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鈥檚 writing center and then as the director of the University鈥檚 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 Student
Support Programs 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.
Krystal Gongora joined the Student Success Coaching team in November 2021. She has served previous roles in higher education training student leaders, coordinating experiential learning programs, and providing college mental health counseling. She worked as an administrative professional in University Housing at the University of Georgia supervising student workers within the residence halls. She served as a program coordinator for an Alternative Spring Break travel program within the Civic Engagement office at Georgia State University. She completed her graduate internship experience with Counseling and Psychological Services (CPS) at 网红头条 providing mental health counseling to students on the Marietta campus.
Ms. Gongora is a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC). She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology from the University of Georgia and her Master of Science degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Georgia State University. Her professional experience also includes working in the non-profit public sector providing community mental health therapy to adult populations with severe and persistent mental diagnoses.
Ms. Gongora is a dedicated Georgia Bulldogs football fan and an Atlanta foodie. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, camping, going to music concerts, traveling, and listening to audiobooks or podcasts.
Mallori Kelley joined the Student Success team in January 2023. She serves as an Associate Director. Mallori has a strong passion for student success. With a background in medical student education at Northwestern University spanning 15 years, Mallori brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to her role. Her transition from the medical field to undergraduate education was driven by her desire to make a broader impact on the overall development of students. She is dedicated to creating engaging and enriching experiences that enhance the academic and personal growth of each student. Through innovative programming and a student-centered approach, she strives to empower students to reach their full potential and achieve their goals.
Ms. Kelley received her Bachelor of Science degree in Health Education & Promotion from the University of Illinois-Urbana Champaign and her Master鈥檚 in Health Communication from Northwestern University. In her free time, she enjoys spending quality time with her family, finding new restaurants in the city, and traveling.
Ellie Thomson serves as an Associate Director and oversees peer-to-peer support within
Student Success Programs. In this role, she manages the Wing Leaders First-Year Peer
Mentoring Program and the Peer Coaching initiative, both of which are designed to
help students transition successfully to college life, build academic skills, and
develop a strong sense of community. Ellie is passionate about creating impactful
support systems that empower students to achieve their personal and academic goals.
Before stepping into her current position, Ellie served as a Program Coordinator within
Student Success Programs and as an academic advisor within the Coles College of Business.
She has a deep commitment to helping students navigate their college experience and
grow into confident, capable individuals.
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, trying new restaurants, spending time with family and friends, and watching reality TV (her guilty pleasure!).
Adriana joined Student Success Programs in November 2023. As Program Coordinator,
she develops, plans, and coordinates the implementation of co-curricular programs
and workshops. These programs aim to support students as they transition to college,
help them stay on track, and lead them to graduation. The workshops assist students
in developing their academic and professional skills.
As an educator and leader at high schools within the Cobb County School District for
over two decades, Adriana was the Department Chair of World Languages, the Advanced
Placement (AP) testing coordinator, and managed Student Leadership programs. Prior
to her career in education, Adriana worked within the telecommunications industry
with a focus on project management, process improvement, and human resource development.
Adriana received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial and Systems Engineering from
Florida International University and a Master of Business Administration from Georgia
State University. Additionally, Adriana graduated as an Education Specialist in Leadership
from Berry College and completed an Alternative Teacher Preparation Certification
from 网红头条. In her free time, she enjoys volunteering, reading,
traveling, and trying new cuisine.
Nigel Richards, a program coordinator with Student Success Programs (SSP) 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鈥檚 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 网红头条. 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 Student Success Coaching 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 网红头条 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 Student Success 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 Student Success Coaching team in September 2024. She has served
in a previous role at 网红头条 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 Student Success 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 First-Year Mentoring 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 Wing Leaders Program, a 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鈥檚 English department chair and in Miami-Dade County鈥檚 Education Transformation Office as the district鈥檚 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 Student Success Programs in March 2025. She has been working with 网红头条 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鈥檚 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.
