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Meet our Advisors and Staff


 

Academic Advising Center Leadership

Jason Atherton

Jason Atherton

Director AAC


 Email

 Office in SSB

 

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.

White Double Bubbles advisor story

Julia Vincent

Julia Vincent

Director AAC


  Email

 Office in SSB


 

Bio

Julia joined the AAC team in 2012.  She is an alumna of the University of Utah with undergraduate studies in Mass Communication and Leadership Studies.  She also earned her Master’s degree in Information Systems from the U.  Julia is passionate about working with first year students, exploring students, and underrepresented students. In her free time, Julia enjoys gardening, renovating her home, spending time with her two black cats, and sewing.

White Double Bubbles advisor story 

Ashley Glenn

Ashley Glenn

Associate Director AAC


  Email

 Office in SSB 

 

 

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 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.

advisor story  

 

 

 

Academic Advising Center Full Time Advisors

stephanie-begaye

Stephanie Begaye

Academic Advising Coordinator

Assistant Director of
Major Exploration Program


  Email

  Office in SSB

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.

advisor story  

Jerry Brockman

Jerry Brockman

Assistant Director

 Director of Major Exploration


 Email

 Office in SSB

Bio

Jerry joined the AAC team in 2023 but started working in higher education as a first-year advisor in Anchorage, Alaska after retiring from the Air Force and earning a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Alaska Anchorage. He was both a first-generation and non-traditional student, which helps inform his passion for helping traditionally underrepresented students navigate the college experience and achieve their educational goals. Like nearly everybody else in Utah, Jerry enjoys the occasional hike and bike ride, but most weekends he can be found on his motorcycle supporting Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association events.

Heather Crum

Heather Crum

Senior Academic Advisor

Assistant Director of Academic Standards


 Email

 Office in SSB

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.

advisor story  

Zach Earl

Zach Earl

Academic Advisor

PreProfessional Advising


 Email

Office in Building 44

Bio

Zach grew up in Utah and graduated from the U in 2019 with a double major in Linguistics and International Studies. After 4 years of teaching English as a second language, he’s back at the U! Zach joined PreProfessional Advising in Fall 2023. When he's not advising PreHealth students, he enjoys singing with the Utah Chamber Artists, gardening with native plants, and going camping with his dogs, Loki and Thor.

steve-hadleySteve Hadley

Assistant Director

Director of Assessment 


 Email

 Office in SSB

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. 

advisor story  

hannah-hillHannah Hill

Academic Advising Coordinator

Assistant Director of Academic Standards


 Email

 Office in SSB

Bio

Hannah joined the AAC 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!

advisor story  

Quentin

Quentin Hodges

Academic Advising Coordinator

Assistant Director of PreProfessional Advising


 Email

 Office in Building 44

Bio

Quentin is a proud alum of the University of Utah. He graduated in 2011 with a degree in Exercise Physiology (now called Kinesiology). Quentin obtained his Masters of Education degree from Clemson University in South Carolina. After moving back to Utah in 2019, he has been an academic advisor on campus dedicated to helping students as they navigate their academics. Additionally, Quentin is fanatical about movies, musical theater and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Alessandra-ZamoraAlessandra Zamora Holt

Academic Advisor II

PreProfessional Advising


 Email

 Office in Building 44

Bio

Alessandra was born and raised in Salt Lake City and is a U alum twice over. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Gender Studies in 2017 and her Master’s degree in Education, Culture, and Society in 2019 before joining Preprofessional Advising in May 2021. As a first generation Latina, she is passionate and committed to helping students navigate higher education.  She is a new mom and loves spending time with her family. An avid cook and baker, she loves to decorate cakes and is a huge foodie.

advisor story  

Emily Howsley

Emily Howsley

Academic Advisor II

Herriman Campus


  Email

  Office at Herriman Campus

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.

Amanda-MackayAmanda MacKay

Academic Advisor

Academic Standards


 Email

  Office in SSB

Bio

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 Academic Advising Center as an Academic Standards Advisor helping students get back on track after academic challenges.

