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 growth-oriented support that helps 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 empower students to reach
their goals and realize their full potential. 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. In her free time, Ellie enjoys crafting, going on walks, spending time with family and friends, and watching reality TV (her guilty pleasure!).
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.
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.
Misty Henderson joined the Academic Coaching and Support team in March 2023. She is
a Kennesaw State University alumnus with a Bachelor of Science in Sociology Degree.
Mrs. Henderson has been working with Kennesaw State University since 2019 and loves
supporting students! Her previous role in higher education was in financial aid. She
is passionate about supporting and assisting students in their goals. In her free
time, she likes to read and spend time with family and friends.
Andreea Johnson joined Academic Coaching and Support team in January 2021 as a Student Success Coach. Throughout her career in higher education, Ms. Johnson has served in a myriad of capacities in both public and private universities. She has worked with students through academic advising, new student orientation, recruitment/promotional events and educational workshop coordination and facilitation.
Ms. Johnson has also trained new staff and supplemental instruction leaders. In addition,
Ms. Johnson has served on various committees to obtain accreditation renewal and distinction
of academic excellence in various programs.
Ms. Johnson holds a Bachelor of Applied Arts in Integrative Public Relations and a Master of Arts in Interpersonal and Public Communication from Central Michigan University. She is passionate about working with students to help them develop academically and professionally. In her free time, she enjoys connecting with friends at Starbucks over an iced latte, crocheting, and attending concerts.
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
shows, exercising, spending time with loved ones, and cheering on the Atlanta Braves
and Atlanta Falcons.
Tim joined the Academic Coaching and Support team in August 2024, supporting first-generation
college students in the Coca-Cola Scholars Program and the student body. He works
with students across majors, helping them navigate their academic journey by developing
effective goal setting and study habits and preparing for internships and career opportunities
by diving into professional development.
Tim earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and his Master of Science degree
in Sports Psychology from Northern Illinois University. As a former collegiate lacrosse
and community college basketball player, Tim combines his athletic background with
thousands of hours of coaching experience to inspire and empower students to achieve
their goals. His experience mentoring incarcerated youth at a maximum-security prison
through Project FLEX as a graduate assistant reflects his dedication to empowering
others to overcome challenges and succeed.
In addition to his role at KSU, Tim brings a wealth of experience as a sports psychologist.
He has worked with athletes at all levels, from youth and collegiate players to international
C-Suite leaders and professional athletes, helping them achieve peak performance.
Over his career, he has collaborated with athletes in nine countries, including collegiate
All-Americans, national champions, and clients who have achieved significant milestones
such as World Series victories, NBA Championships, and Olympic medal wins.
Growing up in the suburbs of Chicago, Tim developed a deep appreciation for community
and collaboration, which inspired his coaching approach at KSU. Outside of KSU, Tim
enjoys spending time with friends and family, being outdoors, and traveling.
Hannah Tadenev joined the Academic Coaching and Support team in February 2025. As a Student Success Coach dedicated to enriching the freshmen experience, she meets students individually and in interest groups to build relationships and foster confidence in themselves and in their future. Additionally, Hannah supports the Foundation to Fly Program, a first-year peer mentoring initiative that empowers KSU students to develop the foundation to fly through the guidance of experienced Owls in their sophomore through senior years.
As a fifth-generation educator, Hannah joined Teach For America Miami-Dade and was nominated as Rookie Teacher of the Year. She served as the school’s English department chair and in Miami-Dade County’s Education Transformation Office as the district’s youngest instructional coach. Over the course of ten years in high school education, she taught every level of English, Creative Writing, Drama, Advanced Placement (AP) English Language, Yearbook, and worked as the AP Capstone Coordinator, teaching AP Seminar and AP Research with a 100% passage rate.
Hannah earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and English from the University of Miami and a Master of Science in Secondary Education from Johns Hopkins University, earning the Transformational Impact Distinction. She is currently working on her Doctor of Education in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Virginia and has presented her research on a framework for teacher-peer feedback systems. She feels incredibly blessed to focus on meaningful support for students at KSU and then get to come home to her three amazing children for hikes, Legos, soccer, and cookies before dinner.
Melanie Davis joined Academic Success Coaching in March 2025. She has been working with Kennesaw State University since 2018. Her two previous roles at KSU were as an Intensive English Program Instructor and, more recently, as an English Tutor with the Writing Center’s English Language Program.
Melanie 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.
