Academic Coaching


What is Academic Coaching?

Academic Coaching at the University of Georgia (UGA) exists to address the holistic needs of undergraduate students that impact their academic success. Academic Coaches helps students assess where they are now and articulate where they want to be going forward. Coaches help students identify their best next actions steps and how to connect those steps with their long-term goals and core values. Academic Coaching empowers students to engage intellectually, leverage curiosity, and explore creative solutions to their own unique challenges.

Students participating in Academic Coaching will:

  • Identify their strengths and barriers to develop evidence-based strategies to reach their goals
  • Adopt self-directed behaviors that develop accountability and a mindset allowing for decisive action
  • Identify actionable next steps congruent with their long-term goals and core values
  • Feel empowered and equipped to effectively manage future challenges
  • Foster a sense of belonging and understand the unique value they bring to the UGA campus community

 

Why Academic Coaching?

Whether you're an incoming student transitioning into life at UGA or a fourth year student preparing for life after college, all students can benefit from meeting with an Academic Coach. Our Academic Coaches take time to get to know you and what success at UGA means for you.

 

What can students expect from an Academic Coaching session?

We think its important to get a holistic picture of you as a student so we spend time asking questions to understand what's most important to you, understand your opportunities for growth, and together create an actionable plan for success.

 

How do students book an appointment?

To book an appointment with an Academic Coach, students log onto SAGE with their UGA MyID and password, choose "My Success Network" from the (left) side menu, click "SHOW OTHER SERVICES", select Division of Academic Enhancement to view team members.  To view calendars and schedule an appointment, choose "View Profile" under a Coach and select "Schedule". Students must complete the Academic Coaching Intake Survey before their first session.

 

Meet our Academic Coaches:

Wendy Biddle

Wendy Biddle

Ph.D., Educational Psychology, Gifted Education of Minority Students, University of Georgia

M.A., Latin, University of Georgia

B.A., Classics and Latin, University of Georgia

Office: 223 Milledge Hall

Email: sophiae@uga.edu

Wendy loves working with UGA students, and has done so in a number of ways since coming to Athens as a grad student in Latin literature, followed by Educational Psychology. She has taught Classical literature and language courses in the Classics department, multicultural gifted education for Educational Psychology, and collaborated with the administration of the Freshman College Summer Experience. At the Division of Academic Enhancement, Wendy teaches various student success courses. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, hiking, writing, reading, running, and spending time with her husband and family.

Maggie Blanton

Maggie Blanton

M.Ed., Educational Administration, University of Georgia

B.A., Art History, Wake Forest University

Office: 121 Milledge Hall

Email: mblanton@uga.edu

Maggie's over ten years as a staff member at UGA has given her the opportunity to help students navigate UGA's unique learning environment. She started at the Division of Academic Enhancement in 2012 as the Academic Resource Center Coordinator and currently serves as the Assistant Director for Services. Maggie believes all students have the ability to harness their strengths to succeed at UGA, and that every student can benefit from the academic support provided through tutoring, academic coaching, and mentoring. Outside of work, Maggie enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with her family.

Megan Brock

Megan Brock

Ph.D., Educational Psychology, Applied Cognition and Development, University of Georgia

M.S., Psychology, Applied Developmental Psychology, Clayton State University 

B.S., Psychology, Georgia Southern University 

Office: 226 Milledge Hall

Email:megan.brock25@uga.edu

Megan is a lecturer and an academic coach in the Division of Academic Enhancement. She support students in exploring empirically based learning strategies and developing strategic plans to improve their academic performance and transform their academic trajectory. She has a strong background in educational psychology and developmental psychology.

Nicholas Colvard

Nicholas Colvard

Ph.D., Ecology, Evolution, and Marine Biology, Northeastern University

M.S., Biology, California State University, Northridge

B.S., Marine Biology, University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

Office: 215 Milledge Hall

Email: nicholas.colvard@uga.edu

Nick is passionate about student success in higher education and wants to help support students achieve their highest potential by equipping them with the appropriate tools and confidence in pursuit of their dreams. Nick is the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) Literacies lecturer, and teaches various other courses in DAE. He has a strong science background and can provide a unique perspective for students interested in or declared as a STEM major. Previously, Nick has worked in the Center for Teaching and Learning and in the School of Ecology at UGA. Outside of work, Nick enjoys spending time with his wife, son, and golden retriever exploring Athens and the surrounding area.   

Rachel Pharr

Sarah Jeffery

M.Ed., Professional Counseling and Student Affairs, University of West Georgia 

B.S., Early Childhood Development and Education, Central Michigan University 

Office: 132A Milledge Hall

Email: sarah.cramer@uga.edu

Sarah has a passion for working with college students to help them succeed not only in their academic career, but in life. She is driven to help students flourish and cultivate their learning at UGA to meet their unique version of success. Sarah coordinates the Division's Peer Education efforts while also serving as an Academic Coach. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys hiking in the mountains of North Georgia with her husband and dog, Gus, camping, boating, and traveling to Michigan to see her family.  

CLee

C'Lee Johnson

B.A., English, Young Harris College 

Office: 132B Milledge Hall  

Email:cl04333@uga.edu   

C'Lee is the Assistant Coordinator of Peer Education and works closely with student to encourage peer learning and teaching.  She enjoys meeting with students throough Academic Coaching and helping them succeed academically.  As an Academic Coach, C'Lee encourages student to take steps toward both academic and personal goals--she enjoys motivating students to be the best that they can be!  Outside of work, C'Lee enjoys reading, watching TV, and spending time with her two pets.

 

Wendy Biddle

Kenny Lawal

M.Sc., in progress, Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of Georgia

B.Eng., Electrical and Electronics Engineering, Univerisity of Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria

Office: 132E Milledge Hall

Email: kehinde.lawal@uga.edu

Kenny is a graduate student in UGA's College of Engineering in the Electrical and Computer Engineering program and an academic coach in the Division of Academic Enhancement. She works with any undergraduate students seeking to improve their academic performance. She also work with students on academic probation. Kenny help students with time management and becoming more efficient and proficient in reading and test preparation. She enjoys reading fictional novels, traveling, singing, working out, cooking and hanging out with friends.

 

PAIGE_MANDAS

Paige Mandas

Ph.D., in progress, Counseling Psychology, University of Georgia

M.Ed., Clinical Mental Health Counseling, University of Georgia 

B.S., Psychology; Cum Laude, Georgia College & State University 

Office: 132E Milledge Hall  

Email:pam38354@uga.edu    

Paige is a Graduate Assistant for the Division's Academic Coaching and Retention Programs.  She graduated with her Master's in Mental Health Counseling from UGA.  She is currently a Doctoral Student in UGA's College of Education, in the Counseling Psychology program. .  

Rachel Pharr

Rachel Pharr

M.S.W., Social Work with Clinical Concentration, University of Georgia

B.S., Psychology with Neuroscience Emphasis, Georgia College and State University

Office: 220 Milledge Hall

Email: rpharr@uga.edu

With an educational background in psychology and social work and six years of experience working in Higher Education, Rachel has a true passion for helping others. Currently. Rachel serves as Academic Coach in addition to being the Coordinator of Communications for the Division of Academic Enhancement. Rachel’s approach to working with students is centered around a belief that all students have the potential to succeed if given the proper support and environment. In her spare time, Rachel enjoys spending time with her husband, daughter, and two dogs, cooking, traveling, and refurbishing old furniture.

 
 

If you have questions, need assistance, or would like more information about the Academic Coaching program, please contact our team at daecoaching@uga.edu

If you would like to make a specific request for coaching not currently offered, please do so here

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