Hello everyone, my name is Haleigh Snyder, and I am a Peer Mentor in the Center for Academic Success and Transition office. I am here with our final post in the series introducing this semester’s Success Coaches.

Shane Everett

What are you studying? Dramatic Writing

Why did you choose MSU? I had done my undergraduate degree here and when I was graduating, a couple of my professors recommended this new writing master’s program that had just started up. I loved writing but I wanted to take some time to think about it, so I took a year off and it just stuck with me through that year, so I came back.

Tip for first-generation college students? It’s okay to ask for help. You made it here, that’s proof enough that you belong, it’s not a sign of weakness or failure to reach out when you’re struggling. People want to see you succeed!

What is the strangest item in your backpack right now? I’m not even sure. My bag is a large messy void of papers, writing utensils, and little odds and ends. It’s a miracle I am still able to find stuff in there!

Why should students consider reaching out to a success coach or peer mentor? To build up that support network. We are not just here if you’re struggling academically, we are here for if you just need someone to walk you through the options of how to tackle an issue with financials or your school community or for building strategies to help you through crisis mode after mid-terms. We are here for you!

If you were a brand, what would your slogan be? “Batteries not included. Product burnt-out a long time ago.”

Agamyrat Bayramgeldiyev (Auguste)

What are you studying? I am currently doing my Master’s in International Affairs (MIA) here at MSU. My undergraduate degrees were in International Relations and French Language. I did them at MSU as well.

Why did you choose MSU? I chose MSU because of the community and welcoming atmosphere it had for international students.

Tip to first-generation college students? My advice would be to be persistent. There may be moments of doubt or loss of motivation, but it is important to focus on your end goals. I would encourage them to occasionally take some time off from school to do things they enjoy like hobbies or attending campus clubs and events.

What is the strangest item in your backpack right now? My croissant eraser.

Why should students consider reaching out to a success coach or peer mentor? Students can be in touch with us if they have any questions, concerns, or doubts, as we were once in their shoes as well.

If you were a brand what would your slogan be? “Growth isn’t a straight line.”

Janeal Talton

What are you studying? Social Work

Why did you choose MSU? The social work program.

Tip to first-generation college students? Always be proactive instead of reactive.

What is the strangest item in your backpack right now? A book

Why should students consider reaching out to a success coach or peer mentor? Students should consider reaching out to a success coach or peer mentor to ensure they have all the necessities to be successful.

If you were a brand what would your slogan be? “It is what it is.”

 

 

Now that you have been introduced to our Success Coaches, I hope you feel ready to meet with one! Each of our Coaches are ready to lend a helping hand and guide you to success. You can learn more about how Success Coaches and Peer Mentors can work with you on our Student Academic Assistance page. You can also find our request form to meet with a coach or mentor on our Student Academic Assistance page.

~Haleigh

(Bio: My name is Haleigh Snyder. I am majoring in Communication Sciences and Disorders with a minor in Disability Studies. Fun Fact: I have a miniature long haired dachshund named Oakley)

Hello everyone, my name is Hanes Koshy, and I am a Peer Mentor in the Center for Academic Success and Transition office. I’m here with the fourth post to continue our series on introducing Success Coaches.  

So, let’s meet some of our extraordinary Success Coaches ready to guide you through your academic journey! 

 

Shahriyar Khan

First up, we have Shahriyar, a dedicated Project Management student at MSU. He chose MSU for its perfect blend of academic excellence and vibrant campus life.

Shahriyar’s top tip for first-generation college students is simple yet powerful: “Don’t be afraid to ask for help.” When asked what the strangest item in his backpack was, he replied “cricket ball,” adding a unique touch to his essentials. Why should you seek guidance from Success Coaches like Shahriyar? Because he believes it “helps you unlock your full potential.” If Shahriyar were a brand his slogan would be “Dare to be rare,” encouraging us to embrace our unique selves.

 

Lucy Vo

Next, we have Lucy Vo, another Project Management enthusiast whose path to MSU was guided by destiny.

 Her advice to first-generation college students was “Give yourself some time to adjust to the new environment, it will get better over time. All the effort you are putting in right now will be worth it!” The strangest thing in her backpack was her gym shorts because she knew she wouldn’t be using them after work. Why should you connect with Lucy or Success Coaches like her? Her reply was “If I were a freshman, I would want to hear all the tips and tricks to get through this journey.” Now if you are wondering what her personal brand slogan would be it would be “Be bold or regret when you’re old.”

 

Joseph Dill

Lastly, we have Joseph Dill, pursuing a Master of Science in Industrial-Organizational Psychology. He was drawn to MSU by the common ground he found with the Department Head’s interests and career path.

