Success Coaching

Jawa Alqatanani, Success Coach

• 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! 

Aaron Coleman, 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).

Emilia Dunn, 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. 

Anna George, Success Coach

• 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

• 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! 

Maddie Skjefstad, Success Coach

• Current Major/Program: M.S CMHC (Clinical Mental Health Counseling)
  • Undergrad Major & Minor: Psychology and concentration in ethics
• Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, FL and West Chester, PA
• Biggest Challenge as an Undergrad:Adjusting to virtual classes & trying to stay productive in them.
• Biggest Success as an Undergrad: Meeting new people that are now great friends!
• Fun fact: I went to Halloween Horror Nights once and cried because I was so scared!
• Reason for becoming a Success Coach: To connect with students looking for support staying on top of things.
• Favorite study tip or productivity hack: Setting timers!

Rachel Stachowicz, Success Coach (Fraternity & Sorority Life)

• Current Major/Program: Student School Counseling 
  • Undergrad Major & Minor: Psychology
• Hometown: Tinicum, PA
• Biggest Challenge as an Undergrad: My biggest challenge in undergrad was balancing my schoolwork and a social life.
  Biggest Success as an Undergrad: My biggest success as an undergrad was Graduating Summa Cum Laude, and then getting into Grad School. 
• Fun fact: I am a big Philadelphia Eagles fan! Go Birds!  
• Reason for becoming a Success Coach: I love working with college students and being able to relate to them as a student myself. I am happy to help others achieve their goals and be successful in their own way. 
• Favorite study tip or productivity hack: Use a planner/calendar, and the Pomodoro method can be helpful when utilized correctly and consistently.  

Ashley Mader, Success Coach

• 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!

Ashly Vukmanovich, Success Coach

• Current Major/Program: School Counseling Masters
  • Undergrad Major & Minor: B.S in Psychology
• Hometown: Hazelton, PA
• Biggest Challenge as an Undergrad: Getting adjusted to life as a student at a very large university.
• Biggest Success as an Undergrad: I made Dean’s List every semester! 
• Fun fact:  I love to cook! 
• Reason for becoming a Success Coach:  I know how overwhelming it can be for undergrad students to juggle all of their responsibilities in college. I want to be a kind and reliable resource for any student who needs help. 
• Favorite study tip or productivity hack: I reward myself after a productive study session by taking a trip to my favorite coffee shop, restaurant, or binge watching my favorite show! Knowing there is something to look forward to after doing good work is very motivating! 

Riley Wren, Success Coach

• 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, Success Coach for Case Management 

• 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.

Dominique Bennett, 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 sixth 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.