Thillen Foundation expands into college coaching

Program Coordinator Liz Deakin with 2025 Greene County High School graduates (left to right) Chakira Brown, Jada Stonum, and Kevin Wynn, who will be among the first participants in the Thillen Education Foundation’s new College Coaching Program.

The Thillen Education Foundation (TEF), celebrated for transforming the high school experience through its high school career coaching initiative, is expanding its mission.

Beginning this fall, TEF is launching its College Coaching Program (CCP) designed to support Greene County High School (GCHS) graduates as they pursue degrees at 2- and 4-year colleges.

“This program is about walking alongside our students, not just sending them off,” said Liz Deakin, program coordinator. “Our expectation is that through the CCP every GCHS graduate will feel supported — academically, emotionally, and professionally — throughout their college journey.”

Each student in the program will be paired with a trained adult who will provide individualized support throughout their college experience, particularly through the critical freshman year. The goal is to maximize academic success, build life skills, and prepare students for fulfilling careers.

Key components of the program include:

• Monthly check-ins via text, phone/Zoom, or email

• Quarterly virtual or in-person meetings

• Support with time management, study strategies, and accessing campus resources

• Guidance on finances, career readiness, and personal development

• Optional academic progress sharing to help track growth and set goals

Coaches are asked to commit to a minimum of one year with the option to stay connected through graduation. Each coach can support up to three students. For the 2025-26 academic year, approximately 40 GCHS graduates are enrolled.

The program also includes a growing network of successful college alumni who serve as peer mentors. A future workshop initiative is expected to complement the core CCP relationship covering essential life skills such as financial literacy, communication, and career readiness.

“The CCP is a natural progression of the TEF mission,” said Dave Thillen, TEF founder. “We’ve focused on helping students graduate high school and become productive citizens. With the CCP we are now expanding that support into college — where it is often needed most.”

Now entering its eighth year, TEF’s high school coaching program over the past four years has helped double the number of GCHS students graduating and enrolling in college.

Want to make a difference?

If you are passionate about [education] and would like to help a deserving college student succeed, please consider becoming a CCP college coach. The time investment is minimal… but the impact can be life changing. Contact Liz Deakin at LizDeakin@gmail.com to learn more.

This article originally appeared on Lake Oconee News.

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