Meet our Advisors and Staff
Campus Advising Solutions - Leadership and Mission Statement
Bio
Ashley joined the Academic Advising Center in January 2020 after advising students
within International and Areas Studies majors for five years. When the Academic Advising
Center transitioned into the Navigate Hub for Exploring Students and Campus Advising
Solutions (CAS), she joined the CAS team to continue to serve both students and academic
advisors at the U. As an undergraduate, she double majored in English and History
before moving to Utah 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.
"The academy is not paradise. But learning is a place where paradise can be created.
The classroom, with all its limitations, remains a location of possibility." - bell
hooks
Our Mission
Campuswide Advising Solutions at the University of Utah supports students at critical moments in their academic journey—when they’re deciding to apply, commit, or continue after experiencing academic challenges. We ensure students receive consistent, coordinated, and accurate information through managing campuswide advising programs and creating student-centered resources.
For the campus advising community, we design
and deliver comprehensive training that
equips advisors with the skills, competencies,
and resources they need to guide students
to timely graduation.
Our Programs
Campus Advising Solutions houses the below programs that serve undergraduate students
and the academic advising community at the University of Utah:
Campuswide Advisor Training & Development Early Engagement in Advising
Milestone Advising
Campuswide Advisor Training & Development
The Campuswide Advisor Training & Development Program equips academic advisors with the skills, competencies, and resources they need to support students as they design exceptional educational plans and guide students to timely graduation. They aim to provide a strong foundation for all academic advisors, ensuring every advisor and unit are able to operationalize a proactive advising approach for all students at the U.
CONTACT THE TEAM
Bio
Emily joined the Navigate Hub for Exploring Students team in April 2024. She is a University of Utah Alumni with a BA in English, earned her post master’s degree in educational psychology from Brooklyn College (CUNY), and certified as an ICF life coach. Emily is passionate about helping students identify their personal strengths to deepen their self-understanding and chart their individual pathway to success. Off duty, Emily is probably in the garden or trying new recipes.
Bio
Amber joined the Navigate Hub for Exploring Students team in July 2024 after 8 years in Student Affairs. She received her BA in Sociology with a Minor in Criminal Justice from Fort Hays State University, and her M.Ed in Educational Leadership & Policy at the U. Amber is passionate about helping students find community and success on campus. When she's not at work, she enjoys spending time with her partner, kiddo, and 2 black cats, reading, and watching Colorado Avalanche hockey.
Bio
Born and raised in Salt Lake City, Cassidy developed a deep appreciation for the opportunities life has offered her. She earned her degree in Early Childhood Education from Grand Canyon University and later pursued a Master of Science in Management and Leadership from Western Governors University. Since 2018, she has worked full-time in higher education, where she admires the grit and determination of students striving for a better future. Cassidy is passionate about the arts, spending time with her son, health and wellness, sharing laughter, and cheering on her favorite teams. Go Utah! Go Celtics!
Early Engagement in Advising
The Early Engagement in Advising Program provides high quality advising to ensure prospective, newly admitted, and early college students feel encouraged by the thought of what college can be, motivated to begin exploring majors early, and empowered to make informed decisions. We aim for every student to start their college journey with a positive advising experience and vision of the university as a place of possibility.
Bio
Madeline graduated from the U with 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
Emily is an alumna of the University of Wyoming and Western Wyoming Community College. She joined the Navigate Hub for Exploring Students team in 2024 after working in the Office of Orientation & Student Success at SLCC. During her time there, Emily advised and advocated for first-generation and traditionally underrepresented students, as well as English Language Learners. Before pursuing a career in higher education, Emily taught in the Dual Language Immersion program in Canyons School District for 7 years. Her passion lies in helping students find a sense of belonging at the university and exploring all the choices and possibilities available to them in their college experience. Outside of work, you'll find Emily at the theatre, watching women's sports, or on a walk with her partner and their little old man dog, Freddie.
Bio
Shelby graduated from The University of Nevada, Reno with her B.S and M.S in Human Development and Family Studies. During graduate school, she became a Certified Family Life Educator and is passionate about helping individuals achieve their academic, personal, and professional goals. In her free time, she likes to travel, watch movies, and decorate sugar cookies.
Bio
Breeanna Nguyen is a dedicated higher education professional with a strong background in academic advising, student support, and program coordination. She brings over a decade of experience working with diverse student populations, including transfer, first-generation, and underrepresented students. With a master's degree in management and leadership and a passion for creating accessible educational pathways, Bree is committed to fostering student success through personalized advising and strategic program development. Outside of work, she stays busy raising her kids and running a small family farm. Bree is also an avid crafter, horror enthusiast, and enjoys camping, swimming, and spending time outdoors with her family.
Proactive Advising Program - Academic Standards & Milestone Advising
The Proactive Advising Program leverages campuswide resources and coordinated academic advising to deliver targeted student interventions through the Academic Standards and Milestone Advising Programs. They aim to develop student-centered resources and programming to help students engage in and complete their degrees.
Hannah HillBio
Hannah joined the Navigate Hub for Exploring Students team in June 2022. Originally from Oklahoma, she double majored in Spanish & Psychology as an undergrad at Hendrix College and went on to earn an M.Ed. from the University of Texas at Austin. Hannah is passionate about supporting students in building community in college. Outside of work, she is an avid podcast listener who is always on the hunt for the next great dog park to explore with her partner and their pup!
Amanda MacKayBio
Amanda is a Utah native who graduated Summa Cum Laude from the University of Utah with a double major in Psychology and Communication. She began her career in mental healthcare and found opportunities within the field to help youth get their education back on track after experiencing mental health challenges. Amanda wanted to find a way to combine her passion for mental health advocacy with her interests in education, and landed in the Navigate Hub for Exploring Students as an Academic Standards Advisor helping students get back on track after academic challenges.
Campus Advising Solutions - Administrative Team
Bio
David has been with the Navigate Hub for Exploring Students 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
Cassidy is earning her associates in social work from SLCC, hoping to transfer to the University of Utah next fall to continue with my bachelor's and master's degree. I enjoy helping people, and giving them a voice.
Bio
Leslie is from Los Angeles and has recently moved to Utah to join Navigate Hub for Exploring Students. In 2021, she received an associate degree in General Studies with an Emphasis in Social Behavior & Self- Development from Rio Hondo College. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Chicana/o/x & Latina/o/x Studies from California State University at Long Beach in May of 2023. She plans to obtain her master's degree in Social Work. She loves to go to Starbucks, listen to music, and is a huge fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Bio
McKenna is majoring in Biology and is looking toward a career in forensic science. She is also working on a minor in Sociology. Her interest in Biology mainly came from her dad who majored in Microbiology and bought her her first microscope. She was born and raised in Utah and loves everything about the mountains and the outdoors, going camping and rock hounding with her family any chance she gets. She also likes to spend her free time listening to music with her cat while she crochets.