Success Coaching

Emilia Dunn, Senior Success Coach

• Current Major/Program: Master of Education in School Counseling (M.ED.)
  • Undergrad Major & Minor: B.A. in Social Work and Criminology, Psychology and Sociology minors
• Hometown: Chester Springs, PA
• Biggest Challenge as an undergrad: Connecting with my peers as a transfer and commuter student, but joining clubs and organizations helped me meet new friends and feel apart of the community!
• Biggest Success as an undergrad: I earned Summa cum laude and the Annie E. Gorman award for excellence in Sociology
• Fun Fact: I’m a huge Taylor Swift fan!
• Reason for becoming a Success Coach: I chose to become a Success Coach because I know firsthand how overwhelming college can feel. I had mentors who guided me, and their support made all the difference. Coaching gives me the chance to pay that forward and help students navigate challenges with confidence.
• Favorite study tip or productivity hack: Teach the material to a friend (or even your pet). If you can explain it simply, you’ve understood it. If you get stuck, that’s the area you need to review.

Aaron Coleman, Senior Success Coach (DC-CAP Liaison)

• Current Major/Program: Higher Education Policy and Student Affairs     
  • Undergrad Major: Marketing
• Hometown: Philadelphia, PA
• Biggest Challenge as an Undergrad: My biggest challenge in undergrad was math!
• Biggest Success as an Undergrad: My biggest success as an undergrad was graduating from college and leaving an impact on campus. 
• Fun fact: I officiate weddings.
• Reason for becoming a Success Coach: I had a Success Coach when I transferred to West Chester as an undergrad and she helped me balance my hectic schedule. Being a success coach is my way of giving back! Some students don’t have much help, so I’m happy to support!
• Favorite study tip or productivity hack: Limit distractions (i.e. isolate yourself & turn your phone off to maximize your work time).

Jawa Alqatanani, Success Coach (Returner)

• Current Major/Program: Industrial/Organizational Psychology
  • Undergrad Major: Psychology with a focus in Neuroscience
• Hometown: West Chester, PA
• Biggest Challenge as an undergrad: Finding ways to hold myself accountable and find strong study habits that worked for me.  
• Biggest Success as an undergrad: Advocating for myself, finding good study habits for myself, and after struggling, being on the Dean’s list my senior year!
• Fun Fact: I am a first-generation college student! (Also, I love reading!)
• Reason for becoming a Success Coach: I wanted to be able to help students who struggled with the same things I did so that they can achieve their goals and find their potential! I believe when you have these resources for students, you can reach higher levels of achievement!
• Favorite study tip or productivity hack: I love the 2-minute rule! If it takes just two minutes, get it done, or just take two minutes to start something so you can get the ball rolling! 

Anna George (She/Her), Success Coach (Returner)

• Current Major/Program: Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
  • Undergrad Major & Minor: Psychology, Human Development and Family Studies minor
• Hometown: Uniontown, PA
• Biggest Challenge as an Undergrad: Balancing school and work when I first started undergrad was a huge challenge, but after working on my time management, I was able to work part-time while making it on The Dean's List. 
• Biggest Success as an Undergrad: I was promoted to a coordinator position in the psychology lab I worked in for my senior year.
• Fun fact: I love seeing live music, especially small local shows!
• Reason for becoming a Success Coach: I love helping people and I know undergrad can be a stressful time for students. As a success coach I have the opportunity to help support undergrads in their journey to becoming successful students! 
• Favorite study tip or productivity hack: My favorite productivity hack is to make a list. I'm more likely to complete a task if I have it written down and crossing it off after finishing it feels rewarding. It's a small way of visualizing my goals.

Kaitlyn Horn, Success Coach (Returner)

• Current Major/Program: Speech-Language Pathology
  • Undergrad Major & Minor: Communication Sciences and Disorders
• Hometown: Newton, NJ
• Biggest Challenge as an Undergrad: Learning to balance school with all my extracurricular responsibilities. 
• Biggest Success as an Undergrad: Learning to become a more outgoing person and better leader during this time is something that I am very proud of!
• Fun fact: During undergrad, I was involved with the WCU marching band for four years and I marched in the 2024 Rose Parade! 
• Reason for becoming a Success Coach: I enjoy meeting and talking to new students, and I want to help inspire others to reach their full potential as WCU students. 
• Favorite study tip or productivity hack: Find a quiet place to study on campus that allows you to concentrate. Try utilizing planners and other resources to stay organized and productive! 

