​