Peer Academic Coaching Program
Being a Peer Academic Coach is a Designated Experiential Learning Opportunity. Students who successfully complete these designated experiences earn points toward the Beyond the Classroom Challenge and the ThinkAchieve Graduate Recognition, among other awards. For more information and other ways to earn points, please feel free to check out this infographic: https://www.utc.edu/sites/default/files/2020-09/thinkachieveinfographic.pdf or our website at: utc.edu/beyond
Peer Academic Coaches assist students in becoming independent, self-assured learners. Through on-going conversations, a Peer Coach can help you develop and implement strategies to achieve your academic goals. Coaches help students achieve success by providing structure, study-skills building, and accountability. Services are entirely free to currently enrolled UTC students.
Coaches are available for personalized, one-on-one appointments to cover topics such as (but not limited to):
- Tips for New/Incoming Students
New to campus? Need help with UTC Learn or finding campus resources? Let an experienced student set you off on the right path for getting the results you want. - Time Management and Planning
Having trouble getting it all done? Tired of living in crisis mode? Learn practical systems for analyzing what needs to be done, breaking down tasks into manageable steps, and prioritizing to get everything done in the amount of time you have. - Introduction to Effective Study Strategies
Are your study methods not quite getting you the results you want? Learn a variety of proven study strategies that you can apply to meet your goals. - Improving and Maintaining Motivation
In a slump? Don’t know where to start? Just can’t get yourself going? Learn motivational activities to get you—and keep you—moving toward your academic goals. - Effective Concentration
Are you having difficulty paying attention while you study or take in new information? It’s a common problem, and we have some strategies to help. - Planning for Tests and Final Exams
Major tests coming? Coaches can help you prioritize, break down the preparation process into manageable steps, and plan your time to ensure readiness.
To view instructions for scheduling a meeting with a Peer Academic Coach, click here!
"Academic coaching is an interactive process that focuses on the personal relationship created between the student and the coach. The coach challenges the student to think about his or her personal and/or professional goals in order to relate them to his or her academic/educational goals."
-National Academic Advising Association(NACADA)
What do UTC students say about meeting with a Peer Academic Coach:
- "I liked the different strategies that she presented! Not the typical lecture that I expected and she was very chill through the whole meeting."
- "She gave me a lot of tips about how to manage academic stress that I have incorporated into my daily routine and have helped me better navigate my academics."
- "They were able to answer any questions that I had even if they had not necessarily dealt with it before and gave me alternative solutions that were helpful."
- "My coach assisted in finding the root of why I am struggling to study so I can make a more conscious effort of avoiding those behaviors."
Meet our peer academic coaches!

Andres Angel
- Class of 2024
- Major: Computer Science: Software Systems; Minor: Criminal Justice
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: CPEN 3700 Digital Logic and Intro to Computer Hardware
- Hobbies/Interests: Activities with church ministries call Chi Alpha, IOS app development, working out
- Campus Involvement: Member of Web Development Team
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: delegating tasks and assigning them priority to ensure assignments get done on time
Alex Boggs
- Class of 2024
- Major: Actuarial Science
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: American Literature since WWII
- Hobbies/Interests: reading, true crime podcasts, cooking, baking, playing with my dogs
- Campus Involvement: SI Instructor, Honors Court/Student Conduct Board, Brock Scholar
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: time management

Keon Booker
- Class of 2024
- Major/Minor: Criminal Justice
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: Intro to Film
- Hobbies/Interests: cars, traveling, hiking
- Campus Involvement: CRU, Pre-Law Society
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: time management

Kyra Campbell
- Class of 2025
- Major: Graphic Design / Marketing
- Favorite Course at UTC: Art 1020 Space and Sequence
- Hobbies/Interests: art, cooking, thrifting, movies
- Campus Involvement: Mocs Dining Marketing Intern, Art Community, Campus Events Enthusiast
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: organization skills; I love scheduling and knowing how to handle the twists and turns of life!

Navah Chestnut
- Class of 2024
- Major/Minor: Rhetoric & Professional Writing and Humanities Double Major
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: African-American Rhetoric w/ Dr. Palmer
- Hobbies/Interests: I love music, my cat Lewis and my other job where I research cults
- Campus Involvement: Previous Assistant Station Manager for The Perch (UTC's radio station), Honors Council, and Previous member of the Freshman Senate
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: Research!

