When Holly Richie talks about her job, she doesn’t start with course schedules, degree plans, or tuition assistance.

She starts with people.

The student in Hawaii who flew thousands of miles to attend commencement and whom she finally met in person.

The student from Houston who persevered through the devastation of Hurricane Harvey and completed his degree against incredible odds.

The countless working adults balancing careers, children, and family responsibilities while trying to build better futures.

After more than 20 years in higher education and 11 years at Bellevue University, Richie has learned something important:

Students don’t just need information. They need someone who believes in them.

A Career Inspired by One Great Advisor

Richie’s path into higher education began with her own college experience.

As a student, she developed a close relationship with an academic advisor who helped her navigate more than course requirements. The advisor helped her make thoughtful choices, pursue subjects that genuinely interested her, and see possibilities she might not have recognized on her own.

That experience stayed with her.

“It inspired me to want to help people reach their personal and professional goals,” Richie says.

After working in financial aid at a community college, she joined Bellevue University as a student coach, eventually becoming a Guild Student Coach, a role she has held for more than six years. Guild is an education platform that works with major employers across the country, and Bellevue University is part of Guild’s academic network.

Today, she supports these students as they work toward their degrees while managing careers, families, and busy lives.

Meeting Students Where They Are

Richie’s students come to Bellevue University through the employer-sponsored education programs offered through Guild.

Companies such as Target, Disney, and others partner with Guild to give employees educational opportunities that might otherwise feel out of reach.

For many students, that support changes everything.

Unlike traditional tuition reimbursement programs, Guild’s model streamlines the process, allowing students to focus less on paperwork and finances and more on learning.

But Richie’s role extends far beyond helping students understand benefits and policies.

She is a coach, cheerleader, problem-solver, and sometimes simply a reassuring voice.

“Adult students have lives outside of college,” she says. “They have families, jobs, and a lot of responsibilities.” Understanding and empathizing with those realities is essential to helping them succeed.

The Power of Encouragement

Throughout her career, Richie has seen firsthand how much support matters.

Many adult learners wonder whether they can really do it.

Can they balance work and school?

Can they make time for classes?

Can they finish something they may have started years earlier?

Richie believes one of the most important things she can do is help answer those questions with confidence.

“Yes. You can do this,” she reassures because she understands that earning a degree is about more than academics. “In college, particularly Bellevue University, you learn so much beyond the academics. You learn a lot about yourself,” she says.

For many students, college becomes a journey of self-discovery, confidence, and personal growth. Richie considers it a privilege to be part of that process.

Relationships That Go Beyond the Classroom

Because many of her students learn online, Richie spends a lot of time talking with people she has never met face-to-face.

Yet those relationships can become remarkably personal.

Students share triumphs and setbacks, celebrations and struggles.

“You can become part of their families,” she says.

Over time, trust develops.

That’s why commencement is one of her favorite experiences. Meeting students in person after years of phone calls and emails is often emotional—for Holly and the graduates.

One student traveled from Hawaii to attend graduation and spent nearly an hour talking with Richie during the open house event.

Another, who had endured extraordinary hardships during Hurricane Harvey, finally met her after completing his degree. “There were definitely tears,” she recalls.

Those moments remind her why she chose this profession. The relationships are real. The impact is real. And the accomplishments are deeply personal.

Changing Lives Through Education

One thing Richie loves about Bellevue University is its commitment to students who might not fit the traditional mold.

Many are working adults. Many are first-generation college students.

Many are returning to school after years away from the classroom. And many are pursuing higher education because they want to create a better future for themselves and their families. Richie understands that earning a degree requires an add-on to intelligence, desire, and ambition. It requires support and encouragement. And it requires someone willing to walk beside students when life becomes complicated.

“I always want to make sure that I do right by the student,” she says.

That student-first philosophy aligns perfectly with Bellevue University’s mission and culture.

A University That Feels Personal

Bellevue University serves students across the country and around the world, so when they get to come to the campus in Nebraska, they are often surprised to discover that the University has a vibrant campus community, championship athletics, and a long tradition of student success.

They arrive and realize something important: This place is real. The people they’ve talked with for years are real and the relationships they’ve built are real. And the accomplishment they’re celebrating is real, too.

For Richie, those moments never lose their meaning.

Every graduate represents persistence, courage, and hope. And every student reminds her why she chose this work in the first place – being a Student Coach isn’t just about helping students earn degrees.

It’s about helping them believe they can.