Meet the Achieving the Promise Academy Staff
Director
Email: nik.sushka@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-479-1039 (cell)
Office Location: CT E420
Coaching Mindset:
"Doubt kills more dreams than failure ever will." -Suzy KassemDefining Coaching Moment:
Encouraging students to take leadership of something they want to learn or do is my favorite privilege as a coach. That moment a person shifts from doubting they can accomplish something to wondering how they might to taking the first step to try is wonderful to see. And celebrating on the other side, after they've accomplished it? Nothing compares.
Biography:
I have over 15 years of experience in higher education, include teaching English Composition and Women’s Studies, coordinating community-engaged learning at two and four-year institutions, and grant-funded efforts to develop virtual service-learning opportunities, promote 2020 Census completion, expand student voter engagement, and more. I'm a fierce advocate of educational equity, student-centered learning, and the promise and power of full civic, social, and economic participation for all. A native of Central Illinois and life-long Chicago Cubs fan, I live in Rockville, Maryland with my spouse, our 4-year old, two cats, and, possibly, too many plants and books.Hobbies:
Hiking, Movies, Reading, Traveling, Board Games & Escape RoomsEducation:
MA Central Michigan University, English Language and LiteratureBA University of Texas at Dallas, Literary Studies
Staff
Email: marie.arthus@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 301-802-1330
Office Location: Rockville Campus, SB 102A
Coaching Mindset:
To equip students with knowledge and resources to help them succeed at Montgomery College and beyond.Defining Coaching Moment:
I find listening to student testimonies on reaching their educational goals and expressing gratitude to ATPA for their success to be very fulfilling.
Biography:
My professional background is Counseling and Social Work. I am currently working as a program coordinator for ATPA.While I Was in College:
I was an F-1/ international college student who had very little knowledge about the College experience. It was very challenging in many ways. I surrounded myself with a group of friends, staff, and professors who were very supportive. Having their support was the key to my success in College.
Hobbies:
Music, writing, wellness, travelling, coaching, literacy, education, humanitarian effortsEducation:
MA, Eastern UniversityBA, Eastern University
Office Location: CT E416J
Email: Soheila.ebrahimian@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-678-7488
Office Location: Germantown Campus, BE 119
Email: Raymond.Fermo@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-749-1837
Office Location: Rockville Campus, SC 217
Coaching Mindset:
"There are no failures – just experiences and your reactions to them."
Defining Coaching Moment:
The first time a student told me that she got into the program of her dreams at her
top choice of schools, thanks to a recommendation I wrote for her.
Biography:
I received my bachelor's degree in Physics and Computer Science from the University
of Florida (Go Gators!) and my doctorate of philosophy in Physics from the University
of Maryland (Go Terps!). Since then, much of my career has been in research, as a
theoretical plasma physicist, where I got to study space weather, solar physics, and
the farthest reaches of the solar system explored by man. I've been at Montgomery
College since 2017, and now I am a full time Embedded Coach for the Achieving the
Promise Academy, serving Physics and Engineering students across all campuses of MC.
While I was in College:
I fulfilled my grandfather's dream of completing university. He left his father's
farm because he promised his mother that he would be the first in his family to finish
high school. He never finished college himself, but through his example, he instilled
a love for learning into his children and grandchildren.
Hobbies:
Music (all genres), sports (especially playing tennis), getting people excited about physicsEducation:
PhD, University of MarylandBS, University of Florida
Email: andrea.herman@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-676-0145
Office Location: Rockville Campus, SB 102B
Coaching Mindset:
Building trust and connection is the foundation for taking small steps toward big, bold goals.Defining Coaching Moment:
At the very start of the Covid-19 pandemic, I helped one of my students apply for much-needed emergency funding. Without that financial support, she would not have been able to continue her studies.
