West Chester is proud to be participating in Moon Shot for Equity, a national initiative committed to eliminating equity gaps in higher education. As part of this work, West Chester University has been implementing EAB’s 15 best practices that make the student experience more inclusive and manageable. Although this mission aims for systemic change, one of its most important goals is simple: ensuring students have someone they can turn to when college life becomes overwhelming.
That person is Lisa Montgomery, WCU’s newly appointed Director of Student Advocacy and Resource Support. Her role was developed in response to the Hope Center survey, which revealed an alarmingly low number of students know what resources are available to them at the institution. Her role is not only to connect students to these underutilized supports, but also to approach their needs with humanity, integrity, and compassion.
I sat down with Lisa to gain insight into her position and the goals she has set for the future.
Meet Lisa Montgomery
During our discussion, Lisa made it clear she believes every student’s voice deserves to be heard. Her position exists to support students in overcoming the often-overlooked challenges of college life: financial struggles, housing instability, food insecurity, or the difficulty of balancing work, family, and academics.
Although the position is new, the work is not unfamiliar. Before joining Moon Shot, Lisa worked jointly in WCU’s Ombuds Office and as the Director of Parent and Family Relations. She described the pairing of these two positions as a “partnership,” explaining how she addressed parental concerns while privately guiding students toward the appropriate campus departments and resources.
Lisa described her new role, Moon Shot’s Resources Education Advocacy Champion (REACH), as the “perfect opportunity,” emphasizing that her goal “is to work directly with our students… [and] to support them, especially through times like these.”
Her experience is unmistakable. She repeatedly emphasized approaching every student without judgement and with the same level of respect. She understands how many students struggle to meet their basic needs and encourages them to reach out rather than suffering in silence.
At this moment, her primary goal is to raise awareness. She aims to inform the masses. She plans to broadcast Moon Shot related material on campus TV screens, create more promotional content on social media, and be more present at university events. Lisa’s position is not passive, she wants to actively reach out to our students and normalize asking for help. She underlined the importance of this step, explaining that students can’t use a resource that they don’t know about. She stated, “I don’t want any student being upset about a situation and not thinking that they have anyone that they can talk to.”
How Lisa Supports Students Day-to-Day
Lisa’s role is intentionally flexible because student needs are diverse in nature. One day she may be helping a student complete financial aid forms, and the next day she may be connecting someone to food resources or helping resolve advising holds.
Her office is not disciplinary. It is not academic advising. It is not counseling. It’s a place where students can simply say “I’m struggling,” and work with someone who will help them identify their next steps.
She serves as a bridge, someone who listens, identifies barriers, and connects students to the tools that can help them complete their degree path more safely and confidently.
Resources Students Should Be Aware of
As part of her mission, Lisa collaborates closely with programs that increase student belonging, provide structure, and support student well-being. Although many resources exist across campus, she highlighted one department she works with frequently: the Center for Community Engagement and Social Impact (CCESI).
CCESI serves as an umbrella department overseeing several programs related to community partnership, service, and student support. Lisa mentioned two of these programs in our conversation:
Resource Pantry
The Resource Pantry offers free access to food, toiletries, school supplies, and professional clothing for job interviews or school presentations. There are no qualifications. Whether you are undergraduate or graduate student, you can simply walk in and pick up what you need (Monday-Friday 10 am to 4 pm). If you’ve ever skipped a meal to save money or struggled to afford essentials, this space is for you. It is a judgement-free zone dedicated to helping students gain a sense of stability.
The Resource Pantry is located at 715 S New Street (lower level of Commonwealth Hall through Student Health Center entrance).
Website: Website
Benefits Hub
Balancing coursework and other responsibilities become much more challenging when you lack essential necessities. The Benefits Hub helps students navigate various support systems such as housing assistance, SNAP (food stamps), healthcare coverage, and other financial resources. If students are unsure of their eligibility or need assistance with the process, they should not hesitate to reach out to Lisa for guidance. Students deserve to focus on their degree, not on meeting their basic needs.
The Benefits Hub is located at 715 S New Street (lower level of Commonwealth Hall through Student Health Center entrance).
Their website: Website
If you are interested in learning more about available support, the university maintains a comprehensive list here: Student Success Resources – WCU of PA
Don’t Hesitate to Reach Out!!
While Moon Shot for Equity focuses their efforts on large-scale systemic change, Lisa’s work reminds us that this begins at a personal level. “I may share a thing or two about myself,” Lisa says. “I personalize each conversation that I have with students and provide potential information about myself or about situations that I’ve experienced to help put them at ease.”
As highlighted by the Hope Center survey, many students facing personal, financial, or mental challenges choose not to utilize available resources. Whether due to shame, uncertainty, or doubt, too many students deal with overwhelming issues alone. However, these resources exist to help them stay enrolled, stay healthy, and reach their goals.
Everyone deserves support. Reaching out is not admitting defeat, it is often the first step in choosing to keep going. And that exactly is what Moon Shot for Equity is all about.
Students can connect with Lisa via email (lmontgomery@wcupa.edu) or by scheduling a visit to her office in the Science & Engineering Center & The Commons (SECC), Room 343.
Support exists, and with Lisa in this role, students have a dedicated advocate ready to help them find it.
