Meet Our Team
While we are charged with upholding many University processes and policies, we work closely with faculty, academic advisors in our majors and departments, and partners across campus every day to make sure our College works for our students. We endeavor to help every student access the opportunities this campus affords and connect those that need support with the resouces to be successful. From new student orientation to degree certification, our team guides students through major exploration, supports students through academic and non-academic matters, and facilitates updates to their academic records.
Please direct general inquiries for the Student Division team to colastudiv@austin.utexas.edu
- Student Division Administration
Casey Bushman, Director of Academic Records
Stephanie Quinn, Assistant Director for Student Division Advising
- Records and Certification
Please direct certification questions to la-certification@utlists.utexas.edu and student questions regarding the interactive degree audit to your major advisor.
Henry Hammond, Administrative Program Coordinator, supports degree certification, the interactive degree audit, Veteran's and student-athlete eligibility certification, and academic warning and dismissal.
Michael Palena, Academic Program Coordinator, supports degree certification, the interactive degree audit, Veteran's and student-athlete eligibility certification, tuition rebates, Dean's List and Dean's Recommendations, and student outreach and correspondance.
Delisa Tippens, Senior Administrative Program Coordinator, leads degree certification and the interactive degree audit for Liberal Arts credentials.
- Student Division Advising
Please direct general advising questions to colastudiv@austin.utexas.edu
Stephanie Quinn, Assistant Director for Student Division Advising
Othell Ballage, Academic Advising Coordinator
Matthew Householder, Senior Administrative Associate
Molly Deaver, Senior Academic Advisor: "My first aim as an advisor is always to create a safe space for students to make decisions about their academic path and hold the weight of whatever emotions may arise, whether this is during
routine registration advising or withdrawal from the university. I approach advising by actively listening, explaining information clearly and any academic consequences thoroughly, and affirming the student’s responses along the way. My goal is for students to leave our interaction feeling heard and like they received relevant guidance to make confident choices about their time at UT."Lee Gardner-Warrenfells, Senior Academic Advisor: "My advising philosophy is to create an environment that promotes a reciprocal exchange between advisor and student with integrity. My aim is to foster conversations that promote trust, student accountability, and transparency, while upholding university/college policies. I believe in empowering students to be active participants in their college career by helping them steer their academic careers to reach their career goals, by guiding them to utilize the tools and resources available to them. I am a solutions-focused advisor, helping students overcome obstacles they may face including, but not limited to, academic, social, emotional, medical, and administrative issues. I value the importance of being a caring, respectful, and empathetic advocate for the students we see at such a large university."
Steve Hall, Senior Academic Advisor: "I view academic advising as a partnership between advisor and advisee to assist and support in developing a plan that will allow for visualization and attainment of academic and career goals. An advisor can be effective, and every student can learn. It is my task to cultivate the minds of every student I encounter. I will model the behavior, values, and skills students need to successfully complete their academic journey and function in the world. Advisors are responsible to the individuals they advise, to their institutions, to higher education, to their educational community, and accountable for involving others in the advising process, when appropriate, and for their professional and personal practices."
Oscar Martinez, Senior Academic Advisor
Oluwafunto Oso, Senior Academic Advisor: " I see academic advising beyond procedural guidance and a routine activity. It is mentoring; it is connecting my students to as many opportunities that can set them up for success. When I meet with any student, my goal is to make them feel seen, heard and to instill a knowing in them that they are capable of achieving their academic and career aspirations."
Darius Robinson, Senior Academic Advisor
Ruby Rodriguez, Senior Academic Advisor: "The importance of advisors and catering their student service to the student as an individual with specific needs quickly became clear to me in the early stages of my experience with higher education. My advisors helped me choose my classes to stay on track for graduation, provided resources when I was having a tough time in my personal life, and recommended opportunities outside of the classroom that could enhance and enrich my academic career. To be an advisor means to see a student’s most vulnerable and complex parts of their undergraduate career. Theywill see us when they are experiencing setbacks, and they will see us when they successfullycompleting their degree. My advising philosophy is to serve students with the best path to success they can follow whilec onsidering their lived experiences, and present thoughts and feelings."
Bryan Russell, Senior Academic Advisor: "College is an exciting time to explore and find out who you are and what you’re made of. The shadow side of that, however, is vulnerability. In my role as an advisor, my greatest joy is cheering students on when they make strides in their growth and pursue their goals. My greatest responsibility, however, is handling their vulnerability with care. To that end, while advising practices and administrative policies might change, my approach will always be one that prioritizes a student’s feeling of confidence, competence and care."
