Launchpad Student Success Center
Meet Our Advising Team
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DIANA BAKER
Advisor
First-Year Programs Advised:
All students in:
College of Interdisciplinary Studies - Interest Nursing; Interdisciplinary Studies (LIST), Professional Studies, Communication Studies, Environmental
& Sustainability Studies, Basic Engineering & College of Interdisciplinary Studies - Interest Basic Engineering
Email: DBaker@tntech.edu
Phone: (931) 372-3373
Office Location: Volpe Library 180
First time using TechConnect? Click here for assistance.
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More about me...What advice would you give to a new student?
Go to class, you might learn something new. Engage in activities, you might make
some lifelong friends. Pay attention to deadlines, you won’t have the anxiety that
goes with procrastinating.
Name one hobby that you have...
My favorite hobby is kayaking to waterfalls.
What is one stress buster that you use?
I practice a lot of holistic methods like deep breathing, meditation and yoga. These
help to ground myself in stressful situations. When I’m feeling overwhelmed I stop
and remind myself to take a deep breath.
What do you like most about Tech?
I enjoy the beauty of the campus. Many people on campus are friendly and helpful.
Everyone has the same goal of doing what’s in the student’s best interest.
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TENIKA BURGESS
Advisor
First-Year Programs Advised:
All students in: Fine Arts (Music, Art, Music Ed, and Art Ed), Early Childhood Education, Elementary
Education, Multidisciplinary Studies, Special Education, Secondary Education, Exercise
Science, Physical Education & Wellness, Psychology
Email: TNBurgess@tntech.edu
Phone: (931) 372-6336
Office Location: Volpe Library 180
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More about me...What advice would you give to a new student?
Allow yourself to make mistakes but LEARN from them so that NO experience is wasted
because discovering what you DO NOT want to do most likely will lead you to what you
DO WANT.
Name one hobby that you have...
Theatre including storytelling, applied theater, and creating.
What is one stress buster that you use?
Time outdoors with family.
What do you like most about Tech?
The people and the beautiful campus close to nature and bigger cities.
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Advisor
First-Year Programs Advised:
All students in: Agriculture, Human Ecology, College of Interdisciplinary Studies - Undecided, Civil and Environmental Engineering
& College of Interdisciplinary Studies - Interest Civil and Environmental Engineering,
Chemical Engineering & College of Interdisciplinary Studies - Interest Chemical Engineering
Email: LaunchpadSSC@tntech.edu
Phone: (931) 372-6798
Office Location: Volpe Library 180
First time using TechConnect? Click here for assistance.
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More about me...What advice would you give to a new student?
Details coming soon!
Name one hobby that you have...
Details coming soon!
What is one stress buster that you use?
Details coming soon!
What do you like most about Tech?
Details coming soon!
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DANYELLE HAWKINS
Advisor
First-Year Programs Advised:
All students in:
Computer Science & College of Interdisciplinary Studies - Interest Computer Science,
Manufacturing Engineering Technology & College of Interdisciplinary Studies - Interest
Manufacturing Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering & College of Interdisciplinary
Studies - Interest Mechanical Engineering
Email: LDHawkins@tntech.edu
Phone: (931) 372-6281
Office Location: Volpe Library 180
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More about me...What advice would you give to a new student?
Set goals. I believe each student needs a few short- and long-term goals to work toward.
Once you know your schedule, get organized, make a plan, and start working on completing
your goals.
Name one hobby that you have...
My family and I enjoy kayaking when we can find time. We visit different rivers in
middle Tennessee. My husband and son fish from their kayaks. My daughter and I just
float and take in the beauty of the day.
What is one stress buster that you use?
I find I am most at peace when I am outside. After a day at work, I love to sit on
the back patio and listen to nature. I also spend time curating my flowers and garden.
What do you like most about Tech?
I love how Tech's buildings, greenspaces, and people create an educational ambience
that surpasses all other Universities.
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KASSI THOMAS
Advisor
First-Year Programs Advised:
Biology, Chemistry, Geosciences, English, Foreign Languages, History, Mathematics,
Physics, Sociology, Political Science, Wildlife & Fisheries Science
Email: KThomas@tntech.edu
Phone: (931) 372-6841
Office Location: Volpe Library 180
First time using TechConnect? Click here for assistance.
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More about me...What advice would you give to a new student?
‘This too shall pass’ – the good AND the bad! Enjoy the present by getting involved
in your community, and don’t get overwhelmed by the day to day.
Name one hobby that you have...
Does rote memorization of the entirety of iMDB for the purposes of being a future
“6 degrees of Kevin Bacon” Champion count as a hobby?
What is one stress buster that you use?
Comedy podcasts – laughter can be the best medicine.
What do you like most about Tech?
I love how student-centered the campus is. As a student, I always felt supported,
listened to, and respected. As a staff member, I’m here to do the same for you!
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KAYLA WILSON
Advisor
First-Year Programs Advised: Accounting, Basic Business, Business & Information Technology, Business Management,
Economics, International Business & Cultures, Finance, Marketing
All students in:
Electrical and Computer Engineering & College of Interdisciplinary Studies - Interest
Electrical and Computer Engineering
Email: KLWilson@tntech.edu
Phone: (931) 372-3834
Office Location: Volpe Library 180
First time using TechConnect? Click here for assistance.
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More about me...What advice would you give to a new student?
Stay flexible and be okay with not having your entire future figured out right now.
Use this opportunity to explore everything you’re interested in and remember that
you have an awesome team of advisors here who would love to assist you in getting
things more figured out!
Name one hobby that you have...
Tubing
What is one stress buster that you use?
Journaling. Getting my thoughts out of my head onto paper gives me clarity and helps
me to see that my problems are smaller than I thought.
What do you like most about Tech?
I spent some of the best years of my life as a student here.
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Meet Our Directors
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CHRIS KOHL
Assistant Director
Programs Advised:
All students in: Agriculture, Human Ecology, College of Interdisciplinary Studies - Undecided, Undergraduate Non-Degree Seeking Students; Transient Students
Email: CKohl@tntech.edu
Phone: (931) 372-6850
Office Location: Volpe Library 180
First time using TechConnect? Click here for assistance.
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More about me...What advice would you give to a new student?
Step out of your comfort zone and try new things.
Name one hobby that you have...
Anything dealing with Walt Disney World.
What is one stress buster that you use?
Going for a walk in the fresh air.
What do you like most about Tech?
How personal everyone is.
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SIMONE MCKELVEY
Director
All students in: Civil and Environmental Engineering & College of Interdisciplinary Studies - Interest
Civil and Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering & College of Interdisciplinary
Studies - Interest Chemical Engineering
Email: SMcKelvey@tntech.edu
Phone: (931) 372-6176
Office Location: Volpe Library 180
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More about me...What advice would you give to a new student?
Ask for help when you need it.
Name one hobby that you have...
I like to bake desserts and to make soap.
What is one stress buster that you use?
Listening to audiobooks. It's a nice escape.
What do you like most about Tech?
Tech and Cookeville have been a place for new opportunities for me.
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