Student Success Coaches
Every student in the Bachelor of Science of Health Sciences (BSHS) and Bachelor of Sciences in Health Professions (BSHP) programs is assigned a student success coach.
Mission
Grounded in the field of student development and in collaboration with faculty, staff, and community partners, student success coaches provide individualized support and broad student advocacy to help students navigate their college experience. By fostering strong relationships, student success coaches mentor students through academic, career and personal development, supporting them to reach their goals through intentional self-reflection.
Guiding Principles:
Student Success Coaches are guided in their practice to:
- Embrace a holistic approach
- Encourage and model an appreciation of diversity
- Promote engagement
- Support and promote a proactive mindset
- Strive for meaningful, authentic relationships
Student Success Coaches Provide:
- Academic Coaching
- Career Coaching
- Life Coaching
- Pre-Health Coaching
How Students are Coached:
Academic Coaching
- Help students develop an education plan that could align with more than one health science pathway
- Check in with faculty to gain an overview of student progress
- Challenge and support students to meet their academic goals
- Help students navigate through academic policies and program and system-wide graduation requirements
Career Coaching
- Encourage engagement and reflection of multiple career options within health sciences
- Help prepare students fro their next steps after graduation
- Challenge and support students to create multiple career paths
Life Coaching
- Support students through different transitions of their college career
- Support students through personal impacts that can happen during a college education and direct students to the appropriate resources
Expectations
Student Success Coaches
- Understand and communicate the BSHS curriculum
- Listen to and respect students
- Assist students in creating an educational plan that meets their academic and career goals
- Talk with students about their academic progress in courses and identify strategies for improvement
- Be available to answer questions and/or meet with students
- Refer students to resources
Students
- Check their U of M email and respond in a timely manner
- Respect that their Coach does not have all the answers
- Be open and willing to consider other perspectives
- Review there APAS report
- Reflect on their academic and career goals and be open to discuss them
- Reach out to their coach
- Commit to meeting with their Coach at least once per semester
Meet the Team
Jenn Hooke
Senior Student Success Coach
Phone: 507-258-8029
Email: hooke016@r.umn.edu
Schedule an appointment with Jenn
Education: B.A. in History, B.A. in Secondary Education-Social Studies from University of Maryland, College Park; M.S.ED. in Student Affairs Administration from University of Wisconsin La Crosse
Hometown: Eden Prairie, MN
Words that describe UMR: Innovative, personal, caring, and unique!
Advice to college students: Explore your passions and interests outside of the classroom! Academics are a very important part of college, but students often underestimate the impact of experiences that happen when they volunteer, UAA for a course, do a research experience, take a leadership role in a club, or just generally engage on campus and in the community. These experiences often help you define career interests and find personal growth and passion.
Favorite random fact about UMR: When students chose the UMR mascot, the Raptor, in 2010, some students were disappointed to learn that our new mascot was a bird and not a dinosaur (apparently they had a Velociraptor in mind!).
When I’m not at UMR, you can find me: Spending time with my family (husband Alex and daughters Julia and Margaret), traveling to my family’s cabin in the summer, looking for deals and shopping at Costco and Target, on the yoga mat, or walking my dog Howie.
Favorite quote: "To love what you do and feel that it matters - how could anything be more fun?" ~ Katharine Graham
What brought me to UMR: I moved to Rochester in 2008 with my husband, who started a job at Mayo Clinic. I had previously taught social studies at a high school in the Washington DC area, and after a few months subbing in Rochester, I was glad to find a position in the Admissions Office at UMR. What an adventure - there were both amazing opportunities and challenges recruiting students for our brand new Health Sciences program. I eventually wanted closer relationships with the students I recruited, so I pursued my masters degree and was lucky enough to move into the coaching role in 2012!
Abdirahman Ikar
Student Success Coach and CORE Coordinator
Phone: 507-258-8077
Email: ikarx002@r.umn.edu
Schedule an appointment with Ikar
Education: B.A. in Biology, Society, and Environment (Healthcare Concentration), University of Minnesota-TC; M.A. in Teaching English as a Second Language, St. Cloud State University.
Hometown: Rochester, MN
When I'm not at UMR you can find me: Enjoying Rochester's beautiful parks with my family, playing basketball at the Y, reading on Kindle, or journaling on Diaro!
What brought me to UMR: Rochester is my hometown and empowering students is my passion.
Words that describe UMR: innovative, supportive, courageous
Advice to students: Take the time to regularly reflect on what gives you fulfillment in life. Then, pave the road that will get you there through hard work and self-care. It will feel impossible at times, and that's okay. Remember that you can't do better than your best, and failure is often a redirection to success.
Lourdes I. Irizarry
Health Professions Program Coordinator
Phone: 507-258-8055
Email: canc0003@r.umn.edu
Schedule an appointment with Lourdes
Education: B.A. in Psychology (minor in American Indian Studies) from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities; M.A. in Counseling Psychology from University of St. Thomas; Ph.D. in Educational Policy and Administration-Higher Education from University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Hometown: Mayaguez, Puerto Rico
Words that describe UMR: Collaborative, vibrant, inclusive
Advice to college students: Look at your college experience as a way to learn about yourself and the world around you. Always try to seek your inner resilience whenever obstacles appear in your path. Be positive, never give up on your goals, and always move forward.
When I'm not at UMR, you can find me: At a nearby park or a local coffee shop writing and reading a book. I also love movies, poetry, drawing, and painting.
