Meet Our Staff

Mission

The Holman Success Center provides services to all students—those at risk, on academic probation, and currently well-performing—that support the development of skills they need to achieve academic success. Our services are innovative and utilize technology in unique and effective ways. We enhance students’ academic and personal development and assist them in creating opportunities for growth. Our mission includes the understanding and use of coordinated referrals to campus offices and resources to ensure that no student ever feels dismissed or abandoned by our staff. At Holman Success Center, we are committed to providing services to support student transitions through graduation and delivering excellence in everything we do.

Vision

Services that support students’ development of skills to achieve academic success

Philosophy on Diversity

At the Holman Success Center, we value the diverse experiences of our staff and students. Our goal is to empower disenfranchised populations and to provide a community for the unsupported, education to the marginalized, and opportunities to the silenced. We are committed to providing a compassionate student-focused office that places emphasis on building self-confidence, awareness, and education around the ideas of diversity, inclusion, and equity. The hope is that those who enter our doors will be propelled to become change agents in our society.

 

Meet Our Staff


Holli Black, MSA

Associate Director, Holman Success Center - Student
Supplemental Instruction, Tutoring, Success Coaching,
KNACK, Mentor Collective, KCP 4S grant

[email protected]
Need an appointment?

Holli has earned a BS in Education and a MSA (Master’s of Science in Administration) focused on leadership from Central Michigan University. She is currently pursuing an Ed.D in Educational Leadership. Prior to transitioning to EMU, Holli worked at CMU serving 4S and GEAR UP scholars as coordinator, academic advisor, and director over an 8-year period.

At Holman Success Center she looks forward to working with hundreds of EMU scholars as they embark on their academic journey. As a first-generation college student, Holli is passionate about supporting students as they strive to the finish line! Along with work and school, her time is spent ensuring her daughter has what she needs to grow, thrive and show up as her best self. Her door is always open!

In her free time, she enjoys karaoke, dancing and spending time with family and friends. 


Tracey Sonntag, M.A.

Associate Director, Holman Success Center - Data
Data Collection and Assessment, Success Coaching, Peer Academic Coaches, Eagle Rewards, Chromebook Loan Program, EMU Engage app, Starfish, KCP 4S grant

[email protected]

Tracey has earned a BS in professional writing with a minor in business, an MA in written communication: teaching of writing and a graduate certificate in higher education: academic advising; all from Eastern Michigan University. 

At Holman Success Center she has the opportunity to interact with hundreds of first-year and at-risk students. As a first-generation student herself, she is fulfilled by those small moments of celebration when she can assist a student in their path to degree completion.

When not knee-deep in data and spreadsheets, she plays a lot of board games, video games, and table-top RPGs with her partner, kids, grandson, and cats. The cats are not very good at it.


Kimberly Jones M.A.

UNIV Instructor and Success Coach
Edge Program, Social Media and Promotion

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Kimberly Jones has earned her master's in educational leadership: higher education student affairs (HESA), a graduate certificate in higher education: academic advising, a bachelor's degree in psychology, and a bachelor's in literature; all from Eastern Michigan University. Kim has spent over 10 years working with the EMU Alumni Association and has spent the past two years as the Eastern Michigan University Black Alumni Association (EMUBA) president.

Kim is dedicated to helping students achieve their academic and professional goals in life while maintaining a fun and engaged work-life balance. In her spare time, Kim is a devoted mother to her children and works on the board of her high school alumni association.


Scott Kardel, MSW

Success Coach


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Scott Kardel earned his master's degree in Social Work here at EMU in April of 2022 as well as his bachelor's degree in social work from EMU back in 2017. Scott spent two years as a success coach while completing his master's degree and now has returned as a full time success coach here at the Holman Success Center.


Scott is passionate about student success and is dedicated to helping students achieve their goals academically and professionally while also making the most of their college experience personally. In his free time, Scott loves to explore, travel, and spend time with friends and family. If you are new to the area, ask Scott for his coffee picks!