Meet your success coach!

At St. Edward’s, you’ll have an entire success team to help you personalize your college experience — classes, internships, leadership opportunities, study abroad and more. And it all starts with your success coach.

To help you get more acquainted with your success coach, we asked each of them to answer a few questions about themselves. See what they shared. And be sure to reach out to your coach at any time. You can email them to schedule a call or meeting. They’re always happy to hear from you! 

For more specific information on who to contact for each academic program and/or population, please contact Academic Counseling & Exploration.

Success Coaches with The Bill Munday School of Business

Portrait of Claudia Briseno-Chavez

Claudia Briseno-Chavez, Associate Director and Success Coach

Email Claudia or Schedule an Appointment

Best part about being a success coach: Helping students navigate their college experience and make the transition to our university a little less daunting. Favorite thing to do on the hilltop: Walking around campus and looking at the architecture of the buildings and the beautiful grounds. It can be quite peaceful. Insider campus tip for students: Holy Cross Hall has great areas that are perfect for studying without too many distractions! One surprising tidbit about me: I’ve always been terrified of deep water, but finally, at my age, am conquering my fear and learning how to swim. 

Hannah Fields Success Coach

Hannah Fields, Success Coach 

Email Hannah or Schedule an Appointment

Best part about being a success coach: Supporting students to achieve their own version of success, whatever that means to them, and making sure students know they never have to walk alone during their journey. Favorite thing to do on the hilltop: I love this beautiful campus! Some of my favorite things to do include watching the squirrels play on Sorin Oak, trying a new seasonal coffee from Jo's, or taking an afternoon stroll to look out at the Austin city skyline. Insider campus tip for students: A part-time job on campus is a great way to make additional connections, learn new skills, and ensure your working environment will be supportive of your educational goals. Don't know where to start? Career and Professional Development is a great resource! One surprising tidbit about me: I love animals! I grew up on a vegetable farm and at one point in time, my family had 60 chickens, 20 cats, 5 dogs, 2 goats, and a donkey. Today I have two cats of my own named Callie and KitKat! 

Beth Grant

Elizabeth Grant, Success Coach 

Email Elizabeth or Schedule an Appointment

Best part about being a success coach: Getting to be a part of a student’s journey through higher education! It’s a new phase of life that can come with lots of transitions, but I love getting to walk alongside students through that. Favorite thing to do on the hilltop: Grabbing a cup of coffee at Jo’s and heading for a walk on campus – these trees are beautiful! Insider campus tip for students: If you’re in the area, head to the 3rd floor of Fleck Hall. Who knew the best views on campus are in the bathrooms?! One surprising tidbit about me: I am a huge dog lover! I have a 70-lbs Great Pyrenees / Red Heeler mix named Otis who loves to walk on campus! If you ever want to hear him sing Happy Birthday, just let me know!

Kyle Maddry

Kyle Maddry, Success Coach 

Email Kyle or Schedule an Appointment

Best part about being a success coach: Providing mentorship and empowering students to invest in their education and future. Favorite thing to do on the hilltop: I enjoy walking under the shade of the trees and observing the wildlife on campus. Occasionally, you may spot a red-shouldered hawk or a gray fox! Insider campus tip for students: Don't forget to take care of the nature surrounding campus! Take a moment to appreciate the natural world and pay close attention to the beauty found in the subtle details of your environment. One surprising tidbit about me: I began my college journey pursuing marine biology. Though my path led me to student affairs in higher education, I still hold a deep appreciation for the ocean and all marine life. 

Success Coaches with The School of Arts and Humanities 

Joshua Urie Success Coach

Joshua Urie, Associate Director and Success Coach

Email Joshua or Schedule an Appointment

Best part about being a success coach: Walking alongside students as you figure out what you want from your education, discovering where it can take you. Favorite thing to do on the hilltop: Walk around and take in the beauty of the campus. Insider campus tip for students: Find a specific place to study and keep it sacred. Whether it's a spot on campus, in your own home, or somewhere else utilize that spot for studying and studying only, so that you enter the right headspace even as you near it to begin. One surprising tidbit about me: I've lived in six and a half states: California, Minnesota, Arizona, Illinois, Oregon, and Texas; the half is Washington because my parents moved there while I was in college and though I've spent a significant amount of time there, I haven't actually lived there. I also lived in Ecuador for just under a year, but unfortunately I was a shy kid and didn't learn Spanish.

Cassidy Moore

Cassidy Moore, Success Coach

Email Cassidy or Schedule an Appointment

Best part about being a success coach: Helping students achieve their goals here on the hilltop! I love supporting students during their college journey and witnessing their achievements. Favorite thing to do on the hilltop: Finding a cozy spot outside to eat my lunch, listen to a good book, or have some great conversations with students. Insider campus tip for students: Getting involved on campus could be the best thing you ever do! St. Edward’s has so many student organizations to join and events to attend. It’s a great way to find your people. One surprising tidbit about me: I am a movie buff! M. Night Shyamalan, Jordan Peele, and Wes Anderson are some of my favorite directors.

Fernando Izaguirre

Fernando Izaguirre, Success Coach

Email Fernando or Schedule an Appointment

Best part about being a success coach: Listening to student concerns and helping them develop a plan of action towards accomplishing their dreams and goals! Favorite thing to do on the hilltop: Seeing the Austin city skyline and attending sporting events. Insider campus tip for students: Don't be afraid to step out of your comfort zone. Apply for internships, join a club, make new friends, but more importantly enjoy your college experience at the hilltop! One surprising tidbit about me: For five years I competed locally and nationally as a player in the Pokemon Trading Card Game. I'm also a huge Harry Potter fan. Go Hufflepuff!

