The Student Success Centre has started the New Year with a new face working behind the scenes to help Fanshawe students succeed on more than just an academic level.

Robert Kitchen, who has taught at the high school level, as well as worked for Nova Scotia Community College and as the dean of students at St. Francis University, is hoping that his broad range of experience will help to impact students.

“My role is managerial - advisory of the staff who works here, “ said Kitchen. “The intention is to give a little more structure and to coordinate on a more global level the student success at Fanshawe College.”

But Kitchen is also a firm believer that you can have all the help at your finger tips and not succeed if you're still not willing to try.

“Student success certainly starts with students,” he explained. “If the students' aren't motivated, if they're not dedicated to the program, regardless of what student success efforts are in place it will become very challenging for them to move forward and achieve their goals.”

“The goal is to make improvements, so if there are people who have great ideas we'll be happy to entertain them,” Kitchen continued. “If student's do have issues, I'd encourage them to get in touch with me because it's great for me to think of ideas, but if they don't really resonate with the students then they're not going to be effective.”

The Student Success Centre is located in F-2010.