Hello and welcome to Cougar Nation!

My name is Dr. Kelly Atkins, and I serve as the Director of Academic Success at SIUE. My team and I are excited that you have chosen SIUE, and we are honored to be part of your college journey. We understand that college can be both exciting and challenging, and we are here to support you every step of the way.

No student should ever feel alone on their academic journey. Life can present unexpected challenges that may disrupt even the best-laid plans, but please know there is a dedicated team at SIUE ready to support you during difficult moments and celebrate you during times of accomplishment. Our role is to walk alongside you—championing your successes while providing guidance and care through adversity.

Everything we do is grounded in a culture of care. Your well-being, growth, and goals matter to us, and we are committed to your success both in and outside of the classroom. Student success doesn’t stop at academics—it includes personal development, resilience, and feeling connected to your campus community.

We encourage you to take full advantage of all that SIUE has to offer and to reach out to us whenever you need support. Know that we may also reach out to you, because serving and supporting our students is at the heart of our work.

Your path to graduation begins today.

You can connect with us by stopping by our offices in SSC 1220 or by emailing us at summersuccess@siue.edu.

Again, welcome to SIUE, where every day is a great day to be a cougar!