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.
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 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.
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 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 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.
Office in Social Work Building
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.
Sean earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Boise State University and a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing (Fiction) from Oregon State University. Prior to joining the Academic Advising Center at the University of Utah, Sean taught and advised at Oregon State University and Purdue University.
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.
Office in Crocker Science Center
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 and minor in German, and in 2015 earned an MEd in Adult Learning and Global Change from the University of British Columbia. She loves college football, gymnastics, and all dogs (but especially hers), and is excited to promote the value of major exploration to the university campus
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.
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 an 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 & minored in both Communication & Leadership Studies. She eventually landed at the U of U to earn her M.Ed in Educational Leadership & Policy.
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.
Office in SSBTerese 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
Assistant director
ORIENTATION AND OUTREACH academic advising center, utah global advsior
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.
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.
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.
Jennifer joined the Academic Advising Center as Bridge advisor for the David Eccles School of Business in 2018. She holds a BA in Philosophy from University of Georgia and a PhD in History from University of Oregon.
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.
Office in Warnock Engineering Room 1650
April hails from the cornfields of Illinois. She graduate with he BA in Psychology and MA in Leadership in Higher Education from North Central College. She joined the U in 2016 and now works as a Bridge Advisor for the College of Engineering.
Joseph received his BA in History & French from Central Michigan University. After teaching English in France for a year, he moved to Utah earning an M.Ed. in Educational Leadership & Policy from the U. He is passionate about helping students find purpose & meaning in their academic & professional careers.
Academic Advising Center Admin Team
(Alphabetical Order)
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.
Regan joined the Academic Advising Center in Fall of 2018. She is from Las Vegas, NV and is currently a student at the University of Utah. She will be double majoring in marketing and accounting. When she isn’t studying, Regan enjoys spending time with her pets, horseback riding, and running.
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.
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 29 years. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in both Psychology and Communication and is pursuing a Master of Science degree in Gerontology.
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.
Destony has been a member of the Academic Advising Center since February of 2019. Hailing from a small fishing town in Alaska, she earned an associate of arts at the University of Alaska Southeast (Sitka Campus), and hopes to one day continue her education in the Pre-Veterinary program at the U of U.
Valerie is our newest member in the AAC. She graduated with a BA in History from the University of Missouri-Columbia and moved to Utah in June 2018. She enjoys spending sunny days outside with her dogs, Maisy and Roan.
