Meet our Advisors and Staff
Academic Advising Center Leadership
Bio
Beth joined the Academic Advising Center in September, 2015. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology/Psychology from Skidmore College and a PhD in Cell and Developmental Biology from Rutgers University/University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. She taught a variety of courses in the Biology Department at Rutgers before moving to academic advising and advising administration. She believes that effective advising plays a pivotal role in student success.
Bio
John has been an academic advisor since 2001, when he was a graduate student in history at the University of Washington. In 2003, he started working in the Academic Advising Center. John received his BA in history from Brigham Young University and his MA in history from the University of Utah. He enjoys helping students discover their strengths and create plans for their future success.
Bio
Julia joined the Academic Advising Center staff in 2012. She has a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication and a Master of Science in Information Systems, both from the University of Utah.
Academic Advising Center Full Time Advisors
Bio
Jason joined the Academic Advising Center team in March 2015. He received his BA in Communication from Humboldt State University and his MA degree in Educational Leadership from Western Michigan University.
Marshal Beach
Academic Advising Coordinator
Assistant Director of
Major Exploration Program
Bio
Marshal is a newly converted U of U employee and fan as of 2019. After being homeschooled his entire life with every label that implies, Marshal completed a custom designed degree from Southern Utah University before getting his Masters in Public Administration so he could help you find more awesome in life.
Stephanie Begaye
Academic Advising Coordinator
Assistant Director of
Major Exploration Program
Bio
Stephanie joined the Academic Advising Center in July 2015 as part of the Major Exploration Program team. She graduated from the U in 2010, double majoring in Psychology and Behavioral Science & Health.
Bio
Heather enjoys advising students and helping them reach their academic goals. She graduated from the University of Utah with a B.S. degree in Human Development and a M. Ed degree in School Counseling.
Ashley Glenn
Assistant Director
Director of Orientation and Outreach
Bio
Ashley joined the AAC team in January 2020 after 5 years in International and Area Studies. As an undergraduate, she double majored in English and History before continuing on to earn a Master’s degree in History at the U. Having been a first-gen student, Ashley is passionate about working with students during orientation in finding their place at the U and in identifying the possibilities that come through learning.
Steve Hadley
Assistant Director
Director of Advisor Education and Professional Development & Assessment
Bio
Steve is originally from Hurricane, Utah and has worked in the AAC for over 15 years. He received his Bachelor's and Master's degrees in Sociology from Utah State University.
Lisa Hutton
Assistant Director
Director of Major Exploration Program
Bio
Lisa joined the AAC team in Sept. 2019 after advising for 7 years in the College of Humanities. She graduated from the U in 2008 with a BA in International Studies & minor in German, & in 2015 earned an MEd in Adult Learning & Global Change from the University of British Columbia. She loves college football, gymnastics, & all dogs, & is excited to promote the value of major exploration to the university campus.
Allie McClaskey
Academic Advising Coordinator
Assistant Director of Transfer Program, Peer Program Coordinator
Bio
Allie is from Arizona and joined the Academic Advising Center in April 2017. She has a BSBA in Computer Information Systems from Northern Arizona University and an MA in Professional Writing, also from Northern Arizona University.
Jake McPartlin
Academic Advising Coordinator
Assistant Director of Academic Standards, Utah Global Advisor
Bio
Jake, a Michigan native, started his career in the Registrar's Office at the U in May of 2016. He moved to the AAC in October of 2017. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Central Michigan University.
Shelley Nicholson
Academic Advising Coordinator
Assistant Director of Preprofessional Advising
Bio
College is hard! Shelley's role as Asst. Director of PPA is to help students navigate the complexities of how to be a competitive applicant for professional health programs, and also simply just how to be a successful college student. She currently teaches two courses, UGS 1020: Intro to PreMed/PrePA and UGS 1021: Applying to Med School.
Bio
Terese has enjoyed working with students in academic advising and orientation at the University of Utah for over 15 years. Terese is an alumna of the U of U, receiving a BA in English and MA in Linguistics.
Madeline Rencher
Academic Advising Coordinator
Assistant Director of Orientation and Outreach, Utah Global Advisor
Bio
Madeline graduated from the U with an Honors B.S. degrees in Psychology & Health, Society & Policy, & a B.S. in International Studies with Minors in Leadership Studies & Health. She graduated in 2018 with her Master’s Degree in International Relations from Royal Holloway, University of London.
Bio
Amy joined her alma mater as an advisor in 1998, eleven years after earning her BS degree in Psychology from the University of Utah. Amy earned a Master of Counseling degree from Arizona State University.
Academic Advising Center Peer Advisors
Bio
Sage is a student at the University of Utah and a peer advisor at the Academic Advising Center. She grew up in the small town of Hanksville, Utah. Currently she is exploring a variety of majors that interest her the most, and is minoring in French.
Bio
Erica is from Seattle Washington, and is majoring in Biochemistry here at the University of Utah. When Erica is not working or at school, you can find her performing with the Marching Utes, watching old movies, or reading Shakespeare.
