Adam Scales Receives National Award from the Association for the Coaching and Tutoring Profession W&L’s assistant director of academic success was presented the Professional Academic Coach of the Year Award at the 2026 ACTP conference in Seattle.

By Brian Laubscher
April 1, 2026

Adam Scales, assistant director of academic success within the Houston H. Harte Teaching and Learning Center at Washington and Lee University, received the Association for the Coaching and Tutoring Profession’s (ACTP) 2026 Professional Academic Coach of the Year Award at the ACTP annual conference on March 23 in Seattle.

The Professional Academic Coach of the Year Award recognizes the outstanding contributions of a professional coach who fulfills the ACTP’s mission. It honors the work of professional academic coaches who work with undergraduate students and contribute to the success of those students.

Scales received a certificate and was recognized at the conference’s awards breakfast, where he had the opportunity to offer brief remarks. He also received $250 toward registration for a future ACTP conference.

“I’m honored to be named Professional Academic Coach of the Year,” said Scales. “This recognition reflects the deeply collaborative work in the Harte Center to support students’ academic growth and success. I’m grateful to J.T. Torres for his continued support of my professional growth and to the talented students I have the privilege of working with every day. W&L is truly a special place to learn and thrive.”

Since arriving at W&L in 2021, Scales has been responsible for overseeing programs and initiatives that foster student learning and success, including academic coaching, peer tutoring, a new peer education course, academic support programming and learning resource projects. In addition to his ACTP award, Scales also recently received Level 3 Learning Center Leadership Certification through the International College Learning Center Association. He adds the certification to an Associate Coaching Certification he earned through the International Coaching Federation in 2024.

Scales holds a Bachelor of Arts in film and English studies and a Ph.D. in media from the University of East Anglia (U.K.). He also earned a Master of Education in higher and postsecondary education from Arizona State University.

ACTP was organized in 2002 as a platform that unites student success professionals and administrators in higher education dedicated to fostering successful learners. ACTP aims to engage, empower and educate those who mentor and support college students, promoting academic achievement and student success.