Peer Success Coaches

College can feel overwhelming, even when things are going well.

Whether you're trying to organize your assignments, recover from a tough exam, create a study plan, or simply figure out your next steps, our Peer Success Coaches can help.

Peer Success Coaches (PSCs) are trained Penn State students who understand the realities of balancing classes, responsibilities, and campus life. They won't tell you what to do or judge your choices. Instead, they'll help you create a plan, stay accountable to your goals, and find strategies that work for you.


How to Connect with a Peer Coach

Whether you need help making a plan, building a new habit, or staying on track, there are several ways to get started with a Peer Success Coach.

If you want to... Try...
Create a plan and figure out your next steps One-on-One Peer Success Coaching
Meet with a Peer Success Coach to talk through your goals, challenges, and strategies for success. Peer coaches are available for appointments in 102 Wagner, the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, the IST Chaiken Center, the Search Bar, and Penn State Learning during the fall semester. See their Starfish for current availability.
Build momentum around a specific goal 3-Week Success Sprint
Work with a Peer Success Coach over three weeks to create a plan, build routines, and stay accountable. You need a referral (from a consultation or 1-on-1 peer coaching appointment) to join a sprint.
Add structure and accountability to your week Accountability Groups
Join a weekly focused work session with other students who want dedicated time to make progress. Registration is open for fall groups now until Nov. 1.
Get a quick answer or talk through a question Drop-In Coaching
Stop by to connect with a Peer Success Coach for quick support, planning, or resource navigation. Peer coaches are available for drop-ins in 102 Wagner, the Paul Robeson Cultural Center, the IST Chaiken Center, the Search Bar, and Penn State Learning during the fall semester. See their Starfish for current availability.

Schedule with a Peer Coach to get started 


What can a Peer Success Coach help with?

Students commonly meet with a PSC to:

  • Create a semester game plan with your syllabi and important due dates
  • Organize and prioritize upcoming assignments
  • Build a study plan for an upcoming exam
  • Manage procrastination
  • Break down overwhelming assignments
  • Adjust to college life
  • Balance academics, work, and involvement
  • Connect with campus resources
  • Recover from a disappointing grade or exam

Not sure what you need? That's okay, too. Many students start with a conversation and work with their coach to identify their next steps.


Meet Our Peer Success Coaches

Our Peer Success Coaches come from a variety of majors, backgrounds, and campus experiences.

Learn more about each coach below and connect with the one that feels like the best fit for you—or simply schedule an appointment and get started.

Alyssa Beers

She/Her
Alyssa Beers headshot
Third Year from Bellefonte, PA
Favorite coaching topics:
Balancing Life and Academics, Motivation and Procrastination, Organization, Time Management

Major:  Accounting

Coaching superpower:  Creating accountability efforts for motivation

What do you wish you knew when you first started college?  Your plan should follow your own idea of success, not anybody else’s

Denzel Girsang

He/Him
Denzel Girsang
Third Year from Chambersburg, PA
Favorite coaching topics:
Academic Skills, Community and Belonging, Time Management

Denzel is studying abroad for fall 2026 but will be available for appointments in the spring!

Major:  Economics

Coaching superpower:  Adapting notetaking for different goals

Campus involvement:  Penn State Jazz Collective

Isabella Tinney

She/Her
Isabella Tinney
Fourth Year from New York, NY
Favorite coaching topics:
Academic Skills, Goal Setting and Follow Through, Motivation and Procrastination, Time Management

Major:  Biomedical Engineering

Coaching superpower:  Making spreadsheets for assignment completion

What do you wish you knew when you first started college?  Always check Canvas, Outlook, and LionPath every day!

James Morgan

He/Him
James Morgan
Fourth Year from Pittsburgh, PA
Favorite coaching topics:
Balancing Life and Academics, Community and Belonging, Motivation and Procrastination, Time Management

Major:  Accounting

Coaching superpower:  Managing time efficiently and effectively

What song or playlist gets you motivated?  80s and 90s rock music

Laura Ferreira Da Silveira

She/Her
Laura Ferreira Da Silveira
Second Year from Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil
Favorite coaching topics:
Academic Skills, Campus Resource Navigation, Organization, Time Management

Majors:  Criminology, Psychology

Top Productivity Hack:  The Pomodoro Technique

Favorite Way to Destress:  Spend a whole day just watching movies and resting.

Leona Riji

She/Her
Leona Riji
Fourth Year from Philadelphia, PA
Favorite coaching topics:
Balancing Life and Academics, Campus Resource Navigation, Community and Belonging, Goal Setting and Follow Through

Major:  Integrative Science (Biological Science and Health Professions)

Coaching superpower:  Breaking down big issues

Penn State origin story:  I did my first two years at the Abington campus!
 

Neha Valamkonda

She/Her
Neha Valamkonda
Fourth Year from West Chester, PA
Favorite coaching topics:
Goal Setting and Follow Through, Motivation and Procrastination, Organization, Time Management

Major:  Computer Science

Coaching superpower:  Organizing overwhelming tasks and schedules

Top productivity hack:  Prioritize weekends! Getting ahead of school work will make life easier during the weekdays
 

Nicholas Bianchi

He/Him
Nicholas Bianchi
Third Year from Elizabethtown, PA
Favorite coaching topics:
Academic Skills, Campus Resource Navigation, Community and Belonging, Organization

Major:  Aerospace Engineering

Coaching superpower:  Knowing what resources will be beneficial for classes, both campus and online

Favorite study spot:  HUB lawn in the spring
 

Bailey Hoff

She/Her
Bailey Hoff
Third Year from Bellefonte, PA
Favorite coaching topics:
Academic Skills, Balancing Life and Academics, Motivation and Procrastination

Majors:  Biology, Secondary Education

Coaching Superpower:  Breaking down classes with heavy workloads

Favorite Study Spot on Campus:  Harry Potter room in the library

Ryan Bell

He/Him
Ryan Bell
Fourth Year from Montgomery County, PA
Favorite coaching topics:
Balancing Life and Academics, Campus Resource Navigation, Community and Belonging, Motivation and Procrastination

Major:  Cybersecurity Analytics and Operations

Coaching superpower:  Being aware of and staying on top of assignments to reduce stress levels

What do you wish you knew when you first started college?  It’s okay to have setbacks

Sanaa Waters

She/Her
Sanaa Waters
Third Year from East Stroudsburg, PA
Favorite coaching topics:
Balancing Life and Academics, Campus Resource Navigation, Community and Belonging, Organization

Major:  Biobehavioral Health

Coaching Superpower:  Turning "I have so much to do" into a game plan

Campus Involvement:  National Council of Negro Women N-SEP Liaison, Caribbean Student Association, Minority Women in Health Fields
 

Kaelonnah Darlich

She/Her
Kaelonnah Darlich headshot
Fourth Year from Littlestown, PA
Favorite coaching topics:
Campus Resource Navigation, Community and Belonging, Organization, Time Management

Major:  Biology

Minors:  Marine Science, American Sign Language

Favorite Study Tip:  Add movement to your studying, walk around while reviewing or use gestures to help concepts stick.

Campus Involvement:  Tri-Alpha First-Generation Honor Society, SPARCC benefiting THON, URFM Ambassador, undergraduate research