Meet the Team

Email: uestudentsuccess@psu.edu

Phone: 814-865-6101

Location: 325 Boucke Building, University Park, PA 16802

Join our listserv

Schedule a meeting

Meet the Staff

Kelly Griffith

(she, her, hers)

Interim Director

Kelly Griffith stepped into the role as Interim Director in September 2024. Kelly began her career at Penn State in 2006 in residence life, where she advanced to senior assistant director, managing diversity initiatives, the co-curricular learning plan, and strategic planning for the department. In 2016, Kelly became the director of the Office for Summer Session, overseeing programs such as the Learning Edge Academic Program (LEAP) and the Student Transitional Experiences Program (STEP), along with summer marketing efforts and the summer budget model. Kelly's tenure at Penn State has included developing the Summer Success Scholarship, launching the Complete Penn State program, serving on key University-wide committees, and advising student organizations such as the Mu Eta chapter of Zeta Phi Beta and the Black Emotions Advocate Team (The B.E.A.T.). Griffith holds a master's degree in counseling with a focus on student personnel services in higher education from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania, earned in 2006, and a doctorate in educational theory and policy from Penn State earned in 2017. Her research focused on college preparation in rural high schools in western New York.

Chelsey Walls

(she, her, hers)

Assistant Director

Chelsey Walls became the Assistant Director of the Penn State Chaiken Center for Student Success in July 2023, after serving as the Student Success Advocate since March 2022. In her current role, she oversees the Academic Life Coaching program and advises the Eta Psi chapter of Tri-Alpha. As a Student Success Advocate, Chelsey led enhancements to Complete Penn State and First-Gen Student Success initiatives. Prior to joining the Center, she spent 8 years with the Penn State Alumni Association, advising the Blue & White Society, where she emphasized student leader development, membership acquisition, and diversity and inclusion in its programming. Chelsey holds an M.Ed in Higher Education from Penn State and a B.A. in English from Marietta College. As a first-generation graduate, she is committed to helping others achieve success in their academic journeys.

Shidika Goode

Student Success Advocate

In January 2024, Shidika Goode assumed the role of Student Success Advocate at the Penn State Chaiken Center for Student Success. She provides support for the Complete Penn State program, advising the First-Gen Advocates student organization, and contributing to the development of all student success events and initiatives. Before joining the center, Shidika dedicated five years to the Career Services Center, where she served as both the Career Resource Specialist and the Student Outreach Coordinator. During her time at Career Services, she has successfully created long-lasting partnerships and run a successful professional headshot program. Shidika holds a Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Higher Education and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in Photography, both earned from Penn State. Shidika, achieved the milestone of being the first in her family to attain a college degree. Although originally from Philadelphia, Shidika has called State College home since 2011.

Lily Russell

(she/her/hers)

Graduate Intern

Lily Russell joined the Penn State Chaiken Center for Student Success in April 2024 to help support Complete Penn State reporting and process optimization. Lily brings a wealth of experience and a deep commitment to student success to her role at the center. With over five years of experience at the Academic Success Center at Penn State World Campus, Lily has consistently demonstrated her dedication to supporting students in their academic journeys. Lily's work with the center will focus on improving existing processes and developing new ones to enhance student support. Her work is driven by a deep understanding of student challenges and a passion for finding innovative solutions. Lily holds a B.A. in Psychology from Cedarville University, an M.Ed. in School Psychology from Penn State, and is currently a Ph.D. candidate in Educational Psychology at Penn State.

Kiersten Guetlein

Graduate Assistant

Kiersten Guetlein joined the Penn State Chaiken Center for Student Success in August 2024 as a Graduate Assistant. Before arriving to Penn State, Kiersten served as an academic coach for undergraduate students, a university student engagement coordinator, and a specialist in learning differences. These experiences shaped her passion for promoting equitable and accessible standards for institutions of higher education. In the role of SSC Graduate Assistant, Kiersten will support Penn State students as a Complete Penn State Program, Completion Advocate, contribute to our first-generation events and initiatives, and oversee the SSC's social media and marketing initiatives. Kiersten holds a B.A. in Sociology from Arizona State University and an M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction from Washington State University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Education Policy and Leadership at Penn State.