Favorite quote: “I can be changed by what happens to me, but I refuse to be reduced by it” – Angelou
What brought me to UMR: The commitment of the campus community to help students reach their highest potential while providing an inclusive environment.
Shelley Jost
Student Success Coach
Phone: 507-258-8119
Email: jost0060@r.umn.edu
Schedule appointment with Shelley
Education: B.S. in Sociology from Ball State University; M.S.ED. in Adult and Higher Education with emphasis in Student Affairs from Northern Illinois University
Hometown: Indianapolis, IN
Advice to college students: With all the course work and other responsibilities you have going on, don’t forget to pause and reflect on what you are learning. Also, take advantage of the resources and opportunities you have while at UMR. You might not have the same chances after you graduate.
When I’m not at UMR, you can find me: Reading, crocheting, hiking or baking
Favorite quote: “Always be a little kinder than necessary.” -James M. Barrie
What brought me to UMR: A very similar story to most who move to Rochester, my husband was offered a position within one of Mayo’s programs. While planning this move I learned about UMR and was blown away with how the school sets up support for their students. I wanted to be a part of this community and thus began my dream of becoming a Student Success Coach.
Courtney Knutson
Student Success Coach
Phone: 507-258-8077
Email: cknutson@r.umn.edu
Schedule appointment with Courtney
Education: As a undergraduate, I studied Organizational Management and Psychology at the University of Minnesota Duluth then earned my Masters in Leadership in Student Affairs from the University of St. Thomas.
Hometown: Rochester, MN
Advice to college students: Take good care of yourself, embrace challenges, and follow your joy.
When I’m not at UMR, you can find me: Reading, writing, teaching a yoga class, or spending time with family.
Favorite quote: “At first glance, it may appear too hard. Look again. Always look again.” -Mary Ann Rodmacher
What brought me to UMR: The chance to do what I love most: guiding folks inward to uncover their unique gifts and purpose.
Grace Nelson
Student Success Coach
Phone: 507-258-8075
Email: gcnelson@r.umn.edu
Schedule appointment with Grace
Education: B.S in Psychology from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville; M.S. in Mental Health Counseling from University of Wyoming, Laramie
Hometown: Cordova, Illinois
Words that describe UMR: Forward, Unique, Collaborative
Advice to college students: Create your own path. We live in a world that gives titles, labels, and groups people together. Try different avenues to see what works best for you. You will feel more invested in the path that you are on when you decide where to go with it.
Favorite random fact about UMR: We're above a mall... I was lost on my first day.
When I'm not at UMR, you can find me: In the outdoors biking, hiking, camping, kayaking, and walking my dogs with my husband. You can also find me trying new recipes, working out, or lounging.
Favorite quote: "Ask yourself what is really important and then have the wisdom and courage to build your life around your answer."
What brought me to UMR: I was drawn to this campus because of the commitment staff and faculty have towards their students and education as a whole. I get to help students reach their academic, career, and personal goals. The opportunities are endless and it is an amazing experience to be apart of the growing UMR campus.
Anna Ribikawskis
Senior Student Success Coach
Phone: 507-258-8107
Email: aribikaw@r.umn.edu
Schedule appointment with Anna
Education: Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Minors in Sociology and Leadership Studies) from St. Norbert College in De Pere, WI; Semester Abroad in Florence, Italy at Lorenzo De Medici
Master of Science in Counseling and Student Personnel from Minnesota State University, Mankato
Hometown: Prior Lake, MN (Graduated from Prior Lake High School)
Words that describe UMR: Innovative, Collaborative, Opportunities to succeed
Advice to college students: Take the time to get to know yourself and your strengths. When you are faced with adversity stop and ask yourself, "what can I learn from this experience?"
Favorite random fact about UMR: Just Ask hours are very unique to UMR.
When I’m not at UMR, you can find me: Spending as much time as possible with my family. I have two very young daughters that keep me busy. I enjoy traveling, cooking, watching football and hosting parties.
Favorite quote: "Attitude is everything!"
What brought me to UMR: The position of Student Success Coach is my dream job because it offers me variety, interaction with students, and a team environment.
Emiko Walker
Student Success Coach
Phone: 507-258-8065
Email: oonkx001@r.umn.edu
Schedule an appointment with Emiko
Education: B.A. in East Asian Studies (minor in Chinese and Japanese language), Kalamazoo College; M.A. in Higher Education (minor in International Education), University of Minnesota.
Hometown: Holland, Michigan
When I'm not at UMR you can find me: Gardening or otherwise enjoying nature (when it's not snowing) or cooking/eating/baking/taking photos of delicious food.
What brought me to UMR: Proximity to family and being a part of the University of Minnesota system. My Master's research focused on access, equity, and cross-cultural competencies in higher education; I also have a strong personal interest in diversity and inclusion, so I am excited to be working with such a diverse and unique student population!
Words that describe UMR: unique, supportive, welcoming, driven
Advice to students: While being successful in class is important, take time to explore and experience! Seek out opportunities and always try. You never know where opportunities may take you, or even introduce you to new passions. Take time to reflect and learn more about yourself. Develop friendships and connect with your community -- someone out there just might introduce you to a life-changing experience. Above all that -- make sure to take time for yourself too! There are so many exciting things out there to experience and learn from, but maintaining your physical, mental, and emotional well-being is probably the most important thing to being successful.
