Meet the Academic Coaching Team

Jill (she/her) is a native New Jerseyan and graduate student in Social Work at PSU. She earned a Master's in Higher Education from Boston College in 2016. Jill has experience advising and coaching in higher ed.

Jill specializes in working with CS/Engineering students and has drop-in hours for MCECS students in EB 425, Mon. 12-4pm.

Aftyn (she/they) is a Grad Student in the MSW program. They have experience working in the Education field & volunteering with organizations that support various marginalized groups. Her primary populations of interest are with the Queer, Disabled, and Houseless communities.

Aftyn specializes working with Neurodivergent students.

Erika is a graduate student studying Speech and Hearing Sciences. She has earned her Bachelor's in Violin Performance and used to work as a bilingual Kindergarten teacher in Japan. She speaks Japanese and is passionate about language and cultural exchange. 

Erika specializes in working with International students.

Eddy (she/her) is a Social Work Master's Student at PSU. She has BA's in Community Studies and Environmental Studies from UC Santa Cruz. She has experience working in conflict mediation, restorative justice and survivor advocacy. In her free time she drinks tea, reads, makes things and envisions building a better world.

Meg (she/her) has a B.S in Speech, Language & Hearing Sciences and is attaining a MPH:Environmental Systems & Human Health. Meg took ASL for 4 years and has a minor in Deaf Studies. She was an algebra tutor during her two years of Americorps service. 

Meg specializes working with STEM students and is the go-to support for Math 111Z.

Liv (she/they) is an Academic Coach at PSU and a student within the Masters in Social Work program. They have a B.A. in Anthropology and Psychology from the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her primary communities of engagement include people with disabilities and LGBT+. 

Liv specializes in working with Neurodivergent students.

Alyssa (she/her) is a Ph.D. student in Geology here at PSU. This is her 2nd year working as an Academic Coach. She is a first generation student and is passionate about increasing access and equity in education. Outside of coaching, she loves volcanoes, video games, and her greyhounds.

Alyssa specializes in working with STEM students.

Katy (she/they) is the STEM AC Coordinator. They got their Master’s from PSU (ELP, PACE) and a Bachelor's in Exercise Science from Willamette University. Katy has a STEM background, is legally blind (has low-vision) and is passionate about accessibility.

They specialize in working with STEM students and students with disabilities.

Sophie (they/she/elle/ella) is a PSU instructor, coach, and alumnus. They are a Sick/ Disabled and neurodivergent Xicane who has a diverse background in STEM, arts/ design, and education. Sophie completed her B.S. in math and M.S. in higher education right here at PSU!

Sophie works exclusively with Portland Scholars.

Brittany (she/her) is the Asst. Director of Academic Coaching and has worked at PSU since 2021. She has a M.Ed in Counseling and a B.S. in Psychology. Before moving into higher education, she worked in mental health & social work in her hometown of Chicago.

Brittany specializes working with Graduate students.