Getting to Know Germanna's Student Success Coaches: Kathleen Rockis, Locust Grove

 In an effort to help students from enrollment to graduation Germanna Community College has launched a new Student Success Coach Program. The coaches will stay with students all the way through their time at Germanna, giving them the help they need to succeed in college and in life.

We'll meet each of the coaches in a series of Q&A profiles--first, Kathleen Rockis, who works with students at the Locust Grove Campus.

Kathleen Rockis, Student Success Coach

Where are you from?

Kathleen Rockis

I've lived all over the U.S. and world growing up in a military family however, I claim Louisiana as my home and where I grew up. Now I live in the Massaponax area of Spotsylvania County.

Where'd you go to high school and college? 

I attended Massaponax High School,  home of the Panthers, then came to good ol' Germanna to get my associates, transferred to get my bachelor's from the University of Mary Washington (Go Eagles!) in psychology. Now I am in the process of working on my master's to be a licensed professional counselor.

 How long have you worked at Germanna? 

In total, about 5 months.

 What do you like about working at Germanna? About being a Student Success Coach?

I like working with the students here, hearing their stories, working with them on formulating goals. The best part about being a success coach is sharing in those victories with a student, and finally seeing all the work pay off in the form of being accepted into the nursing program, passing a test, receiving that 4 year school acceptance letter or earning that degree. It’s wonderful!

 What’s the biggest challenge you face in your job? 

Finding the time to eat lunch.

 What’s your advice to Germanna students?

 Experiment with all sorts of different classes and utilize every opportunity that is available. Do not be so focused on one broad idea that you close yourself off to many great opportunities that are at your fingertips. This is a time to truly enjoy the process, ask questions (even if you think they are goofy), and discover as many new possibilities. 

 To students graduating from high school and thinking about college? 

Ask questions and be active in your education. Whether that means visiting your advisor to check to make sure you are on track with your degree, or being active in sports and student government. Get active! Be in the present while knowing where you want to go.

  To older students thinking about returning to college? 

No time is better than right now! What is that saying, “age is nothing but a number, baby”. You have gained valuable insights into the world, them! Those insights can bring great perspective to a class.

 What misconception does the public have about community college?

No matter the colleges or universities you attend- Harvard, UVA, UCLA, JMU, UMW or Germanna- it is all in what you make it. So while you are here make it great! Get active in the school, take classes that are interesting to you. In those classes you will meet people with common interests. Join student groups and clubs. College is all what YOU make it.

 What's your favorite color? 

Aqua! Color of the ocean.  

  Fun fact about you?

 I coach Baton twirling and finally “retired” last year from the sport as an advanced twirler while representing UMW in competition.

 What’s your favorite book? 

Almost too many to name… "The Historian," hands down amazing!

  Your favorite movie? 

It's a toss-up between "Indiana Jones: Raiders of the Lost Ark" and the original "Blues Brothers" movie.

  Your favorite TV show?

 This is totally nerdy but I am obsessed with anything on The History Channel.

 Your favorite sport and team? 

Favorite sport baseball, and my team is the one and only Chicago Cubs… Just one before I die!