Coaching & Academic Success Programs

Struggling with academics or looking to enhance your study habits?  We’re here to help.

Whether you’re transitioning from high school, transferring from another college, or facing academic challenges, Suffolk University’s Center for Learning and Academic Success (CLAS) offers personalized academic coaching to help you succeed.

Our one-on-one coaching sessions focus on strengthening time management, study strategies, organization, and overall academic performance. We also support students who have adjusted to Suffolk but want continued accountability, improved study habits, and reduced stress.

Academic coaches help connect you with vital campus resources, including Disability Services, Suffolk Cares, Academic Advising, faculty, and administrators. In addition, our coaches teach First-Year Experience courses and specialized academic success seminars.

CLAS coaches are professionally trained and certified to support students in achieving their academic goals.

  • Our coaches are CTEDU Associate Certified Academic Life Coaches, a credential grounded in positive psychology and student-centered support.
  • Many have also earned or are actively pursuing their Associate Certified Coach (ACC) credential through the International Coaching Federation (ICF) - the global standard for coaching excellence and ethics.

You can trust that our coaches bring both expertise and empathy to every session. You don’t have to navigate college alone!

Meet the Academic Coaching Team

Our Academic Coaching team partners with students to develop the skills, strategies, and confidence needed to achieve academic and personal success. Each member of our team brings a unique background in education, coaching, and student development, along with specialized training in academic life coaching and supporting neurodivergent learners.

Orla Downey, Director
Education:
MA, Psychology, University College Dublin
Certifications:
ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC)
CTEDU Associate Certified Academic Life Coach
FSU, ITRS Professional Certification in the Fundamentals of Neurodivergence

Laureen Simonetti, Associate Director
Education:
MEd, Suffolk University
Certifications:
ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC)
CTEDU Associate Certified Academic Life Coach
FSU, ITRS Professional Certification in the Fundamentals of Neurodivergence

Lori Rosenberg, Assistant Director
Education:
MA, Sociology, Northeastern University
Certifications:
ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC)
CTEDU Associate Certified Academic Life Coach
FSU, ITRS Professional Certification in the Fundamentals of Neurodivergence

Paul Grabianowski, Academic Coach
Education:
MA, Literature, University of Tulsa
Certifications:
ICF Associate Certified Coach (ACC)
CTEDU Associate Certified Academic Life Coach

John Zakrosky, Academic Coach
Education:
MFA, Boston University
Certification:
CTEDU Associate Certified Academic Life Coach