Pioneer Success Coach

Lara Dungan

College of Language, Arts, and Social Sciences

Coaching Mindset:

Student opinions matter to me. I’m here to ask questions and give options. Sometimes there will be difficult moments along the way, but there is always a pathway not yet discovered. Stay hopeful, put in the effort and truly listen to your own voice to get you where you need to be.

Higher Education Background:

Bachelor of Science, UC Davis, Conservation Biology
Master of Arts, Simmons College, Teaching

Interests and Hobbies:

Reading Fantasy/Supernatural Books
Visiting the ocean
Taking walks around the neighborhood with my family

Top Defining Moments in Higher Education:

Connecting with my professors to volunteer on wildlife-related research projects
Becoming a lab assistant for a class I took the previous year
A professor announced “You’re a science major that can write!”
Surviving physics and organic chemistry

While in college, I experienced:

Uncertainty about my major
Financial concerns, working while going to school
Learning what matters most to me, being proud of my choices
How to be independent

FAQ

Who refers me to a Success Coach?

Professors and other advisors make referrals, or the Success Coach may reach out directly

What can we talk about?

Short and long term academic and personal goals, academic and personal hardships you are experiencing
Success tips to assist you with completing your degree - study habits, time management, tutoring, communicating with your professors
Campus resources - Student Health and Counseling Services (SHCS), Tutoring (SCAA), Accessibility Services, Pioneers for Hope (Food pantry, CalFresh), Transfer Student Programs
Understanding your Degree Audit Report (DAR), University Catalog, MyCompass
University Paperwork and Procedures - SAP Appeals, Withdrawal forms
How to connect with your other advisors for GE and major advice

How often do I meet with my coach?

Typically, every two weeks throughout the semester

How long is a coaching session?

30-60 minutes