Success Coaches

Pre-Arrival Guidance

We are here to answer any question you have before you get on that airplane. Let us ease your stress and worries!

Post-Arrival Guidance

From small tasks to larger issues, we can guide and support you as you adjust to your new home. We were once in your shoes, after all!

On-Going Support

We provide a safe and judgement-free zone to discuss anything that concerns you throughout your time abroad.

Academic Program Help

We can help you understand General Education and Elective courses, which Program Courses you must take, and more!

Be Specific

Your coach needs to know the specific question or concern that you need help with and the name of your university.

Bring Details

Please bring any details related to the issue to the session and please be on time. If you have a deadline to meet, let us know.

State Your Goal

Write down the goal for your session and tell your coach the goal when you arrive. If multiple sessions are needed, that's okay.

Find Your Coach & Schedule a Session

Write your awesome label here.

Hi, I'm Rhema Fernandes. As a fellow international student, I understand you face unique challenges, and I am here to help make those experiences a little easier. You can schedule with me for free guidance and coaching on your academic program courses (I serve all universities). I can answer any questions you have about program requirements, and I want you to feel comfortable asking them. I look forward to connecting!

I'm Aastha Verma (she/her), and I'm so excited to be your Student Success Coach! My passion lies in helping international students like you navigate your academic journey in the United States. I speak both English and Hindi, and I'm here to offer you all the support and resources you need to make the most of your time as an international student. Whether you've got questions about your studies, need a little guidance, or just want to chat about your experiences, I'm just a call away! Don't hesitate to reach out. I'm here to help!

I'm Alejandra (she/her), your Student Success Coach. I know the transition to studying in the U.S. can be tough, but don’t worry—you’re not alone. After having spent time living in Germany and France, and working closely with international students, I know just how important it is to have the right support to make the experience smoother and more rewarding. At Shorelight’s Center for Academic Success, we’ve got your back with advice, resources, and guidance to help you succeed. Whether you need study tips or just someone to talk things through with, I’m here for you. Please feel free to reach out anytime!

I’m Alicia Liu (she/her), your Student Success Coach. As a former international student, I understand your challenges, and I'm here to help you thrive abroad. A bit about me: I speak English and Chinese, and I like communicating with people from all over the world. Whenever you need someone to talk to about your new life in the U.S., please don't hesitate to reach out to me with any questions or concerns. I want you to know that your success is my priority. Your journey is important, and I am committed to supporting you.

I’m Alisha Ahmed (she/her), your Student Success Coach. With over three years of experience, I’ve had the privilege of supporting and guiding students in navigating challenges, answering questions, and providing the resources needed to succeed. I truly believe in the power of personal connection and am committed to offering you the guidance you need to feel confident and prepared. I’m fluent in both English and Hindi, and when I’m not helping students, you can usually find me at the gym, squeezing in a workout to clear my head, or like many of you, I love winding down with a Netflix show to recharge! Don’t hesitate to reach out—I’m here to help you succeed both in and out of the classroom.

I’m Asha R. (she/her), your Student Success Coach. I have been associated with Shorelight for the past 5.5 years and have visited various campuses, including UIC and CSU. I also have met students from across the globe, and I’m aware of how it feels to be out of the country and how much support is needed during your journey with us. I'm here to support you in every aspect of your journey both academically and personally. In my free time I play badminton, listen to music, and travel. Feel free to email me or schedule with me anytime!

I’m Camila Farfán (she/her), and I’m here to help you navigate your academic journey. With a background in language education and student mentoring, I understand the challenges of adapting to a new academic and cultural environment. My goal is to support you every step of the way—whether it’s adjusting to university life, improving your study strategies, or finding the right resources. Feel free to reach out whenever you need guidance. I look forward to connecting with you!

I’m Hanna Sun (she/her), your Student Success Coach. Having supported international students for almost six years, I know there might be some challenges and surprises for studying in a new country. I am here to help you with your adventure and make your transitions much easier. A bit about me: I am interested in cross-cultural communication and love making friends with people from different countries. I speak English and Mandarin, and I’m here to help you no matter what kind of questions or concerns you have. We will always find a solution together. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me. I look forward to talking with you!