Joshua Ybarra, Senior Academic Advisor: "As a first-generation college graduate, I understand the challenges that come with traversing a 4-year university. College is an opportunity for students to explore who they are and what they want to be, and as an advisor, I strive to be the person students can trust to give them guidance. As an advisor, I encourage students to ask questions, both academic and non-academic. I provide the tools and resources students need to make informed decisions and help them take accountability for their education. I uplift students by highlighting their achievements remind them to have confidence in themselves. Above all, I want to be part of a student’s foundation to helping them reach their personal and academic goals."
- Student Division Advising
Please direct general advising questions to colastudiv@austin.utexas.edu
Stephanie Quinn, Assistant Director for Student Division Advising
Othell Ballage, Academic Advising Coordinator
Matthew Householder, Senior Administrative Associate
James Beard, Senior Academic Advisor: "As advisors in higher education, we are given the privilege of contributing in our humble way to the successes of some advisees, mitigating the setbacks of others, and guiding all through their challenges towards their academic and professional goals. My personal approach to effective advising is grounded in empathy, respect, and an emphasis on empowerment. Advisors get to play the role of helper and guide in students’ stories, and it is both an honor and a great responsibility to play this role. I am committed to earning students’ trust, and to always striving to merit their continued trust, through conscientious, informed, and empathetic advising."
Lee Gardner-Warrenfells, Senior Academic Advisor: "My advising philosophy is to create an environment that promotes a reciprocal exchange between advisor and student with integrity. My aim is to foster conversations that promote trust, student accountability, and transparency, while upholding university/college policies. I believe in empowering students to be active participants in their college career by helping them steer their academic careers to reach their career goals, by guiding them to utilize the tools and resources available to them. I am a solutions-focused advisor, helping students overcome obstacles they may face including, but not limited to, academic, social, emotional, medical, and administrative issues. I value the importance of being a caring, respectful, and empathetic advocate for the students we see at such a large university."
Steve Hall, Senior Academic Advisor: "I view academic advising as a partnership between advisor and advisee to assist and support in developing a plan that will allow for visualization and attainment of academic and career goals. An advisor can be effective, and every student can learn. It is my task to cultivate the minds of every student I encounter. I will model the behavior, values, and skills students need to successfully complete their academic journey and function in the world. Advisors are responsible to the individuals they advise, to their institutions, to higher education, to their educational community, and accountable for involving others in the advising process, when appropriate, and for their professional and personal practices."
Lisa Merritt, Senior Academic Advisor: "Academic advisors are in a position of trust with students that goes beyond academic concerns and supports them in their personal development. My goal is always to meet students where they are, recognize their individual strengths, weaknesses, interests, and concerns, and support them as they navigate not just UT, but also the wider world. Part of my job as an advisor is to help students explore the breadth of opportunities at UT. Many students come to UT with pre-determined ideas about what they hope to accomplish. While I always aim to support students, sometimes that requires challenging preconceived plans. This is especially vital in working with undeclared students, who often come to our office frustrated by not getting in to their first choice major and need to come to terms with the possibility that their original path might not be possible. I tend to lead with the idea that you don’t know what you don’t know – you can’t try to open doors you don’t know exist. I want to help you find the right door to the best possible path to your future. "
Wendy Pintado, Senior Academic Advisor: "I am the first person in my family to graduate from a college and earn a Masters. Growing up, I had no guidance on how to navigate college and felt isolated from my peers especially those who seemed to have their entire 4 years planned out. I attribute my high level of success to the advisors that I had . . . who supported me throughout every obstacle that I encountered, encouraged me to take charge of my own life and taught me how to advocate for myself. I am an advisor who encourages students to learn how to problem solve, be independent, resourceful and to take accountability for their actions. As an advisor, I strive to be empathetic, non-judgmental but, most importantly transparent with my students. "
Bryan Russell, Senior Academic Advisor: "College is an exciting time to explore and find out who you are and what you’re made of. The shadow side of that, however, is vulnerability. In my role as an advisor, my greatest joy is cheering students on when they make strides in their growth and pursue their goals. My greatest responsibility, however, is handling their vulnerability with care. To that end, while advising practices and administrative policies might change, my approach will always be one that prioritizes a student’s feeling of confidence, competence and care."
Joshua Ybarra, Senior Academic Advisor: "As a first-generation college graduate, I understand the challenges that come with traversing a 4-year university. College is an opportunity for students to explore who they are and what they want to be, and as an advisor, I strive to be the person students can trust to give them guidance. As an advisor, I encourage students to ask questions, both academic and non-academic. I provide the tools and resources students need to make informed decisions and help them take accountability for their education. I uplift students by highlighting their achievements remind them to have confidence in themselves. Above all, I want to be part of a student’s foundation to helping them reach their personal and academic goals."
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Questions? Need Help? Contact Us.
- Liberal Arts Student Division
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