Joseph’s tip to first-generation college students is straightforward: “Don’t hesitate to ask for help.” Among the strangest things in his backpack was his daughter’s X-shaped toy. When asked why people should meet with Success Coaches, Joseph replied, “We’re in a unique position to connect with them on a personal level.” His personal brand slogan? “Keep Going!”

Fellow Bears let’s dare to be rare and keep going because if we aren’t bold, we’ll regret it when we are old.

~Hanes

(Bio: My name is Hanes Koshy, a junior majoring in Psychology and Religious Studies, Fun Fact: I am trilingual) 

Hello everyone, my name is Melyssa Hernandez and I am a Peer Mentor in the Center for Academic Success and Transition. I’m here with the third post to continue our series in introducing the Success Coaches. 

Taylor Duke

I would like to introduce our Success Coach Taylor Duke. She is studying to get her Masters in Science in Mental Health Counseling. When I asked her why she chose Missouri State she responded saying she was from Springfield and knew a lot of people going to MSU. 

One tip that she had for First-generation students was to not be afraid to ask questions! I think this is a great tip because students can be afraid to ask questions or ask for assistance. Faculty and staff are here to support you in all of your endeavors. Missouri State has a lot of great resources on campus to gain new information. One great resource to utilize would be a Success Coach! Taylor shared that a Success Coach is great to have someone there for you. They provide assistance and overall a positive effect to support your goals and college experience. 

Lastly when I asked Taylor for a personal slogan she said “Life’s what you make it.”

Temi Adeyemi

Next, I would like to introduce our Success Coach Temi Adeyemi. She is pursuing her Masters in Project Management with a certificate in Data Analysis. When I asked her why she chose Missouri State she shared that the coaching position stood out to her and she wanted to be a part of the student’s success stories. GA positions are great opportunities for personal development but to give back to the students as well.

She also promoted meeting with a Success Coach to gain an accountability partner. This accountability partner is someone in your corner who can help you with many skills including time management and studying tips. She also recommended meeting with a Peer Mentor because they are colleagues that are on the same level as you are. They are able to give you a student’s point of view. She emphasizes expanding your support circle!

Lastly when I asked Temi for a personal slogan she said “Be there. Be present.”

Watch for more posts this semester introducing the rest of our Success Coaches!

~Melyssa

(Bio: My name is Melyssa Hernandez, a junior majoring in Psychology, with a minor in Child Family Development. Fun Fact: I am a triplet!)

Welcome back Bears! Now that the semester has had time to come into full swing, I will be continuing the new series introducing our Success Coaches in the Center for Academic Success and Transition (CAST) office. Our Success Coaches are a wonderful and helpful resource for students and this is a great way to get to know them!

What is a Success Coach?

A success coach is a graduate student interested in helping undergraduate students succeed. Our success coaches can help with academic skills such as meeting deadlines, time management, goal setting and reaching, test preparation, and identifying strengths and weaknesses. You can use the form to meet with a success coach. This semester we are lucky to have twelve coaches with a variety of backgrounds and available times to meet that work with you and your schedule.

 

Destiny Henry

Destiny is currently studying master of professional studies with a hospitality focus and chose Missouri State for the degree options available to her.

What advice do you have for First-Generation students? It gets easier, I promise!

(note from Daniel: This is especially relevant right now since we are at the beginning of a new semester in a new year, and it can take a while to adapt to the unfamiliar environment that comes with college life.)

Why should students consider reaching out to a success coach or peer mentor? We can support you, we can guide you, we can help you in many areas.

What is the strangest thing in your backpack? A worry stone

If you were a brand, what would your slogan be? She did it anyway.

 

Fahaad Bin Waheed Al Abbadi

Fahaad is pursuing a master’s degree in computer science and chose Missouri State because it is very affordable and has a high cost-benefit ratio

What advice do you have for First-Generation students? Explore more and ask questions!

(note from Daniel: I think this is great advice, as it can sometimes be difficult to reach out.)

Why should students consider reaching out to a success coach or peer mentor? To explore more options, and to make things easy!

What is the strangest thing in your backpack? Either cookies or an umbrella

If you were a brand, what would your slogan be? Learn Together!

Takeaways

They are only two of the 12 success coaches we have this semester, but you can be assured that they are all very dedicated to making sure students have the tools they need to succeed. Make sure to check the blog for more introductions to learn more about how our success coaches are dedicated to helping students.

~Daniel

(Bio: My name is Daniel Kim, a junior majoring in Microbiology/Biotechnology, with a minor in Chemistry. Fun Fact: I can play more than 3 instruments)