I truly believe that as student development professionals we get both the responsibility and the privilege to help students reflect on their lives to find meaning and unlock their potential.
- Jenn Hooke, Director of Student Coaching
University Minnesota Rochester (UMR) Student Success Coaches
Student Success Coaches cultivate individualized relationships with health science students to provide holistic academic, pre-health, career and life coaching, empowering and guiding students in their academic persistence and career development.
Student success coaches are guided in their practice by their core values:
- Ethic of Care: Strive to build authentic and meaningful relationships
- Respect: Treat everyone in our diverse community with respect and dignity
- Empowerment: Promote self-reflection, self-advocacy and decision-making through active listening, while providing both challenge and support
- Guide Students: Proactively support students as they work toward academic and professional goals, connecting them with timely and accurate information and resources
How Your Coach Can Help
You can expect to meet with your assigned student success coach at least once a semester, but are encouraged to meet additionally about any of the following topics. Please note the topic(s) you are hoping to address when scheduling your appointment. You are also welcome to reach out to your coach via email - we are here to help!
Academic Coaching
- Course Registration
- Graduation and Pre-Health Planning
- Academic Support and Goal Setting
- Time Management Strategies
- Navigating Policies or Forms
- Capstone Planning
Career Coaching
- Health Career Exploration
- Connecting Experiential Learning Opportunities
- Resume and Cover Letter Review
- Interview Preparation
- Job Search Strategies
Pre-Health Coaching
- Pre-Health Action Plan Review
- Personal Statement Review
- Entrance Exam Preparation and Strategies
- Gap Year Planning
Life Coaching
- Connecting to Campus Resources
- Well-being Strategies
- Transition to College
Connect with your Assigned Coach
Lainey Brottem
Lainey Brottem (she/her/hers)
Senior Student Success Coach
Email: [email protected]
Schedule an appointment with Lainey
Education: Ph.D. in Higher Education & Student Affairs Leadership (University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, CO); M.A. in English Language and Literature (University of Northern Colorado); B.A. in English and Sports Studies (St. Olaf College)
Hometown: Chicago City, MN
Get to know Lainey: I suppose the three words that would come closest to identifying me are Athlete, Writer, and Nerd. I played three sports in college (basketball, golf, and soccer) while reading a lot of Stephen King and watching a lot of Star Trek and Star Wars. I love to write: academic, fiction, you name it. Writing is also the thing I am best at. I like classic rock music, especially Pink Floyd. My final word is Learner. I love to learn new things, and you can’t go around a corner or down a hallway at a college without learning something you didn’t know before. I like to read and watch movies, go to sporting events, play golf and basketball, and I hate to be indoors in the summer unless I have to be. My favorite place in the world is on my parents’ back deck, looking out at the lake. If my favorite people are with me, even better: my parents who are in their 80s and still going strong; my sister who’s a doctor, too, in Psychology; my partner who was a college athlete, also (but he got a little farther than I did: he played for the Minnesota Twins); my two grown sons who are both actors, one on stage and one in film. A day that includes all these people? That’s a good day.
Groups Served by Lainey:
Favorite Quote: “In my family, if you use ten words when you could have used twenty, you’re just not trying very hard.” - President Jed Bartlet, The West Wing
Jenn Hooke
Jenn Hooke (she/her/hers)
Director of Student Success Coaching
Email: [email protected]
Schedule an appointment with Jenn
Education: M.S.Ed. in Student Affairs Administration (University of Wisconsin La Crosse); B.A. in History and B.A. in Secondary Education-Social Studies (University of Maryland, College Park)
Hometown: Eden Prairie, MN
Get to know Jenn: Education and learning have always been passions. After growing up in the Twin Cities, I moved to the Washington D.C. area for college and discovered a love of working with students, becoming a social studies teacher. When I moved to Rochester, I was glad to find a position in the Admissions Office at University of Minnesota Rochester, finding new ways to work with students. There were both amazing opportunities and challenges recruiting students for our brand new BSHS 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. In my spare time, I love to experience the world through the eyes of my two young daughters, walk and run my rambunctious dog, and read as many books as I can! I love working with students and helping them reflect, make decisions, and make the most out of their college experience.