Jon-Murphy

Jon Murphy

Academic Advisor II

Utah Global Advisor


 Email

  Office in SSB

Bio

Jon is originally from the Washington D.C. area but moved to Japan after completing his undergraduate program in Communications. He has since earned MA degrees in TESOL/Applied Linguistics and Sports Administration.  Jon strives to help students achieve their full potential and have tremendously positive experiences at the U. Outside of higher education, Jon has served as a basketball official for 20 years and enjoys traveling.

advisor story  

Shelley Nicholson

Shelley Nicholson

Assistant Director

Director of PreProfessional Advising


 Email

 Office in Building 44

Bio

College is hard! Shelley's role as 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.

advisor story  

Shelby Peterson

Shelby Peterson

Academic Advisor

Outreach and Orientation


 Email

 Office in SSB

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. 

Madi-Popp

Madi Popp

Academic Advisor

Academic Standards


  Email

  Office in SSB

Bio

Madison is from the Midwest and recently moved to Utah with her husband and their dog, Fig, for new adventures in the mountains. Madison studied at Joliet Junior College in Illinois and received an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts, as well as an Associate Degree in Culinary Management. She is currently working on her Bachelor's in Hospitality and Tourism Management. In her free time she likes to read, listen to podcasts, and spend time with her family exploring.

my story

Madeline-Rencher
Madeline Rencher

Academic Advising Coordinator

Assistant Director of Orientation and Outreach


 Email

  Office in SSB

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.

advisor story  

rosie-russo

Rosie Russo

Academic Advisor

Outreach and Orientation


 Email

 Office in SSB

Bio

Rosie is originally from Virginia and completed her B.A. in English before heading west for graduate study, earning Master’s degrees in Communication from the University of Colorado-Denver and the University of Utah, respectively. Rosie loves helping students articulate their values and interests and how those intersect with major and career paths. An avid soccer fan, you can probably find her at the next Real Salt Lake home game.

Amy-Urbanek

Amy Urbanek

Senior Advisor

Assistant Director of PreProfessional Advising


  Email

  Office in Building 44

Bio

Amy joined her alma mater as an advisor in 11 years after earning her BS degree in Psychology from the University of Utah. She also has a Master of Counseling degree from Arizona State University. Amy enjoys the outdoors, reading, music, and trying to train her senior rescue dog. While he is pretty set in his ways, you can, in fact, teach an old dog new tricks.

advisor story  

April-Vrtis
April Vrtis-Curran

Academic Advising Coordinator

Assistant Director of Orientation and Outreach


  Email

  Office in SSB

Bio

April began her time at the U as an Undecided Advisor for the College of Engineering in 2016. In 2022, she joined the Academic Advising Center. April hails from the Midwest where she obtained her B.A. in Psychology and Master’s in Leadership in Higher Education from North Central College. She is a bit of a homebody and enjoys spending time with her husband, dog, cat and kid.

advisor story  

Bridge Advisors & College Liaisons

Hannah

Hannah Bergstrom

Bridge Advisor

David Eccles School of Business


  Email

  Office in SFEBB

Bio

Hannah is an academic advisor in the School of Business. She grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah. She attended the University of Utah for her undergraduate and graduate degrees, receiving Bachelor’s degrees in Anthropology and Writing & Rhetoric Studies, and a Master’s degree in Education, Culture, and Society. During her Master’s degree, Hannah studied systemic social issues in education, and this drives her passion for student advising. In her free time, Hannah enjoys reading, gardening, embroidery, doing puzzles, and hanging out with her cat named Goose.

Lauren Bustamante

Bridge Advisor

College of Science


  Email

  Office in LCB 212

Bio

Lauren is originally from Southern California where she worked in higher education before moving to Utah in 2018. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from University of La Verne and her Masters of Science in Academic Advising from Kansas State. As a first generation Latina she is passionate about helping students achieve college success. Her personal motto is “Si, Se Puede!”.

