Evolve502 recently expanded, adding four new student support coaches. The new coaches, part of the Scholarship and Student Success Team, will work to make sure students have the resources needed to complete their postsecondary degree or credential. The coaches will check in with students on a regular basis, ensuring that students have met academic benchmarks and connecting them with resources to aid in their success. Read below to learn more about Salem Gaines, who is the student support coach working with Evolve502 Scholars at Simmons College of Kentucky and Kentucky Community and Technical College System schools (excluding Jefferson).
Name: Salem Gaines
Job title: Student Success Coach
Hometown: Louisville, KY
Education: BA Cross- Cultural Communication, Simmons College of Kentucky
What led you to Evolve502? Evolve502 has trailblazed the path for students to obtain an affordable college education and has provided sustainable opportunities for students to be better served wholistically as both individuals and participants in their degree programs. Being able to assist students in all necessary avenues of wellbeing to reach their goals is a passion of mine and I truly believe that Evolve502 is diligent in embracing and achieving that goal.
Your job is a new position at Evolve502. What are you most looking forward to as you begin your work? Being in a newly established position, I am looking forward to working with Evolve502 to extend services to students that will provide easy access, individualized coaching opportunities to allow students the ability to stay in close contact with their scholarship status updates, goals, and available aid and resources as well as assisting students with overcoming challenges.
What advice do you have for students who may be facing challenges during college, either with school or personal stressors? One piece of advice that I would strongly recommend to students is to give yourself grace. Life can be and often is challenging. However, by acknowledging your needs and connecting with available resources, growth and progress can be achieved with commitment to putting in effort to accomplish goals.
What is your number one tip for success in college? My number one tip for success in college is to plan properly and stay focused. In order to get to your desired destination, a clear vision of what small goals you wish to accomplish and what bigger goals lie ahead are often key indicators of what will be required to reach the finish line.
What do you wish you had known in college that would have better prepared you for the college experience? One of the things that I wish I had known in college is that new challenges arise often, however, equipping yourself with transferable skill sets that allow you to bounce back and retain academic momentum is vital to being able to maintain balance throughout your college career.
What is one random/fun fact about you? One fun fact about me is that I love to decorate & plan get-togethers with family and friends.