Academic Success Center at Niagara University

05/29/2026

Sierra is one of our tutors!

Research that reaches beyond our world! 🌎🚀🔬

Niagara University students and faculty recently shared their work at the Astrobiology Science Conference (AbSciCon), held May 17-22 in Madison, Wisconsin.

Recent graduate Caitlin Garrell and rising senior Sierra Ashbaugh presented research connected to Dr. Cassandra Marnocha's NASA-funded project, while Dr. Marnocha also shared her research and experiences with the international scientific community.

“Presenting my undergraduate research at AbSciCon was an incredibly rewarding experience,” said Garrell. “The conference gave me valuable insight into the collaborative nature of the field and the kinds of research I hope to pursue in graduate school and beyond.”

Learn more at: https://news.niagara.edu/niagara-university-students-present-at-the-astrobiology-science-conference/

05/22/2026

Last but not least we have our GA, Gianna Conti!
Hometown: Niagara Falls
Master’s Program: School Psychology
What they’ll miss most about working in the ASC: Seeing all of the students I got to know so well!
Plans after graduation: I hope to work in an elementary school as a school psychologist!
What Kelly Engert and Sarah Mecca, Coordinator and Advisor of Accessibility Services, say: “Gianna has been such a wonderful, hard working and dedicated grad assistant. Her positive attitude, attention to detail, calm demeanor and kindness have been a wonderful addition to our office. Our students and staff have been so lucky to work with her! Gianna, we will miss you and wish you all the best. Good luck with your school psych internship! We know you will be an amazing school psychologist!” Thank you, Gianna!

05/21/2026

We have another camera shy spotlight today, Matthew Kehrer!
Hometown: Ellicottville, NY
Major: Criminal Justice
Courses tutored: HIS110, REL101, CRJ101 MAT102
What they’ll miss most about tutoring: I will miss helping students achieve their goals.
Plans after graduation: Military service in US Army
What Matt’s students say: “he broke things down in a different way which really helped”. Thank you, Matt!

05/20/2026

This is basically what Tristan Taillefer looks like!
Hometown: Ottawa, Ontario
Major: MBA - Finance
Courses tutored: Microeconomics, philosophy, French
What they are going to miss most about tutoring: I liked being able to teach some students on subjects I find interesting. The ASC is a great work environment with amazing people!
Plans after graduation: I plan on working in the Buffalo area
What Tristan’s students say: “He broke down the material in a way I learned best”. Thank you, Tristan!

05/19/2026

Today we’re celebrating one of our student aides, Lexi Herman!
Hometown: Pittsford, NY
Major: Nursing
What they’ll miss most about working in the Academic Success Center: I will miss working with such amazing and supportive people in the ASC!
Plans after graduation: I plan to work as an RN on a Cardio- thoracic unit at Strong Memorial Hospital!
What Diane Stoelting, Director of the ASC, says about Lexi: “From day one, Lexi has been a standout, bringing genuine heart to work every week! Whether she was mentoring new aides, uplifting her peers on challenging days, or designing creative bulletin boards to foster a sense of belonging, Lexi consistently has made our department a more inviting environment for everyone. We are so grateful for your contributions to the ASC and we are confident you will make a profound difference in the lives of your future patients. Congratulations and best wishes!” Thank you, Lexi!

05/18/2026

Today we have Ena Das!
Hometown: Kolkata, India
Major: Criminology and Criminal Justice on a Pre Law Track
Courses tutored: MAT 102, CRJ 102, REL 101, SOC 101
What they are going to miss most about tutoring: “I’ll miss that shift from “I don’t get this at all” to “wait, I actually understand””
Plans after graduation: Going to Graduate School for Criminal Justice Administration
What Ena’s students say: “She organized formulas for me and helped navigate the calculator for this class”. Thank you, Ena!

05/15/2026

Today’s spotlight is Writing Center tutor Isaac Hohl!
Hometown: Kennesaw, GA
Major: Theatre Performance. Dance minor
What they are going to miss most about tutoring: Being able to be a resource to students at NU.
Plans after graduation: Moving to NYC to pursue a performance career.
What Jason Pratt, Reading and Writing Coordinator, says about Isaac: “Isaac’s genuine passion for helping his peers evolve as writers is what makes him stand out. He doesn’t just fix papers; he inspires better writing. We wish him all the best in his next chapter!” Thank you, Isaac!

05/14/2026

Today’s Senior Spotlight is Bella Kelley!
Hometown: Clarence, NY
Major: Secondary Mathematics Education
Minor: American Sign Language and Deaf Studies
Courses Tutored: ASL 100, ASL 200, ASL 202
What I will miss most: I will miss being able to see all of my tutees’ amazing growth over the course of one semester.
Plans after graduation: I plan on hopefully getting a job as a math teacher at a middle or high school in the area.
What Bella’s students say: “She gave me tips and different ways to remember the words.” Thank you, Bella!

05/13/2026

Today’s spotlight is Elise Spence!
Hometown: Pefferlaw, ON
Major: Biochemistry
Courses tutored: General Chemistry I & II and General Physics I & II
What they are going to miss most about tutoring: I’m going to miss being able to work with my fellow students and seeing their progression in their confidence with the material over time.
Plans after graduation: Chemistry teacher at Uncommon School Preparatory High School in Brooklyn, NY
What Elise’s students say: “Elise was extremely knowledgeable, helpful, and gave me much more confidence in my abilities”. Thank you, Elise!

05/12/2026

Today we have Writing Center tutor Jillian Pierce!
Hometown: Niagara Falls, NY.
Major: Social Studies Education (grades 5-12).
What they are going to miss most about tutoring: I will miss getting to work with amazing NU students and seeing them succeed on assignments after appointments together!
Plans after graduation: I am going straight into the Master’s Program at NU for TESOL.
What Jason Pratt, Reading and Writing Coordinator, says about Jillian: “From in-person sessions to those late-night Zoom appointments, Jillian’s flexibility is unmatched. She’s a talented tutor who made herself available whenever her peers needed her most. It’s no wonder she’s one of our most popular tutors. She’s going to be an incredible teacher!” Thank you, Jillian!