Alli Bracewell Brings Personal Experiences to Elevate Online Student Services

As a former Auburn student-athlete, Alli Bracewell understands what it takes to keep the ball moving when life is full. She now brings that perspective to her work as student success coordinator for Auburn Online, a unit of the Biggio Center for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning (Biggio Center), supporting adult learners across Auburn University’s online programs. Bracewell directly supports students in the Bachelor of Science in Business Administration (BSBA) Online Degree Completer program. 

Bracewell works with students who are often balancing coursework alongside full-time jobs, family responsibilities and other commitments. Her approach to online student success is rooted in proactive advising, clear communication and consistent outreach designed to help students feel supported and connected to Auburn. 

“I take a very hands-on, proactive approach and provide high-touch support for this student population,” Bracewell said. “For online students, the challenge is helping them feel connected to campus, and that level of support really matters.” 

Bracewell’s commitment to student services is shaped by her own Auburn experience. Recruited out of high school to play basketball, she spent four years as a student-athlete while earning her undergraduate degree. After graduation, she continued supporting Auburn students while earning a master’s degree in higher education and working for five years in student-athlete support services. That background now informs how she supports adult learners navigating the demands of online education. 

Auburn’s online BSBA degree completer program launched in 2018, offering students the opportunity to earn an Auburn business degree fully online. From the start of a student’s program, Bracewell focuses on early engagement and preparation. She helps guide students through an online orientation built in Canvas that introduces Auburn traditions, sets academic expectations and prepares adult learners for the structure and pace of online coursework. 

Throughout a student’s academic journey, Bracewell remains a consistent point of contact. She monitors progress, reaches out when challenges arise and helps students navigate both academic and personal obstacles that can disrupt momentum. 

Students say that level of attentiveness makes a difference. 

“Alli was quick to answer questions, knowledgeable and always kept me updated,” said Kaitlin, a recent Spring 2026 graduate of the BSBA Online program. “Even though I was an online student, I still felt like part of the Auburn family.” 

Another recent graduate echoed that sentiment, emphasizing the encouragement Bracewell provided during stressful moments. 

“Alli is one of those people who is really understanding,” said Zachary, a recent Spring 2026 graduate of the BSBA Online program. “When I was stressed, she helped me remember what the goal was, which was to finish.” 

In this capacity, Bracewell has also been leading two innovative approaches to online student success. Her work created a professional skills link between academic coursework and the job market, so students are able to connect coursework to their careers.  

“Students are able to see which professional skills they will learn in a specific course, and then we ask them to intentionally reflect on how those skills will be useful as they explore the job market,” said Bracewell. The program continues to support adult learners seeking a flexible path to degree completion and achieved a 100 percent placement rate in 2025. 

Bracewell also developed a way to monitor student progress and send timely nudges that help keep them on track throughout the term. 

“Nudging really goes back to the proactive advising approach,” Bracewell said. “If a student is falling behind, I know we need to reach out.” 

Her nudging approach is now being adopted by advisors in other areas across Auburn’s campus. For Bracewell, supporting students is both a professional responsibility and a personal commitment. 

“I consider it a privilege to be able to give back to our students and the university on a daily basis,” she said. “Raising my family here, and in a lot of ways, living my dream.”