Student Success Coaching

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What is Student Success Coaching?

Student Success Coaching offers personalized, one-on-one support that can help you reach your academic and personal goals. Your coach will work with you to develop college success skills, access available resources, and build connections throughout your entire time at Clark.

What it is:

An opportunity to learn and practice skills for success, including study skills, time management, note taking, organization, goal setting, and more.

A welcoming and supportive space to explore your strengths and challenges.

An ongoing source of encouragement and motivation from someone who believes in you.

What it is not:

This service is not meant to replace existing resources/processes that already exist on campus (academic advising, registration, enrollment, financial aid, etc.)

Coaching is not subject-specific tutoring.

Success coaching will not replace an ongoing connection to a helping professional (i.e. mental health care). Please access the Counseling and Health Center for this service.

Who is it for?

Students who want to develop strategies and skills for making positive change.

Students who are looking for consistent encouragement and guidance to stay on track and achieve their success.

Students who are new to college or unsure how to navigate campus resources and systems.

Schedule an Individual Appointment with a Student Success Coach!

Schedule Your Session

Meet Our Success Coaches

Phoebe Cordova

Program Specialist 3

(360) 992 - 2382
pcordova@clark.edu

Pronouns: they/them

Degree(s):
Master of Arts - Conflict Resolution (2024) from Portland State University
Bachelor of Arts - Applied Linguistics (2021) from Portland State University

Area(s) of Study:
Business and Entrepreneurship
Public Service, Society, and Education

Clark employee since November 2024

I have always loved learning, but as a queer, non-binary, first-generation college student, I struggled to figure out where my place was in higher education. Things started to shift when a couple of faculty members took the time to get to know me and offer me individualized guidance. These relationships provided me with the critical support that I needed to find my footing and have an enriching academic experience. Over time, both my self-awareness and self-confidence as a student grew and I completed both my bachelor's and master's degrees at Portland State University.

While in graduate school, I was the teaching fellow for the McNair Scholars Program and partnered with Portland State University’s Higher Education in Prison program, providing me with the opportunity to work closely with first generation and underrepresented students. It quickly became clear to me that I loved learning about, with, and from students and that it was immensely rewarding to be able to be a part of their academic support system.

I believe that when someone is able to experience the specific type of success that they want to, whatever that may be and look like, the people they engage with and spaces that they step into benefit and are enriched. For this reason, and so many others, I feel incredibly lucky to get to partner with students at Clark as a success coach.

Katia Quintero

Program Specialist 3

(360) 992 - 2834
kquintero@clark.edu

Preferred Name: Katia (she/her/ella)

Degree(s):
Bachelor of Science - Child and Family Studies (2018) from Portland State University

Area(s) of Study:
STEM

Clark Employee Since January 2022

Hi! I’m Katia, and I’ve been a Student Success Coach at Clark College since January 2022, supporting the Student Success Coaching Program. I earned my Bachelor of Science in Child and Family Studies from Portland State University and have experience working with students from K–12 through college, with a strong focus on those who are systemically underrepresented and navigating socio-economic challenges.

As a first-generation college graduate, I’m passionate about helping students from non-traditional backgrounds find their path in higher education. I know firsthand how overwhelming college can feel, and I’m here to help you navigate the system—whether that means improving communication with faculty and staff, getting connected to resources, or building academic skills.

I’m bilingual in Spanish and can help bridge language barriers that may be getting in the way of accessing programs or support services.

When I’m not working with students, you can usually find me cooking, experimenting in my garden, or off on a road trip with my family in search of new hikes and beautiful views. I’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest most of my life, and I love taking advantage of everything it has to offer.

Lana Strickland

Program Specialist 3

(360) 992 - 2831
lstrickland@clark.edu

Degree(s):
Master of Arts--English Literature from San Jose State University
Bachelor of Arts--English Literature from Duksung Women's University, Seoul, Korea

Areas of Study: Health Care, Creative and Communication Arts, and Advanced Manufacturing

Clark Employee since January 2022

As an adult immigrant from South Korea to the U.S., I’m deeply grateful for the mentors who generously guided me through college, career, and life in a new country. With their support, I found my path in higher education, focusing on programs that serve and uplift underserved students. That journey sparked my passion for mentoring and coaching.

Now, as a Success Coach at Clark College, I help students find clarity and confidence as they navigate college life. In our one-on-one coaching sessions, we focus on building self-awareness, identifying personal strengths, and creating practical strategies to overcome challenges and grow—both academically and personally. Whether it’s time management, goal setting, or building stronger study habits, I tailor my approach to each student’s unique experiences and needs.