Ashley Mader (She/Her), Success Coach (Returner)

• Current Major/Program: Higher Education Policy and Student Affairs
  • Undergrad Major & Minor: History and an Art Studio minor
• Hometown: Harleysville, PA
• Biggest Challenge as an Undergrad: Navigating the transition from high school to college during the pandemic and learning how to make meaningful and fulfilling connections on campus once restrictions were lifted.
• Biggest Success as an Undergrad: Becoming one of the senior peer educators in Bloomsburg’s Health and Wellness Department and being able to help students find the best resources on campus to get help. I learned so much from talking at tables and presenting!
• Fun fact: I have a beagle named Charlie, and he’s very cute!
• Reason for becoming a Success Coach: I know firsthand how important finding on-campus resources will be to students! I was very fortunate to have people to guide me through finding the resources I needed in undergrad, and I wanted to help students in the same way!
• Favorite study tip or productivity hack: Taking short breaks can be productive too! If you are feeling stuck with your work or like you aren’t retaining the information, step away for 5 minutes, take a deep breath, and come back to it with fresh eyes!

Riley Wren, Success Coach (Returner)

• Current Major/Program: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
  • Undergrad Major: Communication
  • Minors: Journalism, Human development & Family Services 
• Hometown: Dallas, PA
• Biggest Challenge as an Undergrad: Adjusting to having more free time and less of a structure to my day, especially compared to high school. 
• Biggest Success as an Undergrad: Graduating Magna Cum Laude and getting into graduate school! 
• Fun fact: I studied abroad in Athens, Greece. 
• Reason for becoming a Success Coach: I want to be an accessible and approachable resource to students to help them succeed academically.  
• Favorite study tip or productivity hack: Having something to look forward to when I am finished with my work, whether that be a sweet treat or watching an episode of my favorite show.  

Ahmed Adeyekun, Case Management Success Coach (Returner)

• Current Major/Program: Master of Geoscience
  • Undergrad Major: Geology
• Hometown: Erin Oke Nigeria
• Biggest Challenge as an Undergrad: Setting a long-term goal for myself was challenging because I was always working with my short-term goals.
• Biggest Success as an Undergrad: Achieving an outstanding academic record in my last two years of school.
• Fun fact: I love meeting and talking to new people.
• Reason for becoming a Success Coach: I have always been passionate about empowering others to reach their full potential. I aim to help individuals navigate challenges, build confidence and achieve their goals.
• Favorite study tip or productivity hack: I like to divide my larger task into smaller tasks to prevent me from being overwhelmed. Also, I discipline myself in creating a schedule, plan out study sessions and sticking to it.

Daniela Carmona, Success Coach (New)

• Current Major/Program: School Counseling
  • Undergrad Major: Sociology
• Hometown: Kennett Square, PA
• Biggest Challenge as an Undergrad: Adapting to a new environment. I found it difficult to leave family and friends by moving to a different state, as well as navigating academic expectations and new relationships.
• Biggest Success as an Undergrad: I am most proud of the person I became by the end of my four years in undergrad. I left undergrad more confident in my personality, beliefs, and abilities.
• Fun fact: I really enjoy movement, whether that is going for a walk, the gym, or dancing! 
• Reason for becoming a Success Coach: I chose to become a Success Coach because I understand how powerful it is to have someone believe in you. 
• Favorite study tip or productivity hack: I like using timers and putting my phone on “Do Not Disturb.”  

Amija Coleman, Success Coach (New)

• Current Major/Program: Accelerated Bachelors to Master Criminal Justice 
  • Undergrad Major: Criminal Justice 
• Hometown: Washington, DC 
• Biggest Challenge as an Undergrad: Adjusting to a new environment. I think one of the hardest things was being in a new city adjusting to so many things at once.
• Biggest Success as an Undergrad: Being awarded West Chester’s 1871 award , as well as being the President of the Multicultural Advisory Board supporting a board of all women. 
• Fun fact: I am an aspiring Defense Attorney.
• Reason for becoming a Success Coach: I know firsthand how transformative it is to have someone who sees your potential before you fully see it yourself. I wanted to be that bridge for students navigating uncertainty, pressure, and self-doubt. 
• Favorite study tip or productivity hack: Out of sight, out of mind, write it down. Whether it’s in a textbook or flashcards. 

Gianna LaMena, Success Coach (New)

• Current Major/Program: Clinical Mental Health Counseling
  • Undergrad Major: Psychology w/ Concentration in Clinical and Behavioral Health Concentration,
  • Minor: Sociology
• Hometown: Southampton, PA
• Biggest Challenge as an Undergrad: Trying to balance my academic, work, and personal life while also making time for self-care.
• Biggest Success as an Undergrad: Finding my passion in psychology and completing my honors thesis during my senior year.
• Fun fact: I love to bake and experiment with different recipes!
• Reason for becoming a Success Coach: To be a resource for students who feel lost and need guidance from a peer who has been through challenges themselves. I’m excited to meet with students and watch them grow and make progress in their goals.
• Favorite study tip or productivity hack: I like to put on “Study with Me” videos with a timer and instrumental music while I do my homework. It keeps me accountable and creates a calming setting for me to focus.