Biography:
I am a lover of stories, so it's not surprising that I've worked as a book editor, a writing tutor, and an English professor. As an academic coach, I listen when my students share stories of failure and success, barriers and big dreams. What I say, and what we set out to do together, can change the trajectory of their lives.While I was in college:
I began working with my student peers as a tutor in the Writing Center and as a teaching
apprentice for ENGL 102. I also did research at a local Montessori school, volunteered
as an adult literacy tutor, and worked in the campus dining hall.
Hobbies:
Swimming, camping, running, playing board games
Education:
MA, Georgetown UniversityBA, Ithaca College
Email: theo.holt@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-931-8365
Office Location: Germantown Campus, BE 256
Email: Geraldine.Papillero@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-567-2872
Office Location: CT E416F
Academic Coaches
Email: Sarah.Bluth@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 301-602-5533
Defining Coaching Moment:
I have been inspired by students' hard work, dedication, and persistence.Biography:
I’ve enjoyed coaching students as a career development consultant and academic coach. With over 20 years of experience working for nonprofit organizations, I have extensive experience in educational technology, market research, customer outreach, and new program and service development. While serving in leadership positions at educational associations, I developed and launched new programs and services for educators and educational administrators, produced online professional development courses, and wrote regularly for magazines and trend books.Hobbies:
Art, music, hikingEducation:
MEd, Lesley UniversityBS, Lewis and Clark College
Coaching Mindset
"Habit is persistence in practice.” — Octavia ButlerDefining Coaching Moment:
Whenever students follow-up with me to give me an update on how they overcame a challenge, no matter how big or small, is my favorite thing about coaching.
Biography
I have 12 years of instructional and administrative leadership at community colleges
in Iowa and Ohio. I enjoy connecting students, faculty, and staff to internal and
external resources that help edify our learning community. As a life-long learner,
I'm committed to learning from our students insight and experiences.
While I was in College:
I'm a proud First Generation college student, Pell Grant, and Work-Study alumnus!
I really enjoyed my college experience and thankful for all of the help I received
to graduate.
Hobbies
Golf (Playing and Course Maintenance), Travel, and Performing ArtsEducation
MA, The Ohio State UniversityBSS Ohio University
Email: ida.britton@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-429-3149
Coaching Mindset
"Coaching is unlocking a person's potential to maximize their growth." John Whitmore
Defining Coaching Moment:
Encouraging a student to go to counseling in order to tackle challenges relating to depression.
Biography
I teach courses within the psychology department at Montgomery College. Outside of
Montgomery College, I complete individual, family and group counseling for Youth for
Tomorrow. Moreover, I am a member of the Association of Black Psychologists and the
American Counseling Association.
While I was in College:
I was a member of the TRIO Program and graduated in 3 1/2 years from Bowie State University.
Hobbies
Traveling, listening to different types of music and readingEducation
BA, Bowie State University
MA, Howard University
Ph.D, George Mason University
Email: brianne.friel@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 301-775-6134
Email: Rosa.Garcia1@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-353-0930
Coaching Mindset
Holistic, culturally responsive, and trauma-informed coaching practices can help to support a student's sense of belonging and wellbeing.Defining Coaching Mindset:
A former student graduated and called me to thank me for all of the support I had given him.
Biography
I collaborate with community colleges, community-based organizations/social justice
organizations, state partners, and philanthropy to expand learn-and-earn community
change career pathways across systems and states. I have spent the better part of
my career working to expand college affordability and college access to a high-quality
education for marginalized students and students with low incomes.
While I Was in College:
I overcame the challenges that come with being a first-generation college student
and double-majored in History and Latin American Studies.