I truly believe success coaching offers students the structure and tools they can use to thrive. I love the work I do—it’s a joy and privilege to walk alongside students as they learn, grow, and take steps toward meaningful goals. What motivates me most is seeing students harness their strengths and grow with purpose and confidence toward their full potential.

I’m here to support you. Whenever you’re ready, let’s connect and explore how you can move toward your next goal.

Student Success Coaching FAQs

What is the difference between academic advising, student success coaching, tutoring, and counseling?

While coaches, academic advisors, counselors, and tutors all support your success at Clark, we have different specialties and skills! Check out the table below to explore which service can support your needs in the best way.

Coaching	Academic Advising	Counseling	Tutoring
Discover your strengths, interests, and motivations Talk with a coach about current obstacles that interfere with your academic success and personal well-being Develop and practice success habits such as organization, time-management, and study skills Connect to campus and community resources, opportunities, and affinity groups	Explore degree programs related to your personal and career goals, interests and abilities Review your degree requirements and plan your progress toward graduation Understand Clark academic policies and procedures Select classes and make long-term plans	Talk confidentially with a licensed counselor about many things, such as school concerns, depression, anxiety, stress management, relationship issues, parenting, substance use, identity issues, and more Learn how to cope with physical, emotional, and mental health issues, thereby improving your sense of well‐being	Receive subject specific guidance that facilitates student learning and academic support Work with skilled tutors who use a variety of strategies to help understand course content, develop study skills, and utilize available resources

Coaching

Discover your strengths, interests, and motivations
Talk with a coach about current obstacles that interfere with your academic success and personal well-being
Develop and practice success habits such as organization, time-management, and study skills
Connect to campus and community resources, opportunities, and affinity groups

Academic Advising

Explore degree programs related to your personal and career goals, interests and abilities
Review your degree requirements and plan your progress toward graduation
Understand Clark academic policies and procedures
Select classes and make long-term plans

Counseling

Talk confidentially with a licensed counselor about school concerns, depression, anxiety, and more
Learn how to cope with physical, emotional, and mental health issues, improving your well‐being

Tutoring

Receive subject-specific guidance that facilitates student learning and academic support
Work with skilled tutors who help with course content, study skills, and available resources

What can I talk to a success coach about?

You can talk with a coach about anything that is impacting your success at Clark – both inside and outside of the classroom. Some topics may include: transitioning to college, developing study strategies, improving personal habits, communicating with professors, accessing resources, and balancing school, work, life and much more. If your coach is not the best person to talk to about a certain topic, they will get you connected with someone who is!

What happens at a coaching meeting? How long are the sessions? How should I prepare for it?

At your first meeting, your coach will take some time to get to know you as a student and as a person. They might ask you about your previous experience at Clark or other schools, your strengths and challenges when it comes to learning, and how you spend your time outside of classes. You will have an opportunity to share what brings you to coaching, and together you and your coach will figure out how to best address your goals. Coaching sessions are typically 45 minutes long – if you decide to meet with a coach weekly, your future sessions may be 30 minutes.

How do I make, reschedule or cancel an appointment?

To make an appointment, visit the Student Success Coaching Bookings page. To reschedule or cancel the appointment, go to the appointment confirmation email in your inbox and click on the "Reschedule" or "Cancel" button.

If you are more than 10 minutes late for your coaching appointment, you will be marked as a "no show" and will need to reschedule.

If you need to move your in-person appointment, please email the coach you have scheduled with.

How often can I meet with a coach?

You will work with your coach to decide how often you'd like to meet. You can meet with a coach just once to resolve an issue you are dealing with or meet regularly (monthly or weekly) during the term to check in and develop ongoing success strategies.

Where does coaching take place?

Individual coaching typically takes place privately in a coach's office, inside the Success Center in the Penguin Union Building (PUB) 002. Virtual coaching is hosted via Zoom. The link is included in the appointment confirmation email.

Which coach should I work with?

You are welcome to meet with any coach you feel is the best fit for your needs. You can meet with the coach associated with your area of study or you can refer to "Meet Our Success Coaches" section to learn more about each coach.

Business & Entrepreneurship, Public Service, Society, and Education – Phoebe Cordova
Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math – Katia Quinteo
Healthcare, Creative & Communication Arts, and Advanced Manufacturing – Lana Strickland

How do I communicate with my coach outside of our coaching sessions?

You can email, call, or text your coach with quick questions.

Phoebe Cordova – 360-992-2382 – pcordova@clark.edu
Katia Quinteo – 360-992-2834 – kquintero@clark.edu
Lana Strickland – 360-992-2831 – lstrickland@clark.edu

If you have questions or concerns that require longer discussion, we encourage you to schedule an appointment.

Schedule a Student Success Coaching Appointment (office365.com)