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
Director of enrollment management and student services
314-977-2334
[email protected]

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 Clark
Academic coach II
314-977-7411
[email protected]

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
[email protected]

Programs: Brewing Science, Cannabis Science and Operations, Computer Information Systems, Emergency Management and Operations and Security and Strategic Intelligence. 

Graduate/Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Academic Program Coordinators and Coaches

Elena Farel, Ph.D.
Academic program coordinator
[email protected]

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

Carmen Gruchalla
Academic program coordinator
[email protected]

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

Katie Maclean
Academic program coordinator
[email protected]

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

Sharon Spicer
Academic coach, senior
314-977-3324
[email protected] 

Programs: Online Graduate Degrees and Certificates

Student Financial Engagement Team

Shayla Johnson
Student financial engagement coordinator
314-977-5141
[email protected]

Student Engagement Specialists

Debra Blanquart
Academic records specialist, senior
314-977-3347
[email protected]

Eric Miller
Admissions specialist, senior
314-977-7812
[email protected]

Career Counselor

Yang (Emily) Li, Ph.D.
Career counselor
[email protected]