Groups Served by Jenn:
Favorite Quote:
“To love what you do and feel that it matters; how could anything be more fun?” - Katharine Graham
Ashlyn Kirkpatrick
Ashlyn Kirkpatrick (she/her/hers)
Student Success Coach
Email: [email protected]
Schedule an appointment with Ashlyn
Education: M.Ed. in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs (University of Southern California); B.B.A. in Management and Human Resources (University of Wisconsin-Madison)
Hometown: St. Louis, MO
Get to know Ashlyn: I have a passion for learning and exploring in both life and a formal education setting. I love to travel whenever I can. I particularly enjoy expanding my worldview and learning more about other cultures and perspectives while traveling to new places. So far, I have traveled to 25 countries in Asia, Europe, Africa, North America and Central America. I have also traveled to over 40 U.S. States and lived in seven different cities in the United States. I also enjoy kickboxing and reading in my free time. As a coach, I enjoy building relationships with my students and learning from them and their experiences.
Groups Served by Ashlyn:
Favorite Quote: "There are no rules for living, because you are unique. Find your truth in each moment and dare to live it. That is the way to freedom." -Paul Lowe
Brennah McCorkell
Brennah McCorkell (she/her/hers)
Student Success Coach
Email: [email protected]
Schedule an appointment with Brennah
Education: M.S. Counseling and Student Personnel (Minnesota State University, Mankato); B.S. in Psychology and Alcohol & Drug Studies (Minnesota State University, Mankato)
Hometown: Dennison, MN
Get to know Brennah: A common theme that has shaped my life thus far is education and learning. I love learning about literally anything and everything about the world but especially people. This has led me down various paths in my life including studying psychology, working as a barista in college, as a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor for women with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders and most recently in TRIO Student Support Services supporting first-gen, low-income and students with disabilities in higher education. My favorite part of the work I do is seeing students succeed and achieve their goals.
Outside of work you can often find me reading a romance book or memoir by the pool, watching football (go pack go), hockey or women’s basketball, spending time with my family, checking out local coffee shops and snuggling with my two cats, George and Raven.
Groups Served by Brennah:
Favorite Quote: “In a world where you can choose anger or empathy, always choose empathy” - Abby Jimenez, Just for the Summer
Alisha Nelson
Alisha Nelson (she/her/hers)
Student Success Coach
Email: [email protected]
Schedule an appointment with Alisha
Education: M.S. in College Student Affairs (Nova Southeastern University); B.A. in Children, Youth and Family Studies (Trinity Lutheran College); A.A in Liberal Arts and Sciences (Rochester Community and Technical College)
Hometown: Rochester, MN
Get to know Alisha: I’ve always been guided by curiosity and a willingness to take the unknown path. That spirit has led me to formative experiences—from attending a remote boarding school in the Cascades to serving communities in rural Ohio during a gap year, and helping build stoves in Guatemala and Costa Rica. I’ve also worked as a barista, organic farmer and community organizer and once lived in a dry cabin in the foothills of Skagit Valley.
At the heart of each journey is my core value: community. I believe young adults can change the world—especially with strong mentors and the right tools. That belief led me to earn a master’s in college student affairs from Nova Southeastern University, where I served as assistant director of student leadership and civic engagement, guiding students on local, national and international service trips.
Now back in my hometown, I’m grateful to continue supporting students as they grow into compassionate leaders in and beyond the healthcare system. When I’m not working, you’ll find me road-tripping, gardening or exploring with my golden retriever, Gracie Grey.
Groups Served by Alisha:
Favorite Quote: “Before you tell your life what you intend to do with it, listen for what it intends to do with you.”
