EDUCATION SUCCESS SERVICES (ESS) is a privately-owned company that provides individual and group-based coaching, mentoring, and advocacy in higher education—beginning with college readiness and the initial application process, and continuing through to graduation. ESS was founded by Executive Director, Celesti Colds Fechter, Ph.D., who has more than a decade of experience in university-level teach
ing and administration. Dr. Colds Fechter has held a number of university appointments, including Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs, Associate Dean for Academic Services, and Associate Professor of Psychology. As an insider in academe, Dr. Colds Fechter is keenly aware of that—despite increased retention efforts on the part of universities—slightly fewer than four out of ten of all students in four-year degree programs actually graduate in four years and, even with two added years, fewer than six out of ten of all students in four-year programs achieve graduation. And, she has seen first-hand that, all too often, even those who do graduate in six years have not taken full advantage of available enrichment and opportunities that help to make them more attractive to graduate schools and potential employers.
