Katrina Hamilton, Miko Clendenin and Hannah Carmona join the Student Success team with positive energy and eagerness to help.
The Lighthouse, a hub of resources located within Clarke Hall, has three new faces this semester. The space welcomes students looking for support and guidance in the form of tutoring and academic advising. Each of them brings different experiences and skills, but they all share the same goal of helping students succeed. One of the new faces at the Lighthouse is Katrina Hamilton, who has taken on the role of student success coordinator.
Katrina Hamilton is a student success coordinator.
Photo: Laila Jones | Marlin Chronicle
“I love working with college students and supporting them in their education. That’s what drew me to this position. I get to work with faculty, staff and students all at once,” Hamilton said.
Hamilton oversees more than 30 tutors, both professional and peer, covering subjects like math, science, English and major-specific specialties. She also manages the university’s academic alerts system, working with professors and advisors to make sure students are connected to the help they need. On top of that, she handles the transition to a new centralized book ordering process for the campus.
Hamilton moved here from California in Dec. 2023 with her husband, a Navy chaplain, and their 13-year-old daughter. She has a wide background in education, having taught everything from preschool to higher education. Her experience also includes educational publishing, advising at a community college, long-term subbing for high school social studies and supervising teachers at UCLA.
Even though people often assume she’s outgoing, Hamilton describes herself as a “functioning introvert.” She enjoys quiet activities like early morning walks on the beach, but has always been passionate about working with students. Looking ahead, she hopes to raise awareness about the Lighthouse so more students and professors take advantage of its resources.
VWU alumna Hannah Carmona ‘23 has also joined in the position of student success administrative assistant. She graduated with degrees in communication and theatre and decided to come back to campus.
Hannah Carmona is a student success administrative assistant.
Photo: Laila Jones | Marlin Chronicle
“I wanted to come back to VWU to give back. I had such an amazing experience here as a student, and now I want to help current and future students have that same experience,” Carmona said.
Carmona splits her time between the Learning Center and the Lighthouse, supporting students, faculty and staff within the student success department.
“My goal is to support the VWU community as much as I can. That means helping students access resources, encouraging their growth and making sure they feel comfortable coming here for support,” Carmona said.
Because she’s been in students’ shoes before, she knows the challenges and opportunities that come with being a Marlin and she’s excited to help others through the ups and downs of college life.
The third new member of the team is Mitsuko “Miko” Clendenin, who has stepped into her role as a student success coach with a clear vision.
Miko Clendenin is a student success coordinator.
Photo: Laila Jones | Marlin Chronicle
“I want to help grow our coaching strategies so we can better understand the needs of our students. It’s about guiding them in all aspects of their college experience, not just academics,” Clendenin said.
Before coming to VWU, Clendenin worked at Bank of America and the City of Norfolk, focusing on adult learning, leadership and organizational development. She said it was her volunteer work with nonprofits that pushed her to earn a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services from Old Dominion University. As a longtime Hampton Roads resident, she knew of VWU and said she felt drawn to its supportive, close-knit campus culture.
“I wanted to be part of a team that really values students. This felt like the right place to do that,” Clendenin said.
As a student success coach, Clendenin works with first-year students as they transition into college life. She helps them plan coursework, set goals, find resources and figure out strategies to handle challenges. She said the new “coach” title is more than just a name change from the old “academic advisor” label; it reflects how VWU is focused on supporting the whole student, not just their class schedule.
By: Emery Garza
eigarza@vwu.edu
