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Pioneer Success Coach
Lara Dungan
College of Language, Arts, and Social Sciences
Coaching Mindset:
Student opinions matter to me. I’m here to ask questions and give options. Sometimes there will be difficult moments along the way, but there is always a pathway not yet discovered. Stay hopeful, put in the effort and truly listen to your own voice to get you where you need to be.
Higher Education Background:
- Bachelor of Science, UC Davis, Conservation Biology
- Master of Arts, Simmons College, Teaching
Interests and Hobbies:
- Reading Fantasy/Supernatural Books
- Visiting the ocean
- Taking walks around the neighborhood with my family
Top Defining Moments in Higher Education:
- Connecting with my professors to volunteer on wildlife-related research projects
- Becoming a lab assistant for a class I took the previous year
- A professor announced “You’re a science major that can write!”
- Surviving physics and organic chemistry
While in college, I experienced:
- Uncertainty about my major
- Financial concerns, working while going to school
- Learning what matters most to me, being proud of my choices
- How to be independent
FAQ
Who refers me to a Success Coach?
Professors and other advisors make referrals, or the Success Coach may reach out directly
What can we talk about?
- Short and long term academic and personal goals, academic and personal hardships you are experiencing
- Success tips to assist you with completing your degree - study habits, time management, tutoring, communicating with your professors
- Campus resources - Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS), Tutoring (SCAA), Accessibility Services, Pioneers for Hope (Food pantry, CalFresh), Transfer Student Programs
- Understanding your Degree Audit Report (DAR), University Catalog, MyCompass
- University Paperwork and Procedures - SAP Appeals, Withdrawal forms
- How to connect with your other advisors for GE and major advice
How often do I meet with my coach?
Typically, every two weeks throughout the semester
How long is a coaching session?
30-60 minutes