Bio
I’m an Idahoan at heart and travel enthusiast! I hope to touch every continent and see all 7 wonders of the world. I’m a junior Honors student majoring in Health, Society and Policy with a minor in Spanish. When I’m not working or in school, I’m usually hiking or skiing.
What is a peer advisor?
Bridge Advisors & College Liaisons
Lauren Bustamante
Bridge Advisor
School of Medicine, Medical Laboratory Science
Bio
Lauren is a California native who joined University of Utah in February 2020. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from University of La Verne, & is currently completing her masters from Kansas State. As a first generation Latina she is passionate about helping students achieve college success. Her personal motto is “Si, Se Puede!”.
Bio
Jacklyn started at the University of Utah in February 2019 as an advisor for the College of Health and now I will also be a Bridge Advisor. I’m also a graduate of University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science in Exercise and Sport Science. I enjoy traveling, trying new foods, and spontaneous adventures!
Bio
Eli graduated from the University of California, Davis with a Bachelor’s degree in Chicano/a/x Studies & Spanish Literature, & an MSW degree from the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work. Eli really enjoys helping students navigate their college experience. They also enjoy the outdoors, gardening, and cooking tasty, creative meals.
Angelica Dennis
College Liaison
Advisor, College of Social and Behavioral Science
Bio
Angelica is originally from Toronto, Canada where she worked in the creative industry! There she merged her love for people and the art of makeup. As an advisor at the U, she is passionate about empowering students to take the lead in their own academic journey with enthusiasm and care. Angelica is also a student pursuing her business degree in Operations and Supply Cha in Management.
Bio
A graduate of Utah State University with a degree in Physical Sciences Ed., Cyri also has minors in physics & chemistry teaching. She is working on a Masters of Public Administration degree at the U. She loves camping, sports, Wonder Woman, & her dog, Roka.
Bio
Angie joined the Academic Advising Center as the Mathematics Bridge Advisor in 2012. She graduated from the University of Utah in 1997 with a BA in Mathematics and a minor in French.
Bio
Andrew is a bridge advisor in the College of Fine Arts. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree, Master’s Degree, and Doctorate in English. The first one was from Gustavus Adolphus College in Minnesota. The other two were from the University of Oregon.
Bio
Sara is an advisor in the College of Education, and she enjoys working with students to help them be successful in reaching their academic goals. She received her Bachelor’s Degree in English Literature from Utah Valley University. She enjoys reading books and eating chocolate.
Bio
Emily hails from the Grand Canyon state. She is a photographer, artist, and freelance writer for KSL.com and Deseret News. She loves cats, and traveling – but not traveling with cats. Emily enjoys connecting students to opportunities.
Bio
Ali is a Utah native and received her B.A. in Psychology from Weber State and her M.Ed. in Educational Leadership from the University of Utah. She is currently a Business advisor and enjoys working with students to help them excel at their personal and academic goals. Outside of work Ali enjoys spending time with her wife, watching Netflix, and training her dogs, Juno and Willow.
Bio
Tascha is the bridge advisor for the College of Science in Chemistry. She graduated in 2014 with an Honors BS in Chemistry and a BS in Physics.
Bio
Savannah has been an advisor in the College of Nursing since 2016. She has an Honors BA in Linguistics and a BA in International Studies from the University of Utah and is currently completing her master’s degree in Educational Leadership and Policy.
Bio
Jenn is a bridge advisor in the College of Fine Arts. She earned her Bachelor's degree in Anthropology in 2012 and her Master’s Degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs Administration in 2014, both from the State University of New York, Buffalo State.
Bio
Justin has been advising in the College of Humanities since November of 2016 & has loved every minute of it. Originally from Audubon, Minnesota, Justin relocated to Utah at the end of 2015 to chase his love of mountains and all of the adventures they provide.
Bio
Brenda moved from Minnesota to Utah in 2014. She is the academic advisor for the Department of Metallurgical Engineering & the Department of Materials Science & Engineering. She enjoys working with students that are pursuing degrees & careers in the STEM fields. Brenda treasures her faith, family, friends & the beautiful mountains of Utah.
Academic Advising Center Admin Team
Bio
David has been with the Academic Advising Center since March 1996. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in French (plus a Secretarial Certificate) from the University of Utah and attended the University of Washington for one year.
Bio
Jason joined the Academic Advising Center in the winter of 2018. Jason is a Utah native. In 2014, he earned a Bachelor of Science degree in City and Metropolitan planning from the University of Utah.
Bio
Tammy joined the Academic Advising Center in January of 2012. Tammy is a Hoosier, hailing from Indiana originally but has lived in Utah for the last 30 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science degrees in both Psychology and Communication and a Master of Science degree in Gerontology.
Bio
Ruby is from Orange County, California & graduated from the UofU with a BA International Studies and a BFA in Modern Dance. She hopes to one day be able to help students achieve their academic & professional goals like her advisors did during her time at the U.
Bio
Destony rejoined the Academic Advising Center in March of 2021 after parting ways in 2020. She earned her Associate degree at the University of Alaska, and has lived in Salt Lake City for over 3 years. She enjoys camping, road trips, and her cats, and hopes to aid others in following their academic dreams.