Welcome back, Missouri State Bears! This semester we’ve added more success coaches to our office staff who are here to support Missouri State students, it’s time to introduce them! Success Coaches guide students in academic and professional skills to ensure success in college. Success coaches are graduate students who have been in your shoes as an undergraduate before; they are relatable to the college experience but have the wisdom and knowledge of a graduate student. The Center for Academic Success and Transition office is equipped with Peer Mentors and Success Coaches who are here for all bears! 

Kuper Jones

1. Academic Area of Interest: Industrial Organizational Psychology

2. What is Your Personal Philosophy as a Success Coach?: Success comes from passion and effort. If you are willing to work for something you will find opportunities to grow your skills and knowledge.

3. One Thing You Wish All Students Knew: That the resources on campus are there to be used.

4. End of Semester Advice: Make sure to take a breath, you have come a long way from the start of the semester. Enjoy the break, but do not forget all that you have learned through your academic journey.

5. Why Should Students Meet with a Success Coach?: We offer a way to organize the chaos of life. We work with you to overcome obstacles so that you can focus on what is most important to you as a student and a person.

Erica Batson

1. 1. Academic Area of Interest: Industrial-Organizational Psychology (or I-O Psychology for short)

   2. What is Your Personal Philosophy as a Success Coach?: My personal philosophy as a success coach is to meet students where they’re at. Success looks different for everyone. For some, it might be getting an A on a test; for others, success means joining a club and making friends. I am here to help students attain their goals, so I tailor my approach to help each student as an individual.

   3. One Thing You Wish All Students Knew: I wish all students knew that they’re not alone. Whatever challenges they might be facing, there are surely others struggling with something similar, and there are people (like us coaches) who can help support them. 

   4. End of Semester Advice: Work hard and take care of yourself — drink water, eat some vegetables, go for a walk, and keep in mind that a break is near :).

   5. Why Should Students Meet with a Success Coach?: We are here for YOU. It can help tremendously to talk through challenges with another person and have someone in your corner to help strategize tackling those challenges. We are trained coaches who are dedicated to helping you get the most out of your experience here at MSU.

Kelsey Campbell

1. Academic Area of Interest: Clinical Mental Health Counseling 

2. What is Your Personal Philosophy as a Success Coach?: Focus on consistent progress, not perfection. Small steps lead to big results.

3. One Thing You Wish All Students Knew: Acknowledge your wins and learn from losses.

4. End of Semester Advice: Give yourself grace and make sure to take care of yourselves as finals approach. 

5. Why Should Students Meet with a Success Coach?: As a success coach we want to support students as much as possible and help them through hardships that come up throughout the year.

Takeaways

My hope is that through this blog you’ve gotten a glimpse into the great Success Coaches our office has to offer. We have ten other Success Coaches and four Peer Mentors who work in the office this fall semester.  You can request to meet or stop by during drop-in hours. (Drop-in hours change every semester; see the Student Academic Assistance page for this semester’s hours.) Make your time at Missouri State something you’re proud of and use the resources offered to you!

~Aubrey

(Bio: My name is Aubrey Hardy, and I am a senior studying special needs education. Fun fact: I’ve read over 15 books this year!)