Student Success Coaches

Jason Crosby
College Chaplain

Much of my work as a pastor and chaplain for over two decades has involved listening with empathy to help individuals make pragmatic change that then results in personal growth and better overall well-being. I look forward to meeting, hearing more about what you hope address, and working together. Schedule with Jason.

Fernando Gonzalez
Reference, Instruction, and Outreach Librarian

I am always at the library, and I work on Monday nights. Teaching information literacy and guiding emerging researchers informs my practice as a successful coach at Centre. I strive to build upon your strengths and problem-solve complex questions during sessions.  Schedule with Fernando.

Ashley Hinton
Director of Health Promotion

Coaching allows me to connect my passion for well-being with meaningful growth both in and out of the classroom. As a certified ICF Coach, Intuitive Eating Coach, and Mindfulness Instructor, I help students cultivate lifelong habits and take ownership of their personal and academic growth. Schedule with Ashley.

Jessica Leonard
Associate Director, Centre Global

As a success coach, I hope to help students think and plan more intentionally or strategically. If you are looking for accountability without judgment, I think I'm the coach for you.  Schedule with Jessica.

Katie Patton
Director of Student Athlete Success

I strive to be an advocate and guide for all students on their Centre journey. My goal is to work with you to develop a plan to be successful in whatever you choose. There are no dumb questions; there are just questions that haven’t been asked yet! Schedule with Katie.

Karen Tubb
Assistant Director, Centre Learning Commons

I work in the Centre Learning Commons, and I host weekly events to provide opportunities for students to talk about their academic strategies and struggles (Teddy Talks, EaSeL Evenings). My conversations with you will focus on improving your overall academic performance.  Schedule with Karen.

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.