Bradley Brooks, Success Coach, Loudoun Campus

Bradley Brooks (He/Him/His) is the Success Coach for NOVA’s Loudoun campus and is a true advocate of the student experience. Born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Bradley was first in his family to graduate from high school and go to college where he received his bachelor’s degree in Human Relations at the University of Oklahoma. Bradley felt largely underserved as a low-income first-generation student in higher education. This experience sparked his passion to pursue education as a career to create transformative environments for all students to achieve their wildest dreams and aspirations. As a McNair Scholar, Bradley received his master’s degree in Postsecondary Administration and Student Affairs from University of Southern California. Bradley has a varied background in higher education working in and outside of the classroom and previously worked at NOVA Alexandria in the Office of Student Life prior to this role.

“I love working with ADVANCE students because each student has a unique story and life experiences full of courage, creativity, and resilience. I enjoy helping our Nighthawk Patriots connect to their passions and personal well-being, develop a strong sense of self, and how to make the world a better place.”

Sabrey Garling, Success Coach, Alexandria
 and Medical Education Campuses

Sabrey Garling is the Success
 Coach for NOVA’s Alexandria and Medical Education campuses. After graduating 
from NOVA Loudoun in 2013, Sabrey transferred to the University of Virginia and 
earned her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in English. Afterwards, Sabrey served as a 
College Adviser with the Virginia College Advising Corps, helping
 underrepresented, first-generation, and low-income high school students achieve 
their post-secondary aspirations. Sabrey earned her Master of Education in 
College Student Personnel Administration from James Madison University in 2019.

“As a former NOVA student, I personally understand the trials that may
 arise when attempting to transfer to a four-year institution. I did not have a 
lot of guidance during my transfer process and, as a result, I wanted to ensure
 that other students would have a mentor to help them through such trials in the 
future. It’s exciting to be able to use a holistic perspective in order to gain
 a comprehensive look into a student’s goals and experiences. From there, I can 
help address their academic, professional, and personal needs in an effort to 
foster their growth and success.”

Sharon Kim, Success Coach, Annandale Campus

Sharon Kim is the Success Coach
 for NOVA’s Annandale Campus. After graduating from NOVA, Sharon transferred to
 George Mason University and earned her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology.  She earned her Master of Education in Educational
 Psychology from George Mason University and completed additional graduate work 
in Community Agency Counseling at George Mason University as well.  Prior to working as a Success Coach, Sharon
 worked as a Lead Advisor at George Mason University Korea.  Also, Sharon worked as an advisor at Northern
Virginia Community College.  Sharon also
taught student development courses and ESL courses at Northern Virginia
 Community College.

“As a former NOVA student and a 
transfer student at GMU, I realized how important it is to make positive connections
 with someone who can guide you through this process.  Additionally, I am excited about my role as a
 Success Coach in a way that I can build long-term relationships with students,
 have a part in affecting the life of students by providing holistic support,
and help them build resilience throughout their academic journey.”

Destiny Spencer, Success Coach, Manassas and Woodbridge Campuses

Destiny is the Success Coach on the NOVA Manassas and Woodbridge campuses. She is an alumna of George Mason University who has received a B.A. in Communication and M.A. in Higher Education. Previously she has worked with Mason’s co-curricular program the Patriot Experience as a graduate assistant. She also has worked in Mason’s Alumni Relations Office as the Young Alumni and Student Programs Assistant. Destiny has a passion for helping students reach their highest potential and succeed in and out of the classroom.

“When I graduated from high school in 2012 and started my career at Mason my mind was working a thousand miles per hour with questions. Through my experience at Mason, I was able to get a lot of those questions answered with the help of my advisors and mentors. I am excited to be able to be a support system for ADVANCE students on their journey and be a person that they can depend on.”

Rita Snyder Furr, Coordinator of Student Success for ADVANCE

Rita Snyder Furr is the Coordinator of Student Success for ADVANCE, facilitating the daily operations of the ADVANCE program and supporting the Success Coaching Team in their transformative work with students. Prior to becoming Coordinator, Rita served as the first ADVANCE Success Coach. Overall, Rita has spent seven years advising transfer students across the Virginia Community College System (VCCS), previously serving as a Student Services Advisor at Lord Fairfax Community College, Success Coach for NOVA Online, and as a Transfer Advisor at NOVA Loudoun. In addition, Rita managed one-stop student services and advising for online degree offerings in the College of Business at Oregon State University and coordinated its international exchange programming. Rita holds a B.A. in Women’s Studies from West Virginia University and an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Louisiana State University. Rita also holds a Graduate Certificate in Counselor Education with emphasis in College Counseling and Student Development from North Carolina State University.

“Raised by educators, it was always impressed upon me that “education is the down payment on the rest of one’s life.” Consequently, I was encouraged to live a life in public service towards helping individuals actualize the transformative power of education. Transitioning into student affairs, I became enthralled with helping students through their entire educational journey. I wanted to cultivate sustained connections with students, supporting their achievement of personal and professional goals through holistic student development approaches. ADVANCE has been the purest manifestation of this goal: to help students from diverse and often marginalized backgrounds not only build their college-going capital and earn a credential, but to do so in an affordable and streamlined manner with holistic student development at the core of its mission.”