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!)

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)