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Bissett Student Success Centre

Room 426, Student Union Building
6136 University Avenue
Phone: 902-494-3077
sfs@dal.ca

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Student Success Centre

Lower Level, Dairy Building
11 Sipu Awti 
Phone: 1-902-893-6672
ssdalac@dal.ca

Meet the Student Success team

Jessica Chubb: Studying for Success Coordinator

I began my career in higher education in 2004 as a graduate writing assistant at Saint Mary’s University (SMU) while pursuing my master’s degree. After 5 years in that role, I went on to hold the position of manager of the SMU Writing Centre. In 2010, I became the coordinator of the Dalhousie Studying for Success (SFS) Program, where my main responsibilities include helping to develop students’ skills in becoming more effective learners. I think the best part of this role has been getting to interact with students, supporting them on their journey to success, and being able to witness positive changes in their academic life.

In addition to my primary work-related duties, my dedication to helping others learn can be seen in my pursuits. For 5 years, I volunteered on a weekly basis in the English Language Learning Program of the Halifax Public Library, where I tutored new immigrants to Canada. For 6 years, I was an instructor with the Refining Program in the College of Continuing Education, where I helped students regain their academic skills necessary for success. For 10 years, I taught students how to effectively write for academic purposes.

I hold an LL.B. (Hons.) degree from the University of London, a B.A. (High Hons.) in International Studies and Politics from the University of Saskatchewan, and an M.A. in International Development from Saint Mary’s University.

Fun Facts: I LOVE to travel and visit new and exciting places. Love theatre, music, and the arts in general. I like museums, castles, and anything with historical significance. Also, I’m originally from the Caribbean, but I hate intense heat. I love winter even when no one else does!

How I identify: Afro-Caribbean, immigrant, proud Canadian, daughter, friend, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, cis-gender female, able-bodied

Clifton Strengths: Relator, Achiever, Harmony, Connectedness, Intellection

Pronouns: she, her, hers

Elizabeth O'Leary: Life Sciences Study Coach

I began my Bachelor of Science at Dalhousie University in 2011 just after I graduated high school. Although I love science, my first two years of my undergraduate degree were a huge adjustment in learning how to study, keeping myself organized and having some semblance of a work-life balance.

I graduated in 2015 with a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Neuroscience. Afterwards, I took two years off to work and travel, during which time, I spent six weeks in Europe. This break from school gave me a lot of perspective on how I wanted to continue my education.

Currently, I am completing a Master of Science degree in Psychology and Neuroscience, and I will be continuing my studies as a Ph.D. student in Psychology and Neuroscience this fall.

This will be my first year as a Study Skills Coach. I am excited to help students figure out how they learn best, and how to make study plans for success!

Fun Facts: I have a certificate in dog training, I am a true crime podcast enthusiast, and I love practicing yoga.

How I Identify: Woman in STEM, able-bodied, cis female, daughter, sister, friend and ally

Pronouns: She, her, hers

Asmita Sodhi: Mathematics Study Coach

I grew up in western Newfoundland, and have been province-hopping throughout my degrees. I completed a B.Sc. in Mathematics and Physics at Mount Allison University and my M.Math in pure Math at the University of Waterloo before beginning my Ph.D. in Math (algebraic number theory) here at Dalhousie. New schools and new programs mean a new way of navigating studies and services, and I am happy to be a member of a team that is here to offer support to students.

As a Study Coach, I work with students to develop and hone the skills they need to be successful in their academic life while at Dal. One of my favourite parts of this role is helping students discover study techniques that will click for them personally and help them in reaching their full potential. It is my goal for students to leave the Study Coaches’ Office more confident in their studies than they were when they walked in.

How I identify: Person of colour, woman in STEM, sister, friend, Canadian of Indian origin

Pronouns: They/them, she/her

Reem Karaballi: Chemistry Study Coach

I obtained my honours and Master’s degree in Chemistry from Saint Mary’s University. Currently, I am pursuing my PhD studies in Materials Chemistry at Dalhousie University. My project focuses on exploring nanomaterials for different applications such as cancer therapy. I have great passion for science, and I love helping students learn more about science. Throughout my studies, I was a teaching assistant, part-time instructor, lab demonstrator, and outreach program coordinator. 

This is my first year as a study coach and I’m thrilled to help students achieve their academic goals and advise them on how to succeed in their studies. I have been interacting with students via one-on-one coaching sessions and providing workshops to help students with their studies. It has been a great experience, and I am looking forward to continuing to help students reach their full potential.

Fun facts: I love being outdoors (not in the winter though), I enjoy hiking, biking, and playing sports. I love baking and cooking and always trying new recipes. I have a 3-year old African-grey parrot.

