Denise Poole

Director, Student Success Initiatives

Denise Poole joined Penn State in July 2019 as the University’s inaugural director of student success, overseeing the Student Success Center (SSC) within Undergraduate Education. The SSC administers the Complete Penn State program and scholarship, leads programs and events to support first-generation student success, and supports a variety of retention and degree completion efforts at the university. Denise has served on a variety of committees, taskforces, and change efforts such as the Undergraduate Education Culture and Climate Taskforce, Commission for Adult Learners, First-Gen Advisory Council, Strategic Planning Implementation Team, Transfer Governance Council, Coalition for Student Success, University Advising Council, Approaches to Student Success Working Group, Transforming Education Steering Committee, Student Emergency Aid Distribution Team, The Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF I, II, and III), and American Talent Initiative/Powered by Publics (APLU) Steering Committee. Before Penn State, Denise was the director of academic and student-athlete support services and compliance officer. She was employed with New York University for 13.5 years and served in numerous roles and cross-campus initiatives during that time. Denise is also a Past President of the National Association of Academic and Student-Athlete Development Professionals (N4A), and served 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 have 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. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in workforce education and development with a focus on organization development and change. Denise is a proud first-generation college student and a strong advocate for equity in the academic experience. Originally from Philadelphia, PA, Denise currently resides in State College, PA with her family. 

Stephanie Cardoza-Cruz

Former Graduate Intern

Stephanie Cardoza-Cruz joined the Student Success Center as a Graduate Intern/Success Coach for the Spring 2021 semester. At the time, Stephenie was a second-year graduate student at Penn State pursuing her M.Ed in Higher Education with a focus in Student Affairs. While at Penn State, Stephanie also served as a Graduate Assistant for the University Park Allocation Committee. and as as a graduate intern for Campus Programming and the Office of Summer Session. Throughout her journey in Student Affairs, Stephanie found a passion for supporting students, building impactful relationships, and creating spaces for students that ultimately lead to success. Upon graduation, Stephanie moved on to pursue a professional opportunity at the University of Illinois.  Stephanie had this to day about her time with the Student Success Center.

"My internship with the Student Success Center provided an invaluable hands-on experience that allowed me to truly connect, advocate, and support students. The SSC internship allowed me to grow by challenging me as a professional in a supportive environment. The SSC team is unlike any other which made for a welcoming and inclusive environment as I prepared to enter student affairs. I'm forever grateful for having such an incredible semester with a great team!"

Katie Derreth

Graduate Intern

Katie Derreth joined the Student Success Center as a Graduate Intern for Spring 2022. At the time, she was a second-year graduate student at Penn State University Park getting her M.Ed. in Higher Education with a focus on Student Affairs. Katie also served as a Graduate Assistants in the Office of Fraternity and Sorority Life where she coaches a few chapters and co-advises the Panhellenic Council. She has also previously worked as an intern for Penn State Student Activities, and as a Summer Intern for the Academic Engagement and Transition Programs Office at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County. Prior to coming to graduate school, Katie graduated from Elizabethtown College in 2017 and then worked in Admission at Albright College for a few years. Katie was very involved at her undergraduate institution serving as an orientation peer mentor, a tour guide, a division 3 swimmer and senior captain, and studied abroad, to name a few. Her experiences at Elizabethtown and in Student Affairs since then have all contributed to her passion of helping and supporting students in any way she is able. Katie had this to say about her experiencing working with the Student Success Center,

"I wholeheartedly recommend working in this office because you get exposed to a lot of different offices, resources, databases, and so much more. I’ve learned so much about what it means to work in higher education and how to support and advocate for students. I gained invaluable skills for my future career in higher education and was able to help make an impact on student’s lives at Penn State. On top of the knowledge I gained in supporting students and learning processes, I felt so supported as a person, student, and worker. The amount of support I had in just the few months I worked here was so amazing and I couldn’t have asked for a better office to be a part of!"

Halimat Ogembe

Graduate Intern

Halimat Ogembe joined the Student Success Center as a Graduate Intern in the Spring of 2023.  She is a recent Spring 2022 graduate where she earned her degree in Accounting and a minor in Information Sciences and Technology. Currently, she is pursuing the One-Year Master of Accounting Program at the Pennsylvania State University and a graduate certificate in Business Analytics. During her time at Penn State, Halimat has been involved in a multitude of organizations on campus, including, but not limited to former treasurer for the National Association Black Accountants, former secretary for the African Students Association, and the former president of the Delta Gamma Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated. Currently, she is a Graduate Workshop Intern at Career Services, MAcc Volunteer for the Penn State Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program, and a teaching assistant/proctor for the Accounting Department. Post-graduation, Halimat will begin working for a Big 4 Firm, study for her CPA Exam, and research Master Programs in Corporate Sustainability to expand her interest and knowledge in environmentalism. 

Felrette Greene

Graduate Assistant

Felrette Greene served as the inaugural Graduate Assistant for the Student Success Center from August 2021 to June 2023. Felrette recently earned a master’s degree in International Affairs from the Pennsylvania State University School of International Affairs. Prior to their master's, Ferlette obtained a bachelor’s degree in Political Science University of Rhode Island. Throughout their time at PSU, Felrette has contributed to highlighting minority voices through the School of International Affairs Black Student Union. While supporting the Student Success Center, Felrette supported the Complete Penn State program, First-Gen initiatives, and developed and enhanced the office's social media presence.  Felrette worked directly with hundreds of Penn State students and helped connect them with critical and timely resources to ensure their success. Felrette says the following about their time at the Student Success Center:

“Within this position, I have learned how to be an advocate for First Generation students across the Commonwealth. This position has equipped me with the skills to support students of different backgrounds. Within this role, I gained necessary skills that will be beneficial within my field as I advocate for Human Rights. I am thankful for my time in this role as I was surrounded by amazing staff members and fulfilling work.”