Success Coaches with The School of Behavioral and Social Sciences

Roel Martinez Success Coach

Roel Martinez, Associate Director and Success Coach

Email Roel or Schedule an Appointment

Best part about being a success coach: Working with learners who want to step and leap into their future. Favorite thing to do on the hilltop: Walk around campus on my lunch break and talk to students away from the office. Insider campus tip for students: Jo’s Coffee in Doyle Hall (I call it “Secret Jo’s”) is a great place to have a quiet cup of coffee if you need a moment to yourself with caffeine involved. One surprising tidbit about me: I have an affinity for analog writing tools — pencils and typewriters to sharpen, fix and use.

April B

April Buentello-Srock, Success Coach

Email April or Schedule an Appointment

Best part about being a success coach: Collaborating with faculty and staff to provide mission-driven services to all the students and families we serve. Favorite thing to do on the hilltop: Roam around campus and enter nostalgic spaces connected to my undergraduate and graduate years. Insider campus tip for students: Explore our beautiful campus and get to know it — and visit faculty and staff during office hours! One surprising tidbit about me: I got to meet Gabby Rivera, one of my favorite writers and advocates, and the first Latina to write for Marvel Comics.

Portrait of Kyle Kaiser

Kyle Kaiser, Success Coach

Email Kyle or Schedule an Appointment

Best part about being a success coach: Helping first-year students transition to college and learning about their academic goals. Favorite thing to do on the hilltop: Going for runs through campus — running in front of Main Building that overlooks downtown is awesome. Insider campus tip for students: Use the different study spaces available around campus — you don’t just have to go to the library or study in your residence hall. One surprising tidbit about me: I’m a fan of true crime podcasts.

Michael Rodgers

Michael Rodgers, Success Coach 

Email Michael or Schedule an Appointment

Best part about being a success coach: I love having conversation with students and faculty/staff about the college experience and growing as individuals. Favorite thing to do on the hilltop: Taking walks around campus and going to the Recreation and Athletic Center (RAC). Insider campus tip for students: The earlier you park on campus - the better the parking spot! Also, the bright side of having early morning classes is that it often means free afternoons. One surprising tidbit about me: I am afraid of heights but will still get on roller coasters without a second thought!

Amber Weir

Amber Weir, Success Coach 

Email Amber or Schedule an Appointment

Best part about being a success coach: I love being a part of the St. Edward's community. Everyone here is so welcoming, supportive and ultimately wants students to succeed in whatever their dreams or goals are for themselves. I'm thankful to get to be a part of students' journeys on their way to those goals/dreams! Favorite thing to do on the hilltop: I love getting Jo's coffee and walking around our beautiful campus! Insider campus tip for students: The view of the Austin skyline in front of the main building while looking over the soccer field is a great place to watch the sunset! One surprising tidbit about me: I taught kindergarten/pre-k for three years (I have a great Friday song)!

Success Coaches with The School of Natural Sciences  

Portrait of Michael Kinsey

Michael Kinsey, Associate Director and Success Coach

Email Michael or Schedule an Appointment

Best part about being a success coach: I really enjoy working with all the student-athletes to help them plan and set goals for their time at St. Edward’s and beyond, as well as occasionally cheering them on at their games! Favorite thing to do on the hilltop: Walk around campus and see what students are up to while drinking a hot cup of coffee. Insider campus tip for students: The best view on campus is from the third floor restrooms in Fleck Hall. One surprising tidbit about me: It's not very surprising, but I used to play baseball and am a proud graduate of St. Edward’s!

Rebecca Yeager Success Coach

Rebecca Yeager, Success Coach

Email Rebecca or Schedule an Appointment

Best part about being a success coach: Helping students plan their future and pursue all of the opportunities that await them! Favorite thing to do on the hilltop: Drink a latte from Jo’s coffee and sit outside (in the shade) under one of the many beautiful trees on campus. Insider campus tip for students: Be sure to use all of the resources that St. Edward’s has to offer to help you succeed, like office hours, the math lab, writing center, tutoring, the Health and Counseling Center, and many others. We all want to see you reach your full potential during your college experience! One surprising tidbit about me: I love to listen to audiobooks and podcasts in my free time! 

Austin Weaver

Austin Weaver, Success Coach

Email Austin or Schedule an Appointment

Best part about being a success coach: Helping students become the best version of themselves. Favorite thing to do on the hilltop: I really find walking around campus to be relaxing, comforting, and a great way to clear my head if I need some time to decompress. Insider campus tip for students: Being engaged is the best way to set yourself up for success. Finding a club or community to join can lead to wonderful experiences and lifelong friendships. It doesn't hurt that additional involvement always looks good on a resume, especially in a position of leadership! One surprising tidbit about me: Before I worked at St. Edwards I was involved with Esports. I've been a professional player, twitch streamer, and college and professional coach.

Success Coach for CAMP Scholars 

Gilbert Contreras

Gilbert Contreras, Success Coach

Email Gilbert or Schedule an Appointment

Best part about being a success coach: I love interacting with students and the conversations that happen outside of my office that keep me updated on current events. Favorite thing to do on the hilltop: Taking time out of my day to walk around campus, enjoying the nature, view and people I encounter.  Insider campus tip for students: Something fun is to take a blanket and sit on the hill in front of Main Building and admire the Austin skyline. One surprising tidbit about me: It’s not a secret but I’m a diehard San Antonio Spurs fan. I’ve been going to games since 1986 — too many games to count.

 

 

Have general questions? Contact Academic Counseling & Exploration by phone at (512) 448-8660 or by email at ace@stedwards.edu.