Hobbies
Creative WritingEducation
Ed.D, University of Pennsylvania
MPA, Baruch College, CUNY
MA, Teachers College, Columbia University
MA, UCLA
Email: damon.hillman@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-478-8811
Biography
I have a broad background in physics, engineering, and law.Hobbies
Reading, TravelEducation
BS, Alabama A&M University
MS, Fisk University
JD, Miles Law School
Email: Gail.Hoelscher@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 301-717-0798
Email: Sheryl.johnsonross@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 301-367-5747
Email: Hon.Lam@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 301-602-6479
Email: kenneth.li@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-676-0810
Email: Kelly.Livernoche@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 301-602-2846
Defining Coaching Moment:
Any time my students reach their goals, no matter how big or how smallWhile I Was in College:
I had no idea what I was doing! As a first generation college student, I at first struggled to navigate the new setting, difficult classes, and the overall college environment. A few years later, though, I became the first person in my family and among my friends to earn a graduate degree.Education:
MS, James Madison UniversityBS, Eastern Connecticut State University
Email: Catherine.lutter@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 301-928-8045
Email: sally.mcclean@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-567-2012
Coaching Mindset:
I learn from my students. Listening to them is important.Defining Coaching Moment:
Student comes each time and says her grades are improving
Biography:
I taught for 21 years at Montgomery College in the English and Reading Department, internationally at the School of the Hague in the Netherlands, and even pre-kindergarten, middle school, and high school grades. I have been active in the collegewide Peace and Justice Studies Community since 2008 and founded the Soccer for Peace Games on the Germantown Campus in recognition of International Peace Day.While I Was in College:
I learned how fun it is to be an outsider and think differently from the crowd. It took years to find confidence as an outsider.
Hobbies:
All things dealing with Peace and JusticeEducation:
MALS, Wesleyan University
BA, Westminster College
Email: Sandra.Menzies@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-328-4413
Coaching Mindset
“Students are whole and capable. My role is to help them see this for themselves.”
Defining Coaching Moment:
Coaching a student who previously was on academic probation achieve 4.0 while in the
ATPA program. Being the sounding board and providing support.
Biography
Sandy has held quality-related and project management positions at Biocon, Inc.; Otsuka
Maryland Research Institute; TherImmune Research Corporation; and the Food and Drug
Administration (FDA). Sandy is also a yoga instructor, a certified coach, and a mindfulness
advocate and practitioner.
While in College:
I worked and attended classes. I put myself through college. It was hard, yet taking one day, one assignment at a time allowed me to succeed.
Hobbies
Yoga, mindfulness, biking, running, arts and crafts, speakingEducation
AAS, Blue Ridge Community CollegeBS, Biology, James Madison University
MS, Biotechnology, Johns Hopkins University
Email: jane.smith@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-753-4607
Coaching Mindset:
I believe that guiding students to make their own decisions and helping them to become
self-advocates are invaluable life skills.
Defining Coaching Moment:
The best moments of coaching for me are when my students transfer or graduate from
MC because it's their reward for hard work.
Biography:
My career as a business development professional in Information Technology was very
rewarding. One of the best parts of my career was experiencing the rapid evolution
of technology.
While I was in college:
My best college experience was as a student at MC. I attended the UMD as a freshman
but didn't take my education seriously, until I was academically dismissed. MC became
a bridge to academic success!
Hobbies:
Voracious reader, golfing, knittingEducation:
MBA, University of Maryland Global CampusBA, The American University
AA, Montgomery College
Phone: 301.529.4906
Coaching Mindset:
Allow space to give students' personal growth to lead the coaching conversation - Listen, be a resource and an advocateDefining Coaching Moment:
Coaching one of my students to overcome a fear of public speaking to observe her becomeconfident, assertive and a self advocate.
Biography:
I am an Academic Coach and teach Accounting when my time permits. I am also a real estate finance and development professional and run an affordable housing business. I am a member of Together Women Rise and Vision on Africa.While I Was in College:
I participated in community building plans and activities. I co-founded the African Students Association at GW University.
Hobbies:
International Folk Art, Traveling, Cooking and ReadingEducation:
MBA, University of RochesterBA, George Washington University
BA, American University in Paris
Credit and Real Estate Development, Citigroup Center of Global Finance
Email: Chernet.Weldeab@montgomerycollege.edu
Phone: 240-753-4398