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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 graduating high school. Although I love science, my first two years of my undergraduate degree were a massive 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 as a dog trainer. This break from school gave me a lot of perspective on how I wanted to continue my education.

Currently, I am completing my Ph. D. in Psychology and Neuroscience. I’ve been a study coach with Studying for Success since September 2019, and it’s been a job I genuinely enjoy. My favourite thing about helping students improve their study skills is knowing that these skills will help in all areas of life!

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, cis female, daughter, sister, friend and ally

Pronouns: She, her, hers 

Yurunyun Wang: Mathematics Study Coach

I completed my combined honor's degree in Statistics and Computer Science at Dalhousie University and then continued with the Master's degree at Dalhousie University.  Currently, I am in my first year of a Master in Statistics here at Dal. I chose my area of study because I met a good professor and I want to deeply research my interest fields, data analysis & data science.

This is my first year as a Study Skills Coach. I love helping students become more effective learners and gain the skills to positively develop themselves. 

Fun Facts: I love to watch movies and documentaries. Love handcrafting, puzzle-solving, and traveling. I am a night owl, so I have my peak academic performance late at night.

How I identify: Chinese, female, daughter, Asian

Pronouns: They/them, she/her/hers

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

Mahmoud Elwaraki: Econ/Management Study Coach

I am an Egyptian and moved here to Halifax to pursue my Master's in Economics. I come from an Engineering background after finishing my Bachelor's degree at Newcastle University.

I began this role as a study coach in Septembern2021. I enjoy problem-solving and helping students using my experience and the skills I learned from the job. I enjoy working with people and even though it is online I enjoy meeting everyone. 

Fun facts: I love nature and being outdoors! In my free time, I like to always be outside regardless of the weather. I also enjoy playing basketball.

How I identify: Arab, student, Economist.

Pronouns: He, Him, His

Katia Stapleton: Humanities Study Coach

I was in Southern Spain on a 10-Euro bus ride from Seville to Granada and I’d been flipping through a university brochure. That is how I picked my undergraduate degree. Thankfully, the selection was a fantastic one, and I eventually obtained a BA in Western Society and Culture with a minor in English literature from Concordia University. My degree (which is a mouthful to say aloud!) gave me the opportunity to dive into all the different things I like: history, art history, philosophy, and, most of all, literature. I am currently pursuing my MA in English Literature at Dalhousie. My research focuses on fictional representations of gender-based sexual violence in South African literature. As an avid reader, I love sharing my tips on effective reading strategies (which are essential when the reading list is hefty)! 

This is my first year working as a study coach, and I also work as a TA for the English department. 

Fun Fact: I convinced my high school gym teacher to let me join the track team so that I could skip class to attend the meets. She agreed to let me run the hurdles because no one else wanted to. A tortoise would have done a better job than me, but I gave a fantastic show.  

How I Identify: Sister, daughter, friend, ally, social justice advocate, cis female 

Pronouns: she/her 

Nickname: You can call me Kat if you’re worried about butchering Katia!  

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