I’m Lena (she/her), your Student Success Coach. Having worked in the international education industry for more than 6 years, I understand you may face some challenges and difficulties, and I'm here to help you navigate and thrive abroad. A bit about me: I speak English and Chinese, and I’m into reading and watching sitcoms, so feel free to share what books, series and movies you like with me. Meanwhile, if you’re looking for study tips, general advice, or just someone to talk to about your challenges, I’m here to help. Your journey is important, and I am committed to supporting you.

I’m Rhema Fernandes (she/her), your Student Success Coach. As a former international student myself, I know firsthand how exciting—but also challenging—it can be to navigate life and studies in a new country. A bit about me: I speak English, Hindi, and Konkani, and I’m an extrovert who loves connecting with people from all over the world. Whether you’re looking for academic or cultural advice, or someone to talk to about adapting to life in the U.S., I’m here to help. No question is too small or too big—ask away! I can’t wait to meet you and help make your journey a little smoother and a lot more rewarding.

I’m Rituparna Dutta (she/her), your Student Success Coach. Moving to a new country and adapting to university life can be both exciting and challenging! With years of experience working with international students, I understand the journey and am here to support you every step of the way! Whether you have questions, need advice, or just want to chat, I’m here to help make your transition smoother and more enjoyable!

I'm Sanjana Pednekar (she/her), your Student Success Coach! Originally from Mumbai, India, I speak English, Hindi, and Marathi. I also understand the unique challenges you may face, and I'm here to support you in every aspect of your journey—academically, personally, and beyond. Whether you have questions or need support, I want you to feel at ease reaching out. Together, we’ll make your experience smoother and more enjoyable. I’m looking forward to connecting with you soon!

I’m Smile Xiao (she/her), your Student Success Coach. I’ve been working with international students for over 5 years, I understand that navigating life and studies in a new country can be both thrilling and challenging. A bit about me: I speak English and Mandarin, and I used to work with people who were originally from other countries but relocated to my home country, so I love connecting with people from all over the world. No matter what you need to chat about, I will always be a good listener and can’t wait to meet you and help make your journey a little smoother and a lot more rewarding.

No Zoom Link?

Immediately after you schedule with a coach, you should get an email from Calendly with the Zoom link for the session. If you do not see the email, please contact our Live Chat for help right away. Our Live Chat can contact the coach and get the Zoom link for you. Of course, the sooner you get the link, the better, so you won't be late for your appointment.

Need to Cancel?

If your schedule changes and you need to cancel your appointment, we understand. It is much better to cancel than to not show up! There is a link in your confirmation email from Calendly that you can use to cancel, or you can email the coach or ask our Live Chat to cancel for you—just give them the coach's name and your appointment day and time.

Missing Coach?

Sometimes a coach might have an emergency or a mix-up in their schedule. If your coach is not on Zoom within 5 minutes of your appointment start time, please contact Live Chat and give them the coach's name. Meanwhile, if you are more than 5 minutes late to the appointment, the coach will try to contact you first, but after 8 minutes they may leave.

Shorelight's Center for Academic Success

Free Coaching Services

Coach vs. Tutor: Which Do You Need?

Pre-Arrival Guidance

Post-Arrival Guidance

On-Going Support

Academic Program Help

3 Steps to Prepare for Your Coaching Session

Be Specific

Bring Details

State Your Goal

Find Your Coach & Schedule a Session

Your Academic Program Coach

Your Student Success Coaches

Aastha Verma

Alejandra Romero

Alicia Liu

Alisha Ahmed

Asha R

Camila Farfán

Hanna Sun

Lena Sun

Rhema Fernandes

Rituparna Dutta

Sanjana Pednekar

Smile Xiao

Coaching FAQs

No Zoom Link?

Need to Cancel?

Missing Coach?

Online Tutoring & Resources