Academic Advising

Donnelly College's Academic Advising, as part of Student Support Services, is dedicated to helping students access and utilize the skills needed to achieve academic success. Students are required to meet with an assigned success coach/advisor to develop goals and participate in activities to teach them strategies for success. 

Donnelly College's academic advisors are available to explain the requirements of Donnelly's many programs and assist in decision-making related to the following: 

• Selecting semester courses
• Planning a program of study 
• Setting goals for future learning
• Preparing for transfer
• Finding academic support resources 
• Dropping/adding courses
• Transitioning into other programs

Academic Support

Counseling
Library
Registrar 
Tutoring

Jacob Marlay

Trenton, MO

Why did you choose to work at Donnelly?
I chose to work at Donnelly because I was looking for an opportunity to begin a career in higher education and Donnelly’s small and supportive community seemed like a work environment where I could contribute in different ways and determine my greater career goals.

What do you love most about working with students?
I love being able to support someone in reaching their goals. The students who want to succeed here have a drive and persistence that is inspiring. Being able to support students while also learning about them and their stories is just awesome.

Fun Fact:
I love all animals, especially dogs! I did professional canine (and some feline) behavior case training at multiple animal shelters. I currently have a rescue husky/lab mix named Grover who is my whole world!

Words of Wisdom:
Success is self-defined, and different for everyone. Establish your priorities, determine what your goals are, lay out a plan to achieve them, and use the support systems you have to help you get there, step by step.

Bryan Thelen

Shawnee, KS

Why did you choose to work at Donnelly?
I chose to work at Donnelly because I was attracted to an institution of higher learning that seeks to make education available to everyone. I think that education is a wonderful tool to find new opportunities and to grow. I am excited to be at a place that seeks to support students in all facets of their lives; and I am especially looking forward to working with students to achieve academic success!

What do you love most about working with students?
I love getting to know students and share in their journey. Success can look different for different people, and it is exciting to see students discover their path. I am excited to be able to be a resource for the students here at Donnelly.

Fun Fact:
I love different languages. I speak German and have been lucky enough to travel there multiple times. Learning about different cultures and communities has always fascinated me!

Words of Wisdom:
One of my favorite quotations is “pray as though everything depended on God; act as though everything depended on you.” I want to do everything I can to achieve the task at hand, but in the end I have to entrust everything to God.