Academic Advising Center Leadership
Beth is relatively new to the University of Utah (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, but always found her way back to academic advising and advising administration.
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.
Academic Advising Center Advising Team
(in Alphabetical Order)
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.
Joe Becker
Peer Advisor, Academic Advising Center
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.
Yordanos (JOJO) Beyene joined the University of Utah staff in July 2015 as a Bridge Advisor for the College of Health. She attended Utah State University for her undergraduate degree and the University of Utah for her Master’s degree.
Sage Blackburn
Peer Advisor, Academic Advising Center
Office in William Browning Bldg
Michelle is originally from all over the Midwest and has a BFA in Art History from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. She is the Bridge Advisor for the College of Mines & Earth Sciences in Atmospheric Sciences.
Jency has been an advisor in the Academic Advising Center for over 20 years. He has a bachelor’s degree in Biology from Ohio State University and an MBA from the University of Dayton as well as a Certificate in Higher Ed Leadership from the University of Utah
Xavier is a peer advisor at the Academic Advising Center. He is currently studying Communications with an English minor in Creative Writing.
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.
Sidney is a peer advisor in the Academic Advising Center. She came to the U on an academic scholarship and is studying Social Work with a Minor in Modern Dance.
Jon Diaz
Academic ADVIsing coordinator, ACADEMIC ADVISING CENTER
MAP Assistant director, coordinator of peer program
Jon is from Honduras and has lived in Florida and California. He received his Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from BYU-Idaho and completed his Master’s degree in Education at Western Governors University.
Juliana is originally from LA and has lived in Boston, New York, and Sweden. Not sure what to talk to Juliana about in your appointment? Here are some ideas: working part time while in school, internships, undergraduate research, learning abroad, and student organizations.
Tracey received her Bachelor’s degree in Sociology and her Master’s degree in Public Administration, both from the University of Utah. She has worked in academic advising since 2009, and is a bridge advisor for the College of Social and Behavioral Science.
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.
Steve has worked in the AAC for the last 13 years and is currently head of Curriculum and Assessment. He received his Bachelor's and Master's degreees in Sociology from Utah State University.
Josh joined the Academic Advising Center in the fall of 2013 and has loved every minute of it. He recently graduated with a BS in Psychology and is enrolled in the Master's of Social Work program beginning Fall 2017. When not studying, Josh is active as a dance instructor.
Taryn Horner enters her first year as a Bridge Advisor in the College of Social and Behavioral Science. She has her Bachelor's of Science degree in Exercise Sport Science Pedagogy and a Master's in Education Foundations.
Abigail Johnson
Peer Advisor, Academic Advising Center
Anna earned both a Bachelor's and Master's from the U and has advised health and business students. Additionally, Anna participates in research related to the occupation of Academic Advising. She has presented at local, state, regional and national advising-related conferences.
Copeland is the Bridge Academic Advisor for the College of Humanities. His responsibilities include advising students in the Department of Languages & Literature and helping students navigate the complexities of the BA Language Requirement.
Amanda Karls
Academic advising coordinator, Academic Advising Center
orientation and outreach coordinator
Amanda is from Wisconsin and has lived in Kentucky and Indiana. She received her Bachelor’s degrees in Social Work and Legal Studies from UW-Madison. She completed a Master’s degree in Educational Policy and Evaluation at the University of Kentucky.
Mayumi is an advisor in the Preprofessional Advising office. She has a Bachelor's degree in International Studies and a Master’s degree in Comparative Literary and Cultural Studies from the University of Utah.
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.
Originally from Florida, Tam joined the PreProfessional Advising office in 2017. He graduated with his Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and received his M.Ed. from the University of South Florida.
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.
Ally graduated in 2014 from Elon University with a major in Anthropology and minor in Classical Studies and obtained her Master’s degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs Leadership from the University of Northern Colorado.
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 is currently pursuing her MA in Professional Writing, also from Northern Arizona University.
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.
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.
Stacy received her Bachelor’s degree in Anthropology, a minor in Geography, and obtained her Master’s degree in Geography from the University of Utah. She is a bridge advisor for the college of Social and Behavioral Science.
Karla Motta, M.Ed., serves as the Academic Bridge Coordinator for the College of Education - Urban Institute for Teacher Education. Karla works with local high schools, community organizations and university members to provide advising to pre-education teaching majors.
Shelley Nicholson
Academic Advising Coordinator, Academic Advising Center
Assistant Director Preprofessional Advising
Shelley earned her bachelor’s degree in Geography and minored in both Communication and Leadership Studies. She eventually landed at the University of Utah to earn her M.Ed in Educational Leadership & Policy.
Elizabeth Perez graduated from the University of Utah with Bachelor's degrees in English Literature and International Studies. She also earned a Master's degree in Education at the U of U.
Emerson was born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah and is currently a student at the University of Utah, studying Geography and Geographic Information Systems.
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.
Martina has been an advisor in the Academic Advising Center for over 15 years. She has a Bachelor's Degree in Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley, and a Master's in Career and College Counseling from San Francisco State University.
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.
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.
Cari is a peer advisor in the Academic Advising Center. She is studying Math Teaching, inspired by her experience as a high school math tutor.
Office in Marriott Center for Dance 126
Kate Wolsey graduated in 2011 with a BA in Film and Media Arts from the University of Utah. She is a bridge advisor for the College of Fine Arts.
Jennifer has been an advisor since 2012. She earned her Master’s in Educational Leadership & Policy from the University of Utah and has a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from Weber State University.
Tamara has been an academic advisor since 2014. She has a B.S. in Physics from Utah State University and a M.S. in Physics from the University of Utah.
Academic Advising Center Admin Team
(Alphabetical Order)
Nick joined the Pre-Professional Advising team in Fall 2017. He is from Wisconsin and has lived in Kentucky, Indiana, and now Utah. Nick has a degree in Recreation Management and hopes to return to courses at the U.
Jason joined the Academic Advising Center in the winter of 2018. A Utah native he has a Bachelor of Science degree in City and Metropolitan planning from the University of Utah which he finished in 2014.
Tammy joined the Academic Advising Center on Friday the 13th of January, 2012. Tammy is a Hoosier, hailing from Indiana originally but has lived in Utah for the last 28 years. She is currently pursuing Bachelor's degrees in Psychology and Communication.
Bethany is a Utah native. She plans to use her AS General Studies Degree from SLCC as a jumping off point to becoming a Ute and is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in English beginning fall of 2017.
Joy is new to the Academic Advising Center, but she has been an active part of the University's Parent Association for 5 years. Joy received her degree from The University of California, Berkeley. She loves working with all people and hopes to help as many as possible navigate the University.