Lexi Crabb

Bridge Advisor

College of Engineering


  Email

  Office in WEB

Bio

Lexi is an academic advisor in the Price College of Engineering Dean’s Office. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology from UVU and an M.Ed in Education, Culture, and Society at the U of U. Lexi also earned a M.Ed from Southern Methodist University with an emphasis in Gifted & Talented Education. She is passionate about education and helping students achieve their goals! In her free time, you can find Lexi hanging out with her husband and dog, making new recipes, or binging the latest reality TV show. 

Erica Fearnley

Bridge Advisor

College of Nursing

  Email

  Office in SMBB

Bio

Andrew Grace

Bridge Advisor

College of Fine Arts


  Email

  Office in ART 270

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.

Abby Harris

Bridge Advisor

College of Engineering


  Email

  Office in WEB

Bio

Abby is bridge advisor from the Price College of Engineering Dean’s Office. She earned her B.A. in English from the University of Utah in 2023. Abby enjoys all things higher education and loves advising students. When she isn’t working you can find Abby playing with her dogs and a street cat named Mae, watching TV, or playing video games.

Sara Hatch

College Liaison

Advisor, College of Education


  Email

  Office in SAEC

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.

Jennifer A. McLaurin

Bridge Advisor

College of Fine Arts


  Email

  Office in Performing Arts

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.

Karleton Munn

College Liasion

Honors College


  Email

   Office in Kahlert Village

Bio

Karleton returned to the University of Utah and joined the Honors College in the Summer of 2019. After completing his undergraduate degree in English at Weber State University, he worked as an academic advisor here at the U in the Dept. of History. During that time, he completed a master's degree in Educational Leadership and Policy. He is currently a doctoral candidate at Ohio State University and will finish in Summer of 2022. Karleton works with all honors students but is the Honors College liaison to the Academic Advising Center, College of Humanities, College of Science, and the College of Education.

Justin Nistler

Bridge Advisor

College of Humanities


  Email

   Office in LNCO

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.

Maddi Olsen

Bridge Advisor

College of Social Work


  Email

   Office in Gardner Commons

Bio

Maddi has been advising in the College of Social and Behavioral Science since August 2018. She majored in Psychology & Human Development & Family Studies at the University of Utah. When Maddi isn’t working or doing homework for her graduate program, she enjoys spending time with her husband & twin boys, listening to true crime podcasts, chilling with her cats, or painting her nails.

Bree Molinari

Bridge Advisor

College of Science


  Email

  Office in JTB 208

Bio

Bree is from Indiana originally, but has lived in Indiana, California, and Utah. She moved to Salt Lake City in 2016 and has been working at the U ever since, first at the LGBT Resource Center and then as a Biology Advisor, which she has been doing for one year. She has her Bachelor of Arts in Studio Art from Indiana University, and is passionate about making sure students know how to take advantage of all of the resources that college has to offer.

Whitney Stoddard

Bridge Advisor

Medical Laboratory Science


  Email

Office in Building 379

Bio

Whitney was born and raised in Northern Utah and received her B.S. in Interpersonal and Family Communication from Weber State University. She is currently a Pre-Medical Laboratory Science Academic Advisor and wants to be a support to students in their educational pursuits. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, kayaking, going to Disneyland and watching Friends on replay with her friends and family.

Brenda Wicks

Bridge Advisor

College of Mines and Earth Sciences


  Email

  Office in 304 CME

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

David-Eisen

David Eisen

Administrative Assistant


  Email

  Office in SSB

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.

my story

Cassidy

Cassidy Heacock

Reception Team Coordinator


  Email

  Office in SSB

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.

my story

Leslie Garavito

Leslie Garavito

Office Assistant


  Email

  Office in SSB

Bio

Leslie is from Los Angeles and has recently moved to Utah to join AAC. In 2021, she received an Associate’s 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. 

Noah Rice

Noah Rice

Office Assistant


  Email

  Office in SSB

Bio

Noah is an incoming freshman at the University of Utah. He is a West High School graduate who loves family, friends, food, and occasionally the outdoors.

Last Updated: 1/5/24