How I identify: Arab-Canadian, Women in STEM, chemist, daughter, sister, ally, able-bodied

Pronouns: She, her, hers

Nyasha Mandeya: Econ/Management Study Coach

I have spent most of my years in Africa, where I did my Honours degree in Economics, then Masters in Economics, before embarking on an MBA with Nottingham Trent University (UK), and currently completing my thesis in Development Economics at Dalhousie University. I have enjoyed a diverse and interesting career as a business development practitioner, researcher, and economist, hoping to fully unleash my potential as a development practitioner on an international level. While in these roles, I have travelled mostly between Asia, Africa, and Middle East. I enjoyed meeting people from all walks of life, crosscutting from students to presidents, tapping from a deep well of rich cultures, livelihoods, and a great spectrum of intellect. Often, I felt humbled and challenged at the same time to develop myself and those around me academically, and I am passionate about uplifting students at a global level.

Studying in Canada has been quite intriguing given the diversity in the society where I enjoy engagement at an international level with fellow students from all walks of life. I have had exposure working with students as a teaching assistant in Environmental Economics, Field Environmental Economics, Economics of Global Warming and Perspectives of Economic Development in the Department of Economics.  Joining the Studying for Success program has also given me an opportunity to interact with fellow students while impacting positively on their learning strategies and outcomes. The journey so far has been pleasant, as working with fellow students has enhanced my knowledge of the learning process.

Fun Facts: I enjoy travelling, watching wildlife, and would not go to bed without watching a comedy to nourish my sense of humour. I often spare some time for philanthropic work.

How I identify: Proud African Nova Scotian, immigrant, friend, daughter sister, niece, cousin, aunt, cis-gender female and able-bodied

Pronouns: She, Her, Hers

Kristen Schiedel: Humanities Study Coach

I started undergrad without any clear direction of where I wanted to take my degree or what I was hoping to get out of my time at university. As such, I struggled during most of first and second year with motivation and goal setting. I left university after second year to travel for three months in South Africa, Botswana, and Zimbabwe and then did a college program in Baking and Pastry Arts when I returned to Canada. This time away from university gave me a new perspective and helped me determine my values and set goals accordingly. I returned to university to finish my undergrad and then go on to do a Master’s in English. I am currently working on a PhD in English at Dalhousie and my research is in gothic fiction and contemporary women’s writing. 

This is my first year working as a study coach, but I have TA experience in a number of classes in English, Film Studies, History, and Computer Science. 

Fun Facts: I played hockey from the age of 11 to 13 and scored three goals total, averaging one per year. However, two were on my own net. 

How I Identify: cis female, daughter, sister, friend, and ally

Pronouns: she/her/hers

Alireza Siadat: Engineering Study Coach

I began the study coaching profession in 2011 by coaching high school students to succeed in the National Universities Entrance Examinations, and this branch of my career expanded to coaching university students from 2013. It has been 9 years since I started coaching students at different levels and degrees, which is a good demonstration for how much I love it. What I love most about this career of mine is that I can see my students’ success and progress in their academic and professional lives.

Coaching is my secondary career, and my primary career is Structural Engineering, in which I work as a consultant for structural and seismic design of infrastructures like petrochemical complexes, off-shore platforms, bridges, industrial structures, buildings, etc. I have been busy with this profession since 2015. Besides structural design, it is about 3 years since I am an instructor of training courses for engineers in Asia, where I teach them how to design some specific types of structures. I have also been working as a teaching assistant of structural and seismic courses in Dalhousie University and Sharif University of Technology since 2014.

I hold a B.Sc. degree in Civil Engineering from Sharif University of Technology which is the most reputable university in Iran and one of the best in the world. I graduated in the top 5% with my B.Sc. degree and got the title of Exceptional Talent due to my extraordinary achievements in school. I got honorary admission to grad school in 2015 and continued my academic life researching Integral Abutment Bridges and I defended my thesis in 2018. This was intense research with extraordinary findings and inventions. I entered the PhD degree at Dalhousie University in 2019 and now my coursework is finished, which means that I will be focused on my research for the rest of my program. I am so excited about that and I believe it is going to be an amazing adventure.

Fun Fact: I have taught some material about 200 times and I still love to teach them again!

How I Identify: Persian, Male

Pronouns: He, Him, His 

Jack Solomon: Health Professions Study Coach

As a Study Coach, my main responsibility is knowledge translation of non-specific academic skills aimed at developing students’ capabilities in a wide variety of contexts. I am comfortable relating to students based on my shared experiences as a Dalhousie student over the past 7 years spanning 3 degrees.

During my undergraduate degree I took an interest in higher education. I completed introductory courses in teaching philosophy, which provided me with my first opportunity to teach in a university setting. However, I prefer working with students individually and in small group settings as it challenges me to present material in a manner tailored to the student’s needs. As such, I began working with the Studying for Success Program as a tutor, which subsequently developed into my position as a study coach with the program. In this position I am able to interact with students in a meaningful way and watch their development as they realize their academic potential and achieve their goals, which for me is the most rewarding aspect of this job.

Personal: Outside of school I am heavily involved in fitness and I enjoy participating in any sport. I am an outdoor enthusiast and will take every opportunity to pack a tent and disappear into nature!

Professional: I hold all of my degrees at Dalhousie University, including a BSc in Neuroscience (Hons. with Distinction), a MSc in Rehabilitation Research and I am currently completing a PhD in Neuroscience.

How I identify: Son, brother, cisgender male, able-bodied, Canadian

Pronouns: he, him, his