back

a female presenting individual with long black hair and brown eyes is smiling into the camera standing in front of a bookshelf. She is wearing a black blouse and white cardigan.

Ripa Ghosh

Student Success Coach

  • Student Success Coaching

ssc@du.edu

Professional Biography

Graduate Program: International Development, MA
 
Student Success Coaching Philosophy Statement
I believe the purpose of coaching is to help students recognize their strengths, clarify their goals, and build the confidence to face challenges independently. Coaching matters because higher education can feel overwhelming. Having someone who listens without judgment can make a real difference. When I coach students, I aspire to create a supportive and inclusive space where they feel heard, respected, and empowered to take ownership of their growth.
As an international and a first-generation student, I am always mindful that each student brings unique experiences, identities, and pressures into academic spaces. I aim to bring empathy, accountability, and practical skill-building in my sessions. The thing I value most about working with students is seeing them realize they are more capable than they thought. 
 
Biography
I am a master's student in International Development program at the DU and also a Sié Fellow at the Sié Centre. I hold a B.A. in Economics with minors in Development Studies and Finance. Before beginning my graduate studies, I worked as a faculty member and mentor, teaching courses focused on academic skills, communication, and student development. I also worked with a non-profit organization named the Mai Soli Foundation in Bangladesh. It works to prevent child marriage and promote girls’ education and empowerment. Currently, I am working on different research projects with data documentation and data collection.
 
My academic and professional interests revolve around gender equity, inclusive development, and creating supportive learning environments where students feel confident, capable, and empowered to achieve their goals.
 
Outside of work and school, I enjoy exploring cozy cafés, travelling, attending cultural events, photography, and spending time in nature. I also love mentoring young women, having deep conversations about growth and purpose, and occasionally creating fun content for social media.
 
Fun fact: I’ve lived in different countries, but somehow I still Google basic things like “how cold is too cold for this jacket?”