Michele Oelking serves as Director of the Success Center at Tulane University, an umbrella of academic support services for college students. In 2012, she started the university's Success Coaching program to support student success in the areas of academic and personal development. The program has expanded into a center which offers an array of support services led by both professional staff and student leaders. Through her private business, Souljourn Coaching, Michele provides coaching services and program development to individuals and organizations. As a professional certified coach (PCC) with the International Coach Federation, Michele believes clients achieve success through a comprehensive, individualized approach based on exploring beliefs, interests, values, needs, and goals. In addition, she has also achieved ADHD specific coach training and is a graduate of the ADD Coach Academy. Prior to her current role, Michele coached students at various universities and colleges through a national coaching organization based in San Francisco. She earned dual Bachelors of Arts degrees in both Anthropology and Spanish from Louisiana State University in 1999 and a Master of Social Work degree from Southern University of New Orleans in 2002. In December 2012, Michele received Tulane University's Presidential Staff Excellence Award for her achievements with student success and retention. In November 2015, Michele was awarded Gambit's 40 under 40 Award: The Class of 2015: 40 New Orleanians You Need to Know. Ms. Oelking recently published an article about ICF coaching and college, “Supporting the Who: Coaching and College Student Development”. The Success Coaching program was recognized in March 2016 as an honoree for the Models of Excellence Program through University Business Magazine and in December 2016 with the President’s Team Staff Excellence Award.
