Peer Academic Coaching Program
Dec. 4th, 2023, will be the last day that Peer Academic Coaching services will be offered during the Fall Semester.
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
Jonella Appartaim
- Class of 2023
- Major: Sociology, Minor: Africana Studies
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: African American Lit & Chem I
- Hobbies/Interests: Watching Netflix and shopping
- Campus Involvement: Working at the UTC Bookstore, member of First Love and ASA
- 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!
Kaitlyn Boller
- Class of 2025
- Major: Exercise and Health Science
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: Anatomy & Physiology Basis of Health and Disease
- Hobbies/Interests: Hiking and spending time with friends and family
- Campus Involvement: Occupational and Physical Therapy Club, CHEPS Gen Dorm Peer Mentor, Chi Alpha Campus Ministry
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: Time management & how to study effectively

Emily Cahill
- Class of 2024
- Major: Business Management; Minor: History
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: Women Behaving Badly in Film, American Pop Culture
- Hobbies/Interests: Baking, traveling, painting my nails
- Campus Involvement: Honors College
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: Time management & that it is ok to ask for help
Tori Catlett
- Class of 2025
- Major: Marketing, Minor: Communication
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: Feature Writing with Mr. K
- Hobbies/Interests: Cooking and baking for my family and friends, thrifting, and collecting mugs
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: Establishing a work/life balance
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
Andre Bennett
- Class of 2025
- Major: Mechanical Engineering; Minor: Computer Science & Biology
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: Calculus II / Intro to 2D and 3D Modeling
- Hobbies/Interests: Track & field, sports, driving, meeting new people and tabletop games
- Campus Involvement: Chi Alpha
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: Task / assignment prioritization
Maren Haney
- Class of 2025
- Major: Secondary English Education
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: Survey of American Literature
- Hobbies/Interests: Irish dance, reading, drawing, watching movies with friends
- Campus Involvement: School of Education activities, MocsDining
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: Note-taking, using a calendar daily
Hannah McKenley
- Class of 2023
- Major: Psychology, Minor: Child and Family Studies
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: Family Relations: Family Interactions
- Hobbies/Interests: Golf and Country Music / Concerts
- Campus Involvement: Psi Chi Honor Society, Student Veteran Organization, SALUTE Honor Society
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: Note-taking, time management and organization
Marlee Sanders
- Class of 2024
- Major: Preprofessional Biology; Minor: Chemistry, Music Performance
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: BioChemistry
- Hobbies/Interests: Playing my instruments, yoga, hiking, camping, vegan cooking
- Campus Involvement: President of the PreMed Society, Honors College Ambassador, Principal Bassoonist in the UTC Wind Ensemble & Symphony Orchestra, research with professors and doctors at Erlanger Hospital
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: Organization and planning for the future!

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!
Jaden Toby
- Class of 2024
- Major/Minor: Major in Psychology with Minors in Gerontology
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: PSY 3080 - Principles of Abnormal Psychology
- Hobbies/Interests: Crime/supernatural TV shows, quality time with friends and family, outside activities, painting, and various arts, learning new things, anything animal-related
- Campus Involvement: Chi Alpha, Sociology Club, ALD & PES Honors Societies
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: Designating when to do work throughout the week to avoid procrastination. I am working on finishing projects that I start before moving on to the next thing. Knowing that asking a lot of questions and for others' help is okay!
Kaitlon Yarbrough
- Class of 2024
- Major: Middle Grades Education: English
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: Creative Writing
- Hobbies/Interests: Reading novels, dancing and singing
- Campus Involvement: Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, INC, NPHC, Little H Mason Singers
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: My writing an public speaking skills have improved the most.
Omar Yasin

Abby Young
- Class of 2024
- Major/Minor: Psychology with a Minor in Child & Family Studies
- Favorite Course Taken at UTC: Psychopathology
- Hobbies/Interests: Cooking, watching movies, collecting vinyl records, thrift store shopping
- Campus Involvement: Resident Advisor at Boling
- Most Important Academic Skill you have learned: To set realistic goals, remember the big picture, celebrate my accomplishments and don't be so hard on myself