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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

Michael Charlton: Chemistry Study Coach

Interestingly enough, I started my educational journey late. With a prior disdain for school, I graduated high school with mediocre grades. After some exposure to the real world, I started to develop a strong respect for education and found myself becoming much more open minded and curious.

I eventually started my B.Sc degree at Dalhousie and struggled in my first year as a DISP student. With considerable effort, over the course of my degree I became an increasingly more effective student. I ended up graduating with honours and received first class honours. I am currently pursuing my M.Sc in Chemistry here at Dalhousie and I am discovering along the way that I have a passion for educating students – more specifically for teaching people how to be more effective and independent thinkers.

I strongly believe that my unique background and transition from being non-academic, to a struggling student and to an educator allows me to empathize with and better understand the panoply of difficulties that university students face. I also believe that I am attentive to the needs of students, and can offer advice and strategies which help students become more effective at what they do.

How I Identify: Michael/Mike, male, white, European descent

Pronouns: Him/his

Facts About Me: Semi-professional drummer, dog lover, j'étudie français

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

Brooke Edwards: Social Sciences Study Coach

Fresh out of high school, I found my way to Dalhousie from a small town called Huntsville, Ontario in 2012. I originally came to Dal to get my BA in Psychology, but after taking an intro to social anthropology class I found that my passion for understanding people, society and cultures. 

I graduated with a BA honors in Social Anthropology with a Minor in International Development Studies. I am currently pursuing my MA in Social Anthropology. Throughout my time at Dal, I was lucky to get a job with Student Affairs as Peer Advisor where I found my passion for helping support students through their transition to university and then into the working world. From this job, I continued in Student Affairs as a Study Coach. 

This is my second year being the Study Coach for the Social Sciences and I absolutely love what I do. Having supported students for the last few years, I have come to realize that everyone’s goals and priorities vary depending on life circumstances. I am really passionate about supporting my students by meeting them where they are at, and by helping them create and maintain a study plan that works best for them. My ultimate goal is to support students in building skills that are applicable to their lives even after they are finished at university.

How I identify: White, cisgender female, daughter, sister, first to attend university in my family, friend, and ally

Pronouns: She/her/hers 

Ping Lu: Humanities Study Coach

My educational training and work experience in both China and Canada and my cross-cultural understanding have enabled me to effectively help students improve their study skills. The diversity of my educational background provides a wide range of first-hand experience and understanding to meet students’ needs. I hold a B.Sc. (China) and a M.Ed. (Saint Mary’s University). My PhD (Dalhousie University) focuses on a cross-cultural phenomenon (China vs. Canada), mainly in the field of cultural anthropology. I have been teaching part-time in Halifax universities for 20 years. Consequently, I am able to share my experience as an instructor as well as a Dalhousie grad student. The real-life academic examples from myself, the students I have taught and the students I have coached have greatly contributed to my insights and success as a coach.

I have very much enjoyed being a Study Coach for the past 5 years. As a well-educated, culture-oriented, people person, I am passionate about what I do and excited to provide students with practical help through one-on-one coaching and campus workshops on various topics.  

How I identify: Chinese-Canadian, female, educator, life-long learner

Clifton Strengths: Achiever, consistency, responsibility, empathy, intellection

Pronouns: She, her

Princess Okechukwu: Economics/Management Study Coach

I gained my first degree in Economics from the University of Saskatchewan in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and I am currently taking a Master’s in Public Administration here at Dalhousie. I have worked in different work environments, which have exposed me to different roles. At the same time, I have been fortunate to work in other countries, which has helped me build rapports/connections. All these roles have exposed me to various facets of life and abilities.

I also love to seize opportunities especially when they help with self-growth and career development and are free. I am currently taking two free certificate courses at the University, which are definitely going to help build my career and help me with self-growth.

I genuinely enjoy assisting people and I am very comfortable offering suggestions to people who regularly seek advice. It’s my earnest desire to see people succeed and by so doing, I pay close attention to concerns of others so as to help them grow and help meet their current situation.

During my free time: I sing on Star Maker, listen to gospel teachings by David Ibiyeomie, watch movies, cook or sleep. 

Clifton Strengths: Discipline, focus, consistent, relator, futuristic

Ruemu Osirim: Engineering/Physics Study Coach

As a student who has taken breaks from academia and returned at not only different universities, but in different countries on different continents, I have always had challenges in transition both academically and socially, but I have been able to meet and overcome them. My position as a Study Coach presents me with the opportunity to offer students the kind of support they need from first and second years deciding their degree path to graduate students far from home, enabling them to access those relevant resources they require for success here.

I have my Bachelor’s in Petroleum Chemistry from the American University of Nigeria, a Master’s degree in Oil and Gas Chemistry from Aberdeen and MSc. Chemical Engineering with Design from the University of Manchester. My experience as a Teaching Assistant and a Residence Assistant also adds a wealth of knowledge to my position as a Study Coach.

Pronouns: Her/she/Hers

How I identify: Christian, Nigerian, mother, daughter, sister, cis-Female

Clifton Strengths: Adaptability, analytical, belief, harmony, communication

Nicole Pickett: Life Sciences Study Coach

I started my BSc at Dalhousie with high academic performance in high school and the intention of going on to study physics and biology; Then I failed physics in my first semester of my first year. I struggled for a couple years after that with mental health and finding myself. Now I’m in my last year of my BSc doing my honours in Neuroscience. It took a few years, but through trial and error I have developed solid study skills and I want to use my experience to help you! I love being a Study Coach because it allows me to help you figure out how you study best, without having to make the same mistakes I did. 

In my spare time I love surrounding myself with as many dogs as possible, and I currently volunteer with a society training mobility service dogs. My future academic and career interests lie in dog training, animal-assisted therapy and human-animal interaction. I work part-time throughout the school year and have held several different jobs on campus, so I understand the difficulty associated with a school-work-life balance.

How I identify: Cis female, daughter, sister, friend, able-bodied, white, Canadian, INFP (Myers-Briggs personality type)

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

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