Student Engagement Team

Saint Louis University’s School for Professional Studies has a dedicated student engagement team to help you achieve your degree or certificate. From questions about your application and orientation to academic planning and registration, SLU's academic coaches and student engagement team are with you every step of the way.

Justin Smith, M.S.H.E.
Student Engagement Manager
314-977-2334
justin.smith@slu.edu

Academic Coaching Philosophy

At the SLU School for Professional Studies, it is our goal to provide you with the tools you need to succeed. To help you achieve success and reach your academic goals, you will be assigned an academic coach for the entirety of your academic career. Your academic coach will help you understand your degree or certificate program, and assist you with course planning and selection. Your coach will also refer you to resources for academic and career success and identify academic policies and procedures as they relate to the Jesuit model of education.

Undergraduate/Certificate Academic Coaches

Alyssa Brown
Academic Coach II
314-977-7411
alyssa.b.brown@slu.edu

Programs: General Studies, Leadership and Organizational Behavior, Nursing - R.N. to B.S.N., Organizational Leadership and Technology, and Project Management

Ashley Eckhardt
Academic Coach II
314-977-2164
ashley.eckhardt@slu.edu

Programs: Brewing Science and Operations and Cannabis Science and Operations

Kyle Chapman, M.S.
Academic Coach I
314-977-3321
kyle.chapman@slu.edu  

Programs: Computer Information Systems, Emergency Management, and Security and Strategic Intelligence.

Graduate/Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Academic Program Coordinators and Coaches

Elena Farel, Ph.D.
Academic Program Coordinator
elena.farel@slu.edu

Programs: International Global Graduate Students with Last Name A-D and P

Carmen Gruchalla, M.A.
Academic Program Coordinator
carmen.gruchalla@slu.edu

Programs: International Global Graduate Students with Last Name E-K, R and T

Katie Maclean, M.S.W., LCSW
Academic Program Coordinator
kathryn.maclean@slu.edu

Programs: International Global Graduate Students with Last Name L-O, S, and U-Z

Sharon Spicer, M.P.A.
Academic Coach, Senior
314-977-3324
sharon.spicer@slu.edu 

Programs: Online Graduate Degrees and Certificates

Student Financial Engagement Team

Shayla Johnson, M.A.
Student Financial Engagement Coordinator
314-977-5141
spsfinaid@slu.edu

Rachel Wang, M.S.
Student Financial Aid Counselor - International Global Graduate Students
314-977-2315
rachel.z.wang@slu.edu

Student Engagement Specialists

Debra Blanquart, M.A.
Academic Records Specialist, Sr.
314-977-3347
debra.blanquart@slu.edu

Eric Miller, M.A.
Admissions Specialist, Sr.
314-977-7812
eric.miller@slu.edu

Career Counselor

Yang (Emily) Li, Ph.D.
Career Counselor
yang.li.2@slu.edu