– Parker J. Palmer
Anna Ribikawskis
Anna Ribikawskis (she/her/hers)
Assistant Director of Pre-Health Student Success Coaching
Email: [email protected]
Schedule appointment with Anna
Education: M.S. in Counseling and Student Personnel (Minnesota State University Mankato); B.A. in Communication Studies (St. Norbert College)
Hometown: Prior Lake, MN
Get to know Anna: I have always enjoyed connecting with and developing others. One of my favorite hobbies is to have deep, meaningful conversations with people. This value and passion has been with me throughout my career development. I worked as a nanny, gymnastics coach, and staffing coordinator before finding my way to becoming a Student Success Coach in 2012. As a coach, I strive to listen, encourage, challenge, and support students.
Outside of work, I am very busy having fun with my 3 daughters. My spouse and I enjoy hosting neighborhood parties and making people feel welcome. As a family, we seek adventure in the outdoors and connection to nature.
Groups Served by Anna:
Favorite Quote: “If you don't like something, change it. If you can't change it, change your attitude.” - Maya Angelou
Betsy Stoltz
Betsy Stoltz(she/her/hers)
Senior Student Success Coach
Email: [email protected]
Schedule an appointment with Betsy
Education: M.S. Educational Leadership (Minnesota State University, Mankato); M.F.A. in Forensics - Communication Studies (Minnesota State University, Mankato); B.A. in Psychology/Speech Communication (Southwest Minnesota State University)
Hometown: Owatonna, MN
Get to know Betsy: Originally from Owatonna, MN, Betsy earned her B.A. in Speech Communication and Psychology from Southwest Minnesota State University, M.F.A. in Forensics - Communication Studies from Minnesota State University, Mankato and a M.S. in Educational Leadership from Minnesota State University, Mankato. In addition to serving as an academic advisor, Betsy has experience teaching communication studies courses as well as coaching collegiate speech and debate teams. In her free time she enjoys spending time outdoors, gaming, and spending time with friends and family.
Groups Served by Betsy:
- Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Students
- PSEO Students
- Early Assurance Doctor of Pharmacy Students
Favorite Quote: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then when you know better, do better. “ - Maya Angelou
Alan Thompson
Alan Thompson(he/him/his)
Senior Student Success Coach
Email: [email protected]
Schedule appointment with Alan
Education: M.S. in Counseling and Student Personnel (College Student Affairs) from Minnesota State University, Mankato; B.A. in Journalism and Spanish from Augustana University
Hometown: Rural Nicollet, MN
Get to know Alan: Alan grew up on a small family dairy farm. He worked one year in public relations for Fortune 500 companies and lived in Colombia for two years, where he taught English and coordinated the Ministry of Education’s bilingualism program. Alan served as a study abroad advisor for Latin America for four years in Austin, TX. In his free time, he enjoys spending time with loved ones in nature, speaking Spanish, listening to music in Portuguese & playing pickleball.
As a coach, Alan advocates for student needs and student success to make all students feel welcome and improve institutional processes. He challenges and supports students to achieve success–whatever that looks like for them.
Groups Served by Alan:
- Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Students
- Early Assurance Respiratory Care Program
- UMR/Mayo Clinic Invest in Success Scholars
Favorite Quote: “It takes time to live. Like any work of art, life needs to be thought about.” - Albert Camus
Emiko Walker
Emiko Walker(she/her/hers)
Senior Student Success Coach
Email: [email protected]
Schedule appointment with Emiko
Education: M.A. Higher Education, International Education minor (University of Minnesota, Twin Cities); B.A. International & Area Studies, Japanese & Chinese minors (Kalamazoo College, MI)
Hometown: Holland, MI
Get to know Emiko: I've always been a curious person and that curiosity has brought me many places across the globe. I love learning about different identities, cultures, traditions and practices. I have either lived in or traveled to nearly 30 different countries & territories and I hope to keep that number growing. While living in Japan, I found that I really loved working with college students, and developing opportunities for them to create their own success. I moved to Minnesota to grow my knowledge of student development in higher education and haven't left! I love the opportunities I have as a coach to meet new people and I continue to learn something new every day.
When I'm not on campus, I am likely at home baking, cooking or spending time with my kids.
Groups Served by Emiko:
- Bachelor of Science in Health Sciences Students
- International Students
- NXT Gen Med Students
- Early Assurance Occupational Therapy Doctorate Students
Favorite Quote: "Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced." - James Baldwin