About

Scott Coykendall and Meghan Merritt Schaffer created Plymouth State University’s Ascent Program in 2020 as a pilot study, based on earlier program Meghan had run. The program, designed to help students make the transition from high school to college, ran for three years and involved some of PSU’s most innovative faculty and staff.

Scott Coykendall is a Professor of Communication & Media Studies at PSU where he teaches Technical Communication, Journalism, and other writing courses. In Spring 2025, he is piloting the university’s first podcasting course. A poet and occasional blogger and storyteller, some of his writings can be found here.

Meghan Merritt Schaffer is a College and Career Navigator through GEAR UP New Hampshire providing early college and career exploration for middle school students in underserved communities. Meghan is also a Teaching Lecturer for History and Social Studies Education at PSU teaching Roots of Current Global Conflict.