Contact Information

Location: 325 Boucke Building, University Park, PA 16802

Meet the staff

Denise Poole

Director, Student Success Initiatives

Denise Poole join Penn State in July 2019 as the Unversity’s inaugural director of student success and currently oversees the Student Success Center within Undergraduate Education. Before arriving at Penn State, Denise served as the director of academic and student-athlete support services and compliance officer at New York University. In this role, Denise oversaw operations for the Academic Affairs Office which offers eligibility, admissions, advising, and student development support to NYU’s Department of Athletics and varsity student-athlete population. Denise also and partnered with faculty and administration across NYU's ten undergraduate colleges and the Division of Student Affairs to support the University’s recruitment, retention, and student success initiatives. Denise served on various NYU committees and groups including the Undergraduate Advising Deans Committee, the Intercollegiate Athletics Advisory Committee, the NYU Advising Network, the Starfish ("NYU Connect") Core Configuration Team, and the Department of Athletics Senior Staff. Denise is a Past President of the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals (N4A), serving as the Association’s president during the 2019-2020 academic year. She provided leadership to N4A's organizational enhancement and strategic planning efforts for the past 12 years and has served as a faculty member for the Association's Professional Development Institute for nine years. Denise earned her M.S. in applied educational psychology with a focus in college student development and counseling from Northeastern University and a B.S. in psychology from Saint Joseph’s University. Denise is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in workforce education and development with a focus on organization development and change.

Lee Juarez

Student Success Center Coach

Lee Juarez joined the Student Success Center staff in May 2020. Lee first joined the Penn State community in 2015 as a graduate student. Her doctoral research focuses on the sense of belonging of college students who have been historically minoritized while focusing on the impacts of COVID-19. Lee has made several contributions to PSU student support services including Adult Learner Programs and Services, the Morgan Academic Center, the Academic Development Services (Penn State World Campus), and the Multicultural Resource Center. During these experiences, Lee has worked with a multitude of student populations, such as adult learners, first-generation, student-athletes, veterans, transfer, change of campus, and online students. Lee’s passion to support students and their college experience derives from her journey as a first-generation student who sought support from her family and mentors along the way. Lee is aware of the challenges that students of diverse and vulnerable populations may face while attending college while simultaneously carrying familial and life responsibilities. Lee is originally from Stockton, California, where her family still currently resides. During her time in California, she attended the San Joaquin Delta Community College and graduated with an A.A. degree in Psychology and a Certificate in American Sign Language. Lee received her B.S. degree in cognitive science with a minor in psychology from the University of California, Merced, in 2015. Lee completed a dual master’s degree in higher education and comparative international education from Penn State in 2017 and received a Ph.D. in higher education in 2021.

Felrette Greene

Graduate Assistant

Felrette Greene joined the Student Success Center as a Graduate Assistant in the Fall of 2021. They are currently a first-year student at Penn State pursuing a master’s degree in International Affairs. Felrette recently Graduated from the University of Rhode Island where they majored in Political Science. As a student at URI, they served on the Student Senate, acted as the President and Founder of the Black Student Union, and participated in multiple clubs and organizations that enhanced the campus community. Felrette has conducted research focusing on the intersection of Black women and rules that affect them within institutions and workspaces. During the summer of 2020, they were an intern for Senator Reed of Rhode Island. Through their multiple experiences, Felrette has a history of advocating for and mentoring others. Through these experiences, Felrette learned the importance of serving the community through leadership, advocacy, and support. Felrette looks forward to growing at Penn State, contributing to the mission of the Student Success Center, and engaging with this new community.