Franklin Ard has served in student academic support roles in higher education for over eleven years and as a writing instructor for over fifteen years. He started his career in academic support as the manager of the University of South Alabama’s writing center and then as the director of the University’s large multi-functional tutoring center that provided both writing and subject-area tutoring. He received his doctorate in Educational Leadership from the University of South Alabama in 2018. He also holds Master of Arts degree in English and a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing.
He started a new role as Director of Academic Student Support Services at Kennesaw
State University in August 2023 and was then named Executive Director for Academic
Coaching and Support in May 2024. In this capacity, he provides leadership for academic
success initiatives aimed at enhancing student success at the University. In his free
time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three-year-old son, writing fiction
and poetry, walking in nature, and reading books of all genres.
Ellie Thomson serves as Associate Director and oversees the Academic Coaching team within Academic Coaching and Support. In this role, she leads the coaching staff in delivering personalized support to help students strengthen their academic skills, stay on track, and achieve success throughout their college experience. Before stepping into her current position, Ellie served as a Program Coordinator within Academic Coaching and Support and as an Academic Advisor within the Coles College of Business. Ellie is passionate about building programs and initiatives that teach the “hidden curriculum” of college and empower students to reach their goals.
Ellie holds a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Communication from the University of Wisconsin–La Crosse and a Master of Business Administration from Viterbo University. When she’s not supporting students at KSU, Ellie enjoys listening to true crime podcasts, exploring thrift shops for hidden gems, decorating her home, and spending time with family and friends.
Adriana Gonzalez serves as the Program Manager for Focused Learning Programs within
Academic Coaching and Support, where she leads initiatives that empower first-generation
and scholarship-based students. She oversees the Coca-Cola First-Generation Scholars,
Achieve Atlanta, and REACH Georgia programs while advancing campus-wide efforts that
foster belonging, achievement, and empowerment among first-generation students. Previously,
Adriana was a Program Coordinator for Academic Coaching and Support, where she designed
and scaled co-curricular programming for the KSU student community. Her work emphasized
student-centered design, creative outreach, and partnership-building to strengthen
engagement and promote academic and personal growth.
Before joining higher education, Adriana spent more than two decades as an educator
and leader in the Cobb County School District, serving as Department Chair of World
Languages, Advanced Placement Testing Coordinator, and Student Leadership Advisor.
She also brings experience from the telecommunications industry, specializing in project
management and process improvement. Adriana holds a B.S. in Industrial and Systems
Engineering from Florida International University, an MBA from Georgia State University,
and an Ed.S. in Leadership from Berry College. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering,
reading, traveling, and exploring new cuisines.
Tiffany is a higher education and community health professional with more than a decade of experience advancing student success, access, equity, and community well-being. She currently serves as the Program Manager for Foundation to Fly, a campus-wide peer mentoring program for first-year students, where she leads initiatives designed to strengthen students’ transition to college, sense of belonging, engagement, and persistence.
Throughout her career, Tiffany has developed and implemented student success, retention,
and engagement initiatives, with expertise in supporting first-generation, underserved,
and at-risk student populations. She has overseen student support programs, directed
summer bridge programming, and cultivated meaningful campus and community partnerships
to enhance student success. Tiffany holds a Master of Public Health from SUNY University
at Albany, reflecting her commitment to advancing health equity and supporting the
holistic well-being of individuals and communities.
Nigel Richards, a program coordinator with Academic Coaching and Support at Kennesaw
State University, is dedicated to student enrichment. He focuses on supporting students
by creating an immersive learning environment that fosters growth, resilience, and
achievement through strategic program development, coaching, and mentorship. Driven
by innovation and a deep commitment to student development, Nigel leads impactful
initiatives that equip students with the tools and resources needed to thrive, ensuring
student success remains at the core of every endeavor.
A key aspect of Nigel’s work involves mentoring students through academic, career, and personal challenges, particularly those needing guidance. His efforts are instrumental in cultivating a strong sense of community and belonging, making everyone feel connected and included. Beyond coordination, he also designs and implements large-scale student engagement events such as KSU College Hacks & Professor Connections, Finding your College Crew, and KSU Game Night, enhancing engagement and fostering long-term success through dynamic, student-centered programming.
Outside of his professional endeavors, Nigel is an avid Star Wars fan, and his office
is filled with collectibles from the franchise. His passion for Star Wars highlights
his love for storytelling and its power to inspire and connect people, a value he
brings to his work at Kennesaw State University. As a Program Coordinator, he infuses
energy, creativity, and purpose into every initiative, ensuring that students are
empowered with the guidance and support needed to reach their fullest academic and
personal potential.