Kiara Baker
- Class of 2023
- Major: Psychology; Minor: Africana Studies
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: Principles of Neuropsychology
- Hobbies/Interests: Trying new restaurants, documentaries, baking, spending time with friends & family
- Campus Involvement: Psi Chi Honors Society, Brock Scholars Honor Program, Psychology Research Assistant
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: Effective study skills & developing a good routine

Hannah Cheng
- Class of 2023
- Major: Exercise Science
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: Physiology
- Hobbies/Interests: Shopping, Gaming (mostly Valorant), Going to the Gym
- Campus Involvement: President of the Pre-Physician's Assistant Club, Secretary for the Women in Natural Sciences Club, worked for URace and the SI Department
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: Developing good study habits & creating different study methods for various classes that cater to my needs but still suit the curriculum of the course.

Kianne Gimenez
- Class of 2023
- Major/Minor: Psychology w/ a Minor in Women's Gender & Sexuality Studies
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: Intro to Women's Gender & Sexuality Studies
- Hobbies/Interests: painting and drawing, working out, spending time with family and friends
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: Building sustainable, productive routines, staying organized and writing in a planner

Hannah Gilchrist
- Class of 2023
- Major: Psychology; Minor: Child & Family Studies
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: Psychopathology
- Hobbies/Interests: exercising, reading, cooking & coffee!
- Campus Involvement: CRU
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: Time management: using a planner & making to-do lists to avoid procrastination

Lidya Indrajaya
- Class of 2023
- Major/Minor: Exercise Science with a Minor in Psychology
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: Exercise Physiology
- Hobbies/Interests: reading, going to the gym, hanging out with friends
- Campus Involvement: Occupational Physical Therapy Club, Campus Bookstore employee, Peer Mentor for HHP RLC Freshmen
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: organization skills, how to prioritize, and how to take notes in a way that works best for me

Julia Mathew
- Class of 2024
- Major: Pre-Med
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: Biology III
- Hobbies/Interests: Art, Baking, Spending time with friends and family
- Campus Involvement: Pre-Med Society, was a part of UTC Mocs Lead team
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: Being organized and time management

Marlee Sanders
- Class of 2024
- Major: Preprofessional Biology; Minor: Chemistry, Music Performance
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: BioChemistry
- Hobbies/Interests: Hiking, Yoga, Cooking, Playing/Listening to Music
- Campus Involvement: UTC Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, PreMed Society Officer, research with Professors and Erlanger doctors
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: Time Management / Organization! I am involved in a lot of different activities and I have developed the skills to make it all work.

Laini Shabo
- Class of 2024
- Major: Business Management - PreDental
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: Organic Chemistry
- Hobbies/Interests: I love sailing and going on adventures. I also like to shop.
- Campus Involvement: Pre-Dental Club, Chi Omega
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: How I take notes and study best and most efficiently. Also, time management!

Al Shappley
- Class of 2024
- Major/Minor: Major in Psychology with Minors in Criminal Justice, Child & Family Studies and Women's Gender & Sexuality Studies
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: Women Behaving Badly in Film - Honor's Seminar
- Hobbies/Interests: crocheting, embroidery
- Campus Involvement: Honor's College, Psychology Research Assistant
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: There is nothing wrong with asking for help!

Mari Spencer
- Class of 2024
- Major/Minor: Secondary Education English with a Minor in Creative Writing
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: English 2700 Creative Writing
- Hobbies/Interests: writing, dancing, trying new restaurants, hiking, going for walks
- Campus Involvement: Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc., Ladies of GOLD Majorette Team, BSA, Creative Writing Club
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: time management, how to study, effective note taking

Chazmin Taylor
- Class of 2023
- Major/Minor: Biology
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: Intro to Psychology
- Hobbies/Interests: sleeping, eating, talking
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: to create "To Do" lists for schoolwork, how to study

Karess Watkins
- Class of 2023
- Major/Minor: Business (Human Resources Management)
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: Race, Gender, & Video Games
- Hobbies/Interests: reading, playing Animal Crossing & hanging out with friends
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: to ask questions

Abby Young
- Class of 2024
- Major/Minor: Psychology with a Minor in Child & Family Studies
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: Developmental Psychology
- Hobbies/Interests: collecting vinyl albums nad going to record stores / thrift stores
- Campus Involvement: Resident Advisor
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: time management, how to use my resources