Calvin Sutton is currently the GEAR UP Success Coach at Lenoir Community College, located in Kinston, NC. In this role, Calvin’s focus is to proactively assist GEAR UP high school graduates navigate their first college experiences as a first-year college student. To address student needs he anticipates utilizing a combination of support avenues including high touch coaching, campus programming focused on academic preparation, financial literacy, and commitment to completion. He believes an effective and consistent implementation of these support measures will successfully aid the effort in boosting academic persistence, personal development, and semester to semester retention among the institution’s first-year students.
Prior to joining the GEAR UP team, Calvin served as the college advisor and liaison to the Lenoir County Early College High School. He has held positions with Lenoir County Public Schools: Dropout Prevention, CTE Business Teacher, and Transition Specialist under Federal Programs. As an Elon University student/athlete alum, he understands the balancing act that students must perform with academics and responsibility outside of the classroom. He is a supporter of professional, social, and civic engagement and utilizes a collaborative approach to design curated solutions that hopefully brings out the best in circumstance, himself and others.