Meet the Academic Coaching Team
Feel free to use the link in each coach's bio to schedule an appointment directly with that coach. Please note that while our coaches specialize in certain areas, you are more than welcome to meet with whomever you would like. And if it doesn't matter which coach you meet with, start by filling out our Academic Coaching Appointment Interest Form (AC Interest Form) and we'll be in touch to get you scheduled!
Juanita (she/her) is a graduate student in the Master of Social Work program at PSU. She graduated from PSU in 2019 with a Bachelor's in Child, Youth and Family Studies. Juanita has previous experience in mentoring. She is excited to be joining the Learning Center team as an academic coach. In her spare time, Juanita enjoys drawing and painting, going to the movie theater, and spending time with family and friends.
Juanita specializes in the Society & Identity Pathway.
Danielle (she/her) is a graduate student in the Master of Social Work program at PSU. She has a background in early childhood education and has provided support to families in the local Portland area. She is new to academic coaching but loves engaging with individuals and is happy to be a part of the Learning Center team. When she is not on Zoom calls she loves to free her mind outdoors, sing in the car louder than necessary, and stay connected with family and friends.
Danielle specializes in the Design, Creativity, & Performance Pathway.
Myrna (she/her, bilingual Spanish or French) is a graduate student pursuing a Master's degree in Educational Leadership and Policy at PSU. Prior to commencing graduate school, Myrna spent an academic year working as an English Teaching Assistant at a high school in Montluçon, France. This experience helped solidify her passion for academia. She is thrilled to join the Academic Coaching team and cannot wait to start assisting students with their academic needs. In her free time, Myrna enjoys hiking, watching Friends, and baking pastries.
Myrna specializes in the Language, Culture, & Meaning Pathway.
Eleni (she/her) received a BA in Psychology, with a Minor in Africana Studies, from San Francisco State and is now in the MSW program at PSU. Formerly a union rep, Eleni has a love for political theory, activism, and reimagining the structures of society. She readily sees the strengths in others and aims to assist her fellow students in unlocking their potential. Eleni places a high priority on honoring the subjective reality of others; she is affirming of neurodivergence and attributes her “outside the box” thinking ability to her ADHD brain. Additionally, Eleni enjoys the outdoors, yoga and meditation, tinkering with her PC, and spending time with her two free-roaming rabbits.
Eleni specializes in the Urban, Public, & Global Affairs Pathway.
Elena (she/her, bilingual Spanish) is a graduate student in the Master of Social Work program at PSU. She has a background in communications, community engagement, and environmental education across public, private, and nonprofit sectors. When she's not coaching, schooling, or working, you can find Elena running along the Willamette, experimenting with dairy-free recipes, and (distantly) hanging out with friends in parks.
Elena specializes in the Engineering, CS, Math & Physics and Health Sciences & the Earth Pathways.
Jessie (she/her) graduated in 2020 from PSU with her Master's in Social Work and a license as a school social worker. She has been an academic coach at the Learning Center since the beginning of the 2019-20 academic year, and became the full-time professional academic coach in the Fall of 2020. When she's not creating SMART goals and color-coded calendars with students, she enjoys teaching cycle classes, long distance running, or cuddling up with a good book and her cat, Kit.
Jessie is our dedicated Graduate Studies coach and also specializes in the Business Pathway.
Here's what some of our students have to say about their coaches:
“Eleni has been an excellent academic coach, I have been helped with so many really helpful pointers and study techniques on how to be a better student with ADHD and brain fog. This has made getting through these last two terms so much better.”
“Juanita was so positive and helpful. I appreciated her patience and insight regarding my study issues.”
“Zach is on spot....quickly had solutions that I was able to implement immediately. I was motivated and surprised by some of the ideas I had, and Zach was able to decipher and suggest an enhanced strategy approach. Grateful!”
“Jessie is so non-judgmental and personable. I don't feel judged if I fall off track with plans, and when things don't work for me, we reassess and work with what is best for my learning style and life.”
