“Where” are we located?
The LLCC Student Success office has undergone significant changes over the past few years, so it is the office’s goal that colleagues across campus get to better know the who, what, when where and why of Student Success. This week, we will focus on “where” — meeting students where they’re at. Our offices are open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. However, we do realize the “normal” office hours can be burdensome for students. Many of our Success Coaches have met with students beyond regular hours to best meet their needs.
Springfield
The Student Success office is in Menard Hall, First Floor, Student Services Hall. We can be reached by phone: 217-786-2224 or text: 217-441-2415.
Specialized Programs
Darla Cochran is the workforce enrollment specialist for certificate-seeking students in Workforce Institute programs. She can be reached by phone: 217-786-2407 or text: 217-339-3249. Darla is located in the Workforce Careers Center.
Holly Bauman is the agriculture program specialist and works with students who major in Agriculture and Horticulture programs. She can be reached by phone: 217-786-2276 or text: 217-388-5687. Holly is located in the Kreher Agriculture Center.
Outreach Centers
Beardstown
Brenda Schuster is the site coordinator, and serves as the student success coach for students from the Beardstown area and/or taking classes at that location. She can be reached by phone: 217-323-1782 or text: 309-204-8856.
Jacksonville
Keri Mason is the director, and serves as the student success coach for students from the Jacksonville area and/or taking classes at that location. She can be reached by phone: 217-243-2051 or text: 309-204-8875.
Litchfield
Jessie Blackburn is the director, serves as the student success coach and is available to meet our student’s needs. She can be reached by phone: 217-786-3441 or text: 217-286-1565.
Taylorville
Dee Krueger is the director, serves as the student success coach and is available to meet our student’s needs. She can be reached by phone: 217-786-2778 or text: 309-204-8913.
How We Meet Students
Students can meet with their success coach in-person, phone, or virtually (Zoom or Microsoft Teams). Interestingly, over the past several months it has been almost a 50/50 split of students wanting to meet in-person vs. phone or virtually. Our goal is to meet students where they’re at. A few months ago, one of our success coaches had a phone meeting with a student while the student had to make an unexpected trip to the grocery store with her children. For their meeting, the student managed to get her kids into the quieter shoe aisle so that she could have a productive phone meeting with her coach. While an extreme and not necessarily ideal example, this highlights the importance of meeting the needs of our students.
There are two primary ways that a student can meet their success coach. In an effort to be flexible to students’ lives outside of LLCC, students can meet either by a scheduled appointment or during their coach’s drop-in hours. During peak registration times, we often get feedback that students are not able to schedule an appointment with their success coach for a few weeks. This is where drop-in hours can become particularly useful. Please help us remind students that they can meet with their success coach via a scheduled appointment or during drop-in hours. success coaches split their days between appointments and drop-ins.
Student Success
www.llcc.edu/student-success
www.facebook.com/llccstudentsuccess
www.instagram.com/llcc_studentsuccess
Laurie is the student success coach for degree-seeking students in Workforce Institute programs, criminal justice and students with accommodations. Workforce Institute programs include majors such as automotive, culinary, lineman and related programs. Laurie received her bachelor’s degree in management from University of Illinois Springfield. She has worked in higher education for 26 years in the offices of registration and student success. Laurie is the club advisor for the Black Student Union, serves as African-American History Month Committee chair and also serves on the Technical Review Committee and Enrollment Management Team. When not at work, she enjoys fellowship with her church family, shopping and spending time with her sorority sisters, family and friends.
Richard is the student success coach for business and accounting students. Richard received his bachelor’s degree from University of Illinois Springfield and his master’s from Capella University. He has worked in higher education for 20 years in student services and student success. When not at work, he enjoys spending time with his wife and sons, attending church activities, playing tennis and golf, bike riding and building models.
Claire is the student success coach for STEM majors. These are science, engineering and math related majors. Claire received her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Blackburn College and her master’s degree in human development counseling from University of Illinois Springfield. She is a certified domestic violence professional and a confidential advisor. Claire has attained special training to confidentially assist students experiencing sexual harassment, intimate partner/domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. She has worked in higher education for 17 years, with 15 years in student success. When not at work, she enjoys traveling, spending time with family, reading and watching Netflix.
Melissa is the student success coach for arts and humanities and students in the Honors Program. Arts and humanities include English, communication, art, music and related majors. Melissa received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and minor in sociology from Illinois College, and a master’s degree in human development counseling: community/clinical mental health from University of Illinois Springfield. She completed her Ph.D. in counselor education and supervision from Walden University in May 2021. Melissa is a past president and member of ILACADA and a confidential advisor, with special training to confidentially assist students experiencing sexual harassment, intimate partner/domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking. She has worked in higher education for eight years in student success. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with her son and her friends, and playing games or sitting with a good book.
Shelly is the student success coach for student athletes and social science majors (excluding criminal justice). Social science majors include psychology, political science and sociology-related majors. Shelly received her bachelor’s degree in sociology and is currently working on her master’s degree in higher education and community college from Eastern Illinois University. She has worked in higher education for four years in admission, registration and student success. When not at work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, working on various craft projects and attending Loggers sporting events.
Taylor is the student success coach for nursing students with last names A-K. Taylor received her bachelor’s degree in social work from MacMurray College and earned her master’s degree in higher education administrative services from McKendree University. She has worked in higher education for four years in admission and student success. When not at work, she enjoys spending time reading, playing video games and hanging out with her cats.
Carley is the student success coach for nursing students with last names L-Z. Carley received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in communication from the University of Illinois Springfield. She has worked in higher education for eight years in academic services, teaching, housing and residential life, and student success. When not at work, she enjoys spending time traveling, playing trivia and spending time with her husband and “fur” children.