Academic Coaches

Meet our Academic Success Coaches! Coaches are trained professionals dedicated to helping students reach their goals. Each coach has completed a rigorous, six-month Academic Life Coaching certification, equipping them with tools and strategies to support student success. 

In addition to Chaiken Center staff, our coaches serve as faculty and staff in departments across University Park, bringing diverse perspectives and expertise while coaching their own caseload of students.

Schedule a Success Consultation meeting to get started with coaching 

Kelly Griffith

She/Her
Kelly Griffith
Director, Penn State Chaiken Center for Student Success
Favorite coaching topics:
Balancing Life and Academics, Community and Belonging, Motivation and Procrastination, Organization

What advice would you give your college self?  Don't be afraid to ask for help! You never have to struggle through alone.

What playlist gets you motivated?  My go-to playlist is 90s/early 2000s Hip Hop & R&B—because those beat drops keep me going!

Chelsey Walls

She/Her
Photo of Chelsey Walls
Assistant Director, Penn State Chaiken Center for Student Success
Favorite coaching topics:
Confidence and Mindset, Motivation and Procrastination, Organization, Self Discovery, Time Management

What’s your top productivity hack? Write everything down! I'm a big fan of going old school and using pen and paper.

What’s a show, movie, or book you’ve loved recently?  The Summer I Turned Pretty. Though I'm a Gilmore Girls stan for life.

Shidika Goode

She/Her
Shidika Goode
Student Success Advocate, Penn State Chaiken Center for Student Success
Favorite coaching topics:
Balancing Life and Academics, Campus Resource Navigation, Confidence and Mindset, Self Discovery

What’s your top productivity hack?  My go-to for staying productive or studying is the Pomodoro Method.

Favorite hobby:  I am a gamer at heart but my main hobby is playing and running TTRPGs!

Kayla Hood

She/Her
Kayla Hood
Student Success Advocate, Penn State Chaiken Center for Student Success
Favorite coaching topics:
Campus Resource Navigation, Community and Belonging, Goal Setting and Follow Through, Motivation and Procrastination

What advice would you give your college self?  If I could go back and speak with my college self, I would tell her to enjoy the "little moments" more.

What’s a show, movie, or book you’ve loved recently?  Interview with a Vampire (I'm ready for season 3!)

Neill Johnson

He/Him
Neill Johnson
Director, Penn State Learning
Favorite coaching topics:
Academic Skills, Confidence and Mindset, Goal Setting and Follow Through, Motivation and Procrastination

What’s your top study tip?  Review/correct notes asap after class and write down questions to ask next time.

Favorite Penn State tradition:  Going to plays, recitals, and concerts on campus.

Brendaly Drayton

She/Her
Brendaly Drayton
Student Success Manager - Guided Study Groups, Penn State Learning
Favorite coaching topics:
Academic Skills, Balancing Life and Academics, Goal Setting and Follow Through, Time Management

What’s your top study tip? Come to class with questions about what you have read and take 15 to 30 minutes after class to review what you have learned.

Go-to coffee order: Tall cafe latte, light on the foam, extra hot, dash of cinnamon powder, and two raw sugars.

Teresa Burkhart

She/Her
Teresa Burkhart
Education Program Specialist, Starfish Tenant Administrator, Penn State Learning
Favorite coaching topics:
Academic Skills, Confidence and Mindset, Self Discovery, Time Management

Coaching modality:  Online only

What’s your top study tip?  Come to class with questions about what you have read and take 15 to 30 minutes after class to review what you have learned.

Favorite hobby:  Outside of work, I really enjoy water sports like kayaking and swimming. Being on the water helps me relax and recharge—it’s a great way to stay active while enjoying nature.

Tanja St. Pierre

She/Her
Tanja St. Pierre
Assistant Director, Division of Undergraduate Studies
Favorite coaching topics:
Confidence and Mindset, Goal Setting and Follow Through, Motivation and Procrastination, Self Discovery

What advice would you give your college self? Struggling doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re growing.

Favorite hobby: Running

Leslie Laing

She/Her
Leslie Laing
Director, Adult Learner Programs & Services
Favorite coaching topics:
Confidence and Mindset, Goal Setting and Follow Through, Motivation and Procrastination, Self Discovery

What’s your top productivity hack?  Boost your productivity by dedicating specific blocks of time for different tasks and prioritizing what's important so that you make time for the things you enjoy doing.

What’s a show, movie, or book you’ve loved recently?  Hidden Figures. I also have a secret love of disaster movies.

Richie Campbell

He/Him
Richie Campbell
Veteran Counselor, VA School Certifying Official, Office of Veterans Programs
Favorite coaching topics:
Balancing Life and Academics, Community and Belonging, Goal Setting and Follow Through

What advice would you give your college self?  Don't be intimidated by hard classes and have fun.

Unexpected fun fact:  I have had a Commercial Driver's License (CDL) since I was 19 years old.

Kevin Hulburt

He/Him
Kevin Hulburt
Director of the Journey Success Center, College of Education
Favorite coaching topics:
Academic Skills, Balancing Life and Academics, Goal Setting and Follow Through, Time Management

What’s your top study tip?  Schedule your study time and create a place where you go to work or study.  That way, when you are home you can focus on enjoying your free time. 

Favorite Penn State tradition:  Movin' On.

Jen Gooch

She/Her
Jen Gooch
Support Coordinator & Academic Success Coach, Student Disability Resources
Favorite coaching topics:
Goal Setting and Follow Through, Motivation and Procrastination, Organization, Time Management

What’s your top study tip? Start your day by tackling the one thing you’re dreading most. It’s called ‘eating the frog,’ and while it sounds weird, it works. Getting that tough task out of the way early gives you a win right off the bat, and makes everything else feel way more doable.

What song gets you motivated?  When I need a boost, I hit play on “Cinderella Man” by Eminem. It’s my go-to hype song, perfect for powering through tough days or getting in the zone.