Em Miller (They/Them), Data & Case Management Success Coach (New)

• Current Major/Program: Higher Education Policy & Student Affairs
  • Undergrad Major: Computer Science
• Hometown: Christiana, Pennsylvania
• Biggest Challenge as an Undergrad: Navigating wanting to enter academia & student affairs as a first-generation student.  I struggled to understand what graduate school options were available, & what academic opportunities to pursue (research, writing papers, clubs, etc).
• Biggest Success as an Undergrad: Receiving two offers for Research Experience for Undergraduates to conduct summer research across the U.S!
• Fun fact: I have built three couches across WCU's campus for various departments!
• Reason for becoming a Success Coach: I know how difficult it can be to find resources & community on campus. Coaching offers me the chance to connect with students & help them thrive—not just survive—throughout college.
• Favorite study tip or productivity hack: “Get it done first, make it good later.” If you’re struggling to get started, any progress, no matter the quality, is still a step forward.

Kyanna Randolph, Success Coach (New)

• Current Major/Program: Higher Education Policy & Student Affairs 
  • Undergrad Major: Communication Studies
  • Minor: Media & Culture
• Hometown: Philadelphia, PA 
• Biggest Challenge as an Undergrad: Being organized, prepared, and staying consistent regardless of my circumstances.
  Biggest Success as an Undergrad: Believing in myself. Not giving up when everything made me feel like I should. I was also the Kente Speaker for the graduating class of 2025.
• Fun fact: I studied abroad in Ghana, Africa twice! 
• Reason for becoming a Success Coach: I want to hone my skills when it comes to advising and supporting students. I have been mentoring others for a couple of years now, but never officially until I became a graduate student. I know that there is so much more for me to learn, and what better than through being a success coach.
• Favorite study tip or productivity hack: Ask yourself, “How do I learn?” When you are in class, how do you retain the information that the professor provides you with? These questions can spearhead the way that you study and can help with productivity. For example, I retain information best through in-class participation. As a result, I annotate and write notes based on the questions I answer and ask. This has helped me tremendously especially when it came to writing papers and taking tests. Knowing what works best for you can enhance confidence in many areas especially productivity. 

Fatoumata Toure, Success Coach (New)

• Current Major/Program: Master of Public Administration (MPA) with a concentration in Nonprofit Management 
  • Undergrad Major: Political Science with a focus on International Relations & French
• Hometown: Media, PA
• Biggest Challenge as an Undergrad: Balancing a demanding course load while learning effective time management skills. Adjusting to college-level expectations pushed me to develop better organization and prioritization strategies.
• Biggest Success as an Undergrad: Completing my degree while strengthening my leadership, communication, and critical-thinking skills, and discovering my passion for public service and community-centered work.
• Fun fact: I speak French and enjoy learning about different cultures and global perspectives.
• Reason for becoming a Success Coach: I enjoy supporting students as they navigate their academic journey. I am passionate about helping students feel confident, supported, and empowered, especially during times of transition or challenge.
• Favorite study tip or productivity hack: Breaking tasks into smaller, manageable goals and using a planner or digital calendar to stay organized and reduce stress.

Dominique Bennett (She/Her), M.A., Associate Director of Academic Coaching & Case Management

Dominique Bennett is a seasoned higher education professional with experience in the onboarding and training of 15 graduate assistants in a former role as Resident Coordinator at La Salle University. She was responsible for directing programming, maintaining a budget, establishing a procedure around crisis intervention and follow up, and collecting and analyzing data to improve services. Dominique holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Science from Lock Haven University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Arts in Adult and Community Education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania.

Dominique is in her seventh year at WCU. In her previous role as Student Success Coordinator to the College of Health Sciences, she conducted individual and group advising sessions for the Department of Kinesiology and the Department of Nutrition while providing support for all the other departments in the College of Health Sciences. Dominique also provided mentorship and coordinated care to students on academic probation or at risk of dismissal.

Dominique provides supervision on the individualized academic skills sessions and group academic success workshops offered by our graduate assistant Success Coaches. Dominique assists in the marketing and assessment of Success Coaching and provides guidance on outreach to students and appropriate case referrals in the EAB Navigate CRM platform.