Academic Coaching

Working with youth and young adults has been one of the best endeavors of my life. I continue to learn so much from those I teach.

As an educator, I taught at Sturgis High School in Sturgis, MI, for forty-one years. I also coached football, basketball, and track at the middle school and high school levels. I received a master's degree in Learning Disabilities from Michigan State University. I have an added twenty-one credits in education since receiving that degree.

It has been a pleasure to work at Trine University as an academic coach since the fall of 2019.

I earned a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University. Early in my career, I worked in many sectors of business and hospitality. After the birth of my two daughters, I had the desire to become a teacher. I went back to study at IPFW in Fort Wayne and completed a teaching license in English, Language Arts, Masters level ENL, and then taught at several high schools and middle schools before retiring in 2018. I again found meaningful work as an Academic Coach at Trine University over the past 4 years. Helping students to achieve academic success is my abiding purpose.

In addition, I am passionate about improving and preserving our natural environment and consider this to be the most essential human focus for our time.

Originally from Union City, Michigan, I earned my Bachelor of Arts in Secondary Education from Eastern Michigan University in 1990, majoring in Social Sciences and minoring in English Language and Literature. I later pursued my Master of Arts in Teaching in the Middle School from Western Michigan University.

For 26 years, I taught World History and Economics at Quincy High School, where I also coached boys and girls varsity basketball, softball, and golf. After retiring from teaching in 2021, I transitioned to my current role as an Academic Coach at Trine University.

I reside in Coldwater, Michigan, with my wife Carrie, and together we are proud parents of two children.

My name is Laurie Whitehead, and I have been in the field of education for over 30 years.  I am passionate about shaping minds and building futures.  I believe in inspiring excellence one student at a time.  

One of my favorite quotes that I always try to keep at the forefront of my mind is, “Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.” (Malcolm X)

When I am not at work, I enjoy date nights with my husband, spending time with our five children and seven grandchildren, gardening and reading.

Higher Education has been my dream since I attended college at Huntington University.  I went on to Ball State University to earn a masters degree in Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education.  I worked in higher education before I married and have been involved in our local school systems while raising our children.  Now that I have been back in higher education for the last five years I have a passion for working with students at Trine University to help them achieve their lifelong goals and dreams.

My husband and I have been married for 29 years and we have four sons (Trayton, Trevyn, twins Jayden and Jacksyn).  If not on campus you can find me spending time with my sons, daughter-in-laws and a new grandbaby.  I also love spending time walking with my dogs and spending my summers in South Haven, Michigan.

My favorite subjects and areas of expertise include biomechanics, research methods, and tests and measurements. My research was centered on muscle activation and electromyography.  I was fortunate enough to collaborate with mechanical engineers on motion capture research. I love teaching.

I am a former Chair of Kinesiology and Director of Exercise Science at Valparaiso University. I enjoyed serving on the curriculum committee at Valparaiso University for many years.

I coached collegiate volleyball for over 20 years. My former collegiate career at BYU included volleyball team, track and field team, and competitive badminton team. I am currently a national level USATF official of 24 years.

I am married to Steve Helm, Assistant Professor in Ketner School of business. We have three children.

I started as an academic coach at Trine University in 2022 and enjoy assisting and getting to know the students I am entrusted with.