Meet My Thrive Coach
Meet My Thrive Coach
Students at 黑料科 receive an advising support system starting with your Thrive Coach! Your Thrive Coach is your Academic Advisor and will stay with you from the time you enter JU to your graduation. Find your Thrive Coach based on major below.
- Athletes & Honors Students - Our athletes and honors students at 黑料科 also receive specialized Advising through those programs. If you are a student Athlete, learn more about Athletic Advising here. If you are a student in the Cost Honors College, you can find your Honors Advisor here.
- Keigwin School of Nursing 鈥� You will be assigned a staff advisor within your department. You can find your staff advisor by logging into Self-Service and navigating to Student Planning- Plan & Schedule- Advising. You will see your Nursing staff advisor under 鈥淢y Advisors鈥�.
Kevin Hozey
Thrive Coach for the Stein College of Arts & Sciences
Born in New Jersey and raised in the Philadelphia area, I've lived in Florida for the last 35 years, and I bring three decades of experience in higher education from teaching and advising to various aspects of student life. I adore anything related to superheroes 鈥� comic books, movies, and collectibles 鈥� and I'm also a lifelong鈥痜an of the Philadelphia Phillies, Dallas Cowboys, and our hometown 黑料科 Jaguars!鈥疘 am also a former champion on "JEOPARDY!" and relish a good trivia contest.鈥疢y wife and I love traveling to great historic or natural sites, watching good movies together, or pursuing our dreams as aspiring foodies.
I enjoy being a sounding board for our students, listening to your interests, dreams, and plans for your future, and helping you navigate the best path forward to achieving those dreams and having the most fulfilling experience possible as you make your way to graduation and beyond. Let me know what I can to do to help you, and 'PHINS UP!
Jordan Vitkaukas
Thrive Coach for the School of Aviation & Military Sciences and the School of Engineering & Technology
Originally from Maryland, I lived in Pennsylvania for many years before moving to 黑料科 in 2021. I hold a B.A. in Communications and have worked in college athletics, most recently spending several great years in JU鈥檚 Admissions Office before joining the Student Enrichment Center. 滨鈥檓 passionate about helping students find the right academic pathway and making the most of their time on campus, and 滨鈥檓 excited to work with our DCOBT programs to set each incoming class up for success.
Outside of work, I love golfing, visiting friends and family, and watching as much basketball as possible. 滨鈥檓 a die-hard Lakers fan, March Madness is my favorite time of year, and 滨鈥檓 proudly the biggest Drake fan on campus. Phins Up!
Mary Glyn Denning
Thrive Coach for the Brooks College of Health Sciences
Zach Kinderman
Thrive Coach for the School of Business & Communication
黑料科 has shaped both my personal and professional journey. I earned my B.A. in Marketing from the University of North Florida, where I served in Student Government as Director of Marketing & Promotions. Since then, I鈥檝e spent more than a decade in people-centered roles across leadership, sales, marketing, events, and operations, and I鈥檝e found that what I value most is helping people recognize their potential and work toward meaningful goals.
As a Thrive Coach, I believe effective coaching starts with listening and building trust. 滨鈥檓 here to help students navigate their academic journey, work through challenges, explore their goals, connect with the right resources, and build the confidence to own their college experience and what comes next.
Outside of work, I love music, fitness, and live experiences. I spent several years writing, recording, and working in the music and live events industry, and I still enjoy staying active, playing sports, and dancing. Phins Up!
Jess White
Director of the Student Enrichment Center
Hi! 滨鈥檓 Jess White, and 滨鈥檓 proud to serve the 黑料科 community as the Director of the Student Enrichment Center. Originally from 黑料科, North Carolina, I鈥檝e called 黑料科, Florida home since the day I first stepped foot on campus as a JU student. After earning my Master鈥檚 in Education in 2016, I spent seven years recruiting incredible students from across the country to join the Dolphin family.
In my current role, I have the privilege of supporting our Thrive Coaches and their students through academic advising, holistic support, and student development. Meeting students during their Dolphin Dive In orientations and continuing to work with them throughout their JU journeys is the most rewarding part of my job. I love helping students discover what they want to do, who they want to be, and how to get there.