Student Success Coaches

Our unwavering commitment to student success means providing help and support when you need it.

As part of our commitment to your success, Centre offers certified Student Success Coaches who complete more than 60 hours of specialized training in academic coaching. Our coaches partner with you one-on-one to build on your strengths, navigate challenges, and create a personalized plan to help you thrive. Whether you’re adjusting to college life, sharpening your academic strategies, or envisioning your future goals, our coaches are here to provide guidance, encouragement, and support every step of the way.

Karen Tubb mentoring a student in the library

Getting Started

For students, scheduling an appointment is easy:

Choose a coach from the faculty & staff below – click on their name to schedule
Or stop by the Centre Learning Commons to meet a coach in person

Faculty and staff should submit a Student Notice referral through Navigate.

Meet Your Coaches

Select a coach below and click through to their directory listing to schedule an appointment.

Jessica Chisley

Learning and Student Support Specialist

Jason Crosby

College Chaplain

Brian Cusato

Dean of Student Success, Director of Centre Learning Commons

Fernando Gonzalez

Reference, Instruction, and Outreach Librarian

Ashley Hinton

Director of Health Promotion

Jessica Leonard

Associate Director, Centre Global (International Student Services)

Katie Patton

Director of Student Athlete Success

Lady with shoulder length silver hair wearing red glasses, necklace, black top in front of black studio background

Karen Tubb

Assistant Director of the Centre Learning Commons

Frequently Asked Questions

Student Success Coaches provide individualized, one-on-one support that focuses on:

Academic skills: Time management, study strategies, test preparation
Personal growth: Resilience, confidence, stress management
Campus navigation: Connecting you with resources and opportunities
Career exploration: Identifying goals and pathways for life after Centre

Student Success Coaches bridge the gap between advising, mentoring, and academic support. Coaching is beneficial for all students, not just for those who are struggling. In fact, many high-achieving students benefit from coaching to maximize performance and manage stress. In all cases, coaching is most effective when it is started early, before issues escalate, for academic, engagement, or personal challenges.

Flexible and student-centered: Meet when and how it works best for you.
Goal-oriented: Sessions focus on what matters most to you, from organizing assignments to preparing for internships.
Confidential and supportive: A judgment-free space to share challenges and develop solutions together.

Students who meet with Success Coaches often say they feel:

More confident in their academic abilities
Better connected to Centre’s resources
Less stressed and more organized
Supported in exploring personal and career goals

Faculty and staff should submit a Student Notice referral through Navigate and refer a student or advisee to success coaching if they are:

Looking for ways to manage stress, burnout, or anxiety while staying on track.
Interested in exploring personal or career goals and how to move toward them.
Wanting extra support while adjusting to college life and routines.
Hoping for strategies to stay organized with assignments, coursework, and class participation.
Seeking guidance with time management, balancing commitments, or staying engaged in classes.

Research on student success coaching in college and university settings shows consistent, positive impacts on overall student achievement and graduation. Studies also highlight benefits for student confidence, self-regulation, and academic skills. According to Robinson (2015), coaching teaches students to be more self-aware of their strengths, values, and purpose (Alzen et. al, 2021). Coaching programs have been employed at many US colleges and universities in recent years, to support post-pandemic students who need help adjusting to the expectations of college-level work (Barkley, 2011; Bradley & Reynolds, 2021). It has been shown to effectively strengthen self-efficacy, improve GPA, and help students attain their goals (Bradley, et. al., 2024).

Bettinger & Baker (2014) conducted a large-scale, randomly controlled study with over 13,500 students and found that coaching increased retention rates by 5–15%. In this study the benefits were especially strong for first-generation and low-income students.

Robinson & Gahagan (2010) conducted their research at the University of South Carolina and found that students who participated in success coaching had higher GPAs, were more likely to persist into their sophomore year, and self-reported positive outcomes in the areas of goal setting, skill development, and self-efficacy.

Sutton, Horn, & Cholewa (2019) qualitative research found that students who worked with success coaches reported stronger time management skills, increased confidence in handling challenges, and greater engagement with campus resources.