Meet the Staff

Connecting with the Titan Success Center

Erin Brown, M.Ed.

Director

Erin is a Houston native who’s lived in South Bend since 2007. As a 2012 and 2019 graduate from IU South Bend's School of Education, Erin is a proud Titan and Nationally Certified Counselor.

She has worked at the Titan Success Center since the office opened in 2015, and previously worked as an English teacher in South Bend middle and high schools and for TRiO’s Summer Academy–she finds teenagers hilarious.

In her free time, Erin is a homebody who revels in reading horror and thriller novels, creating silly cross-stitches, and hanging out with family. She loves to travel to new cities to explore and people-watch.

Serving as an Academic Success Coach allows Erin to use her counseling skills and continue her mission to help students succeed and reach their academic goals.

Cush Cuthbertson, BS | Student Support Specialist, 21st Century Scholars Coach

Originally from the U.S. Virgin Islands, Cush has called Indiana her second home since 2021. After earning her bachelor’s degree in psychology at Texas Woman’s University, she realized she wanted to take her passion for helping others to the next level. While an undergraduate student, Cush discovered her passion for guiding and mentoring students through their academic and social transitions while working as an academic coach. More recently, she has supported students and community development at the systems level for the Marshall County Community Foundation and United Way.

Cush joined the TSC as the 21st Century Success Specialist in January 2023, and is excited to support students on their academic journey. Cush looks forward to creating a welcoming and supportive environment at every step while helping students work through challenges and build on their strengths.

In her free time, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, cooking, going to indie music concerts, and being outdoors in nature! On occasion, you can find her making arts & crafts, reading top Reddit comments, and pondering questions of human connection and togetherness. Cush feels most centered when she is journaling, learning more about Caribbean history, and advocating for local, sustainable, and just food systems.

Jessycka French, BA | Student Support Specialist, African-American/Black and Multiracial Students

Jessycka French is a native Hoosier who graduated from Michigan City High School in Michigan City and attended IU South Bend (IUSB) for her undergraduate studies in Psychology. At IUSB, she participated in the Costa Rica Summer Study Abroad Program living with a host family in Nicoya, Costa Rica for a month. Jessycka also worked at the Gateway in the Administration Building for a couple of years serving students and helping with their everyday campus needs. 

As the African American/Black and Multiracial Student Support Specialist, Jessycka is excited to further develop an inclusive environment at IUSB campus all while ensuring that students can receive a successful college experience.

For the past two years, Jessycka has worked with Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of St. Joseph County as a Staff Advocate. In this position, she advocated for children in court who are victims of abuse and/or neglect. This position helped Jessycka understand how important her voice is and she wanted to make a larger impact, leading her to go for her master’s degree in social work (MSW). Jessycka is currently in the MSW program at IUSB and hoping to graduate in May 2023. 

In her free time, Jessycka likes to spend time with her family and friends, walk her dog (Toby), travel to different states, and read mystery books. 

Brenna Giazzon, BM | Transfer Student Specialist

Brenna is a Illinois native who graduated from Butler University with a Bachelor of Music in Music Education and a minor in Spanish. At Butler, she participated in multiple music ensembles including the Butler University Marching Band, Wind Ensemble, Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Orchestra, and co-founded a student-led brass choir. In addition, Brenna was a member of the Women’s Chorus which led to an opportunity to perform at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway with the Rolling Stones. She also studied abroad in Spain and lived with a host family in Alcalá de Henares. Once graduating from Butler University, Brenna spent five years teaching band at Munster and Bremen.

Brenna joined the TCS team as the Transfer Student Specialist in December 2022, and is excited to develop an exciting program that invites students to campus and feel supported through every step of their educational journey at IU South Bend and beyond.

In her free time Brenna enjoys playing video games, spending time with her cats, and camping. She hopes to travel abroad frequently and continue to discover new anime to watch. She also teaches private lessons and is a member of the IU South Bend community band.

Becky Lindstrom, MSEd | Guided Pathways Academy Success Coach

Becky grew up in Mishawaka and earned both her Bachelor of Science in Meteorology and a Master of Science in Education from Purdue University. She has a diverse career background that includes experiences in K-12 education, environmental conservation, nonprofit program management, and higher education. After college, she moved out west for thirteen years, worked in three different national parks, became conversational in Spanish, and earned her certification in Professional Coaching for Work & Life through the UC Davis continuing education program in 2014.

After she started her own coaching practice, Becky returned to the area where she combined her love of coaching and her passion for working with students as a consultant at Saint Mary’s College and an Enrollment Specialist for Ivy Tech Community College. She joined the TSC team in March 2023, and is excited to provide coaching support for Guided Pathways Academy students here at Indiana University South Bend.

When she isn’t at work, Becky loves to garden, take nature photos, and go rockhounding along the beaches of Lake Michigan. She also enjoys spending quality time with her extended family in southern Minnesota and relaxing at home in South Bend with her partner. Her personal experiences living with generalized anxiety have made her a strong advocate for destigmatizing conversations around mental health and taught her the importance of learning how to effectively manage stress, especially during times of adversity and uncertainty. She is honored to serve as a resource for anyone in need of support.

Kathy Miller, BGS | 21st Century Scholars Coordinator

Kathy is a Mishawaka native. As a former 21st Century Scholar, she graduated from IU South Bend in 2006 with a Bachelor’s Degree in General Studies with a concentration in Arts and Humanities. As a student, she began working on campus as part of work study for the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships, and became a full-time staff member before graduation. She has over 15 years of experience helping students navigate their college journey.

In her free time, Kathy spends time with her husband and two children, who are always keeping her on her toes and laughing. She also enjoys crafting, crocheting and trying new baking recipes.

As the 21st Century Scholars Coordinator, Kathy is excited to help Scholars ensure that they are not only completing the requirements to maintain their award, but also stay successful in the classroom while balancing life.

Cynthia Murphy, BA, BGS | Recruitment Retention Counselor

Cynthia Murphy, or Sra. Cynthia as her students know her, is a native Hoosier who graduated from Northwood High School and went on to attend Indiana University Bloomington (IUB) in 1980. At IUB, she participated in the Indiana/California Overseas Study Program where she lived with a host family in Lima, Peru South American for a year. This experience led her to later graduate with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, with a major in Social Work, from Goshen College in 1991. She also earned a Bachelor of General Studies with a Paralegal Certificate from Indiana University South Bend (IU South Bend) in May 2012 and (primero Díos) hopes to complete her unfinished Master’s degree when she retires!

In her fifteen years at IU South Bend, she has worked as the Recruitment/Retention Counselor for Latino students and their families for the former Making the Academic Connection Office and, in her current position, as an Academic Success Coach with the Titan Success Center. At IU South Bend, she travelled with students to Costa Rica and Belize and is a passionate advocate of study abroad experiences. Cynthia is fluent in Spanish and especially enjoys her role as staff advisor to the Latino Student Union. In addition to her students, who are her “familia”, she is also a proud mom to daughters Megan, Chelsey, and abuelita to three grandchildren, Claire, Liam, and Tristyn.

Administrative Assistant

Lori Schmatz

Lori began working for IU South Bend in 2017 and currently works in the Titan Success Center as an Administrative Assistant.  She is dedicated to working alongside and supporting the Academic Success Coaches with the shared commitment in providing students the help and guidance they need.

Outside of work, Lori enjoys traveling, going to concerts, attending sporting events and especially spending time with her family.

Lori is excited to work with and provide support to her colleagues and learn new and different processes and information. She looks forward to greeting the students and making them feel welcome at the Titan Success Center.