Ally Payne joined the Academic Coaching and Support team in September 2024. She has
served in a previous role at Kennesaw State University as an Academic Advisor in Owl
Advising. Before working in higher education, Ally spent nine years as an elementary
and middle school teacher in Gwinnett County, Cobb County, and a bilingual school
in Sandy Springs.
Ally earned her Bachelor of Science in Middle Grades Education from Shorter University
in 2012. She is currently working on her Masters in Counselor Education at Valdosta
State University. In her free time, Ally enjoys reading, crocheting, watching reality
TV and sports, exercising, spending time with loved ones, and journaling.
Andreea Johnson is an Academic Success Coach at Kennesaw State University. She holds
a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and a Master of Arts in Interpersonal and Public
Communication. She has worked with college students in a variety of roles across higher
education, including advising and classroom teaching.
Her coaching centers on helping students figure out what’s actually going on, especially after a tough semester, and making a plan they can realistically stick to. She focuses on clarity and follow-through, creating a space where students can be honest, take responsibility for their choices, and leave with a clear next step.
In her free time, she enjoys crocheting and creative projects that help people slow
down and reflect.
Bri Palmer joined the Academic Coaching and Support team in August 2026. She brings
a passion for student success and engagement, with experience supporting learners
in both traditional and online environments. Before joining the team, Bri worked at
Georgia Tech's College of Lifetime Learning, where she developed programming and engagement
opportunities for online master's students. She also previously contributed to student-focused
initiatives at Kennesaw State University.
Bri earned her Bachelor of Science in Public Relations from the University of Florida
in 2021 while working at Walt Disney World Resort. She enjoys helping students build
strong academic habits, embrace challenges with a growth mindset, and make the most
of their college experience.
When she's not coaching, Bri can often be found reading, spending time with family
and her cats, playing board games or cozy video games, watching anime, or catching
the latest documentary.
Caleb Willson joined the Academic Coaching and Support team in February 2026 as a Student Success Coach. After spending most of his higher‑education journey at Georgia Southern University, he’s thrilled to bring his passion for student success to Kennesaw State University and support Owls across campus. Caleb’s previous roles at Georgia Southern included admissions processing, academic advising, and success coaching—experiences that shaped his student‑centered approach. Caleb earned his Bachelor of Science in Psychology in 2021 and his Master of Education in Higher Education Administration in 2023, both from Georgia Southern. He believes deeply that every student’s academic path is unique. Because success looks different for everyone, he encourages students to meet with a Success Coach to define what the next level of success means for them. Outside of work, Caleb loves spending time outdoors—fishing, hunting, and adventuring with his energetic German Shorthaired Pointer, River. He’s also an avid sports fan who enjoys college football, the NFL, any PGA Tour event, and cheering on the Atlanta Braves.
Melanie Davis has been working with Kennesaw State University since 2018. She holds
a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish with a French minor. Additionally, she obtained a Master
of Arts in Applied Linguistics & English as a Second Language from Georgia State University
and a Master in Education in Learning, Leadership, and Organization Development from
the University of Georgia. Melanie is passionate about teaching students the importance
of developing a growth mindset and building self-confidence. She wants to empower
students to believe in themselves and learn that each one of them is important and
special in their own way and has something to offer. In her free time, Melanie enjoys
exploring Atlanta, traveling domestically and internationally, playing with puppies,
watching TV, volunteering, and continually learning.
Misty Henderson joined the Success Coaching team in March 2023. She earned her Bachelor
of Science in Sociology with a concentration in Criminology from Kennesaw State University
in 2014 and is currently pursuing her Master of Social Work, expected in Spring 2027.
Mrs. Henderson has been serving students at Kennesaw State University since 2019,
previously working in Financial Aid, where she developed a strong foundation in student
support services. She specializes in conflict coaching and strengths development,
empowering students to better understand themselves and navigate challenges with confidence.
Passionate about helping students achieve their goals, she is committed to fostering
growth and success. In her free time, she enjoys reading and spending time with family
and friends.
Rachel Potts joined the Academic Coaching and Support team in April 2026. She worked
previously in higher education as a Strategic Mentor and Student Coordinator for student
athletes at Clemson University from 2017-2019. Following her time in higher education,
Rachel spent seven years in elementary, middle, and high schools as a school counselor
in Forsyth County, Fulton County, and a private school in Alpharetta.
Rachel earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from Georgia College in 2015.
Then she earned her Master of Education and Educational Specialist degrees in Counselor
Education at Clemson University in 2019. In her free time, Rachel enjoys reading,
traveling, trying out new coffee shops, watching reality TV, hiking, spending time
with family and friends, and listening to music.
