Academic Advising

Aaron Brown, Director of Advising

Aaron Brown has over 14 years of experience working with students in higher education in a variety of roles including academic advisor, small group facilitator, coordinator of tutorial services, and First Year Experience instructor. He is a low-income and first generation college graduate who earned his bachelor's degree in psychology from Eastern Washington University and a master's degree in organizational psychology from Antioch University in Seattle. His background has led him to designing and implementing numerous programs to help low-income students persist and graduate from college. Aaron has also received professional recognition which includes the Student Leadership Excellence Award for Advisors (2012), Washington State TRIO Association Advocacy Award (2011), and Excellence in Quality Service Award (2007).

Cheryl Tillotson, Associate Director of Advising

Cheryl Tillotson has more than 12 years of academic advising experience at UNLV and has been specifically advising students who are exploring majors for nine of those years. She earned both her bachelor’s degree in psychology, with a minor in English, and a master’s degree in educational leadership from UNLV. In 2008, Tillotson was the proud recipient of the UNLV Undergraduate Academic Advisor Award. In her spare time, she likes to watch as much tennis and football as possible, as well as to go shopping and to the movies with her friends.

Oak Vichaikul, Senior Academic Advisor

Oak Vichaikul has been an academic advisor in the Academic Success Center (ASC) at UNLV since 2006 where he primarily works with undeclared students. He earned his bachelor's degree in music at Millikin University and a master's degree in music composition at the University of Iowa. In addition to advising, Vichaikul actively pursues the use of technology in advising to connect with students.

Salvador Mora, Senior Academic Advisor

Salvador Mora has been an academic advisor with the Academic Success Center since April, 2009 working with students exploring majors as freshmen and sophomores. Mora is also an adult-learner concierge, and works with nontraditional students returning to college after having been out of school for at least two years, and adults looking to explore alternate educational opportunities. Mora began working at UNLV in November 2005 at The Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach. He holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and a master’s degree in counseling — both from the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Heather Thomas, Academic Advisor

Heather Thomas is passionate about education, especially transitioning students to higher education, which is why she loves supporting exploring majors in their academic endeavors as an advisor. She earned her B.A. in psychology and M.Ed. in school counseling from UNLV. She is a National Certified Counselor and is committed to continuing her professional and personal development by pursuing a doctorate degree in higher education. However, her greatest challenge is her younger sister who cheers for "that other Nevada university". Go Rebels!

Beth Gersten, Assistant Dean for Undergraduate Programs

Beth Gersten started as an academic advisor at UNLV in the summer of 2010. Prior to that, she worked in orientation and new student programs at Suffolk University and Northeastern University. She earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Duke University in 1996, and a master’s degree in college student personnel from Bowling Green State University in 1999. Gersten is currently pursuing her Ph.D. in higher education administration at UNLV. She enjoys staying active by playing softball and training for triathlons.

Nicole T. Pavlico, M.A., Associate Director

Nicole Pavlico has been with UNLV College of Business since 1999.

Mary (Lee) Martin, Academic Advisor

Mary (Lee) Martin received her bachelor's degree in anthropology from UNLV in 2003, and her master's degree in educational leadership from UNLV in 2005. In 2005, she started as an academic advisor at UNLV in the College of Engineering, and then moved to the College of Business the following year. She is currently pursuing a second master's degree in clinical mental health counseling. She serves on the Student Conduct Hearing Panel and recently nominated as the associate chair of the Academic Advising Council. In her spare time she enjoys hand quilting and spending time with her husband and stepdaughter.

Gene R. Kirschner, Academic Advisor

Gene R. Kirschner has been advising at UNLV in the College of Business since 1998. He graduated from Seattle University in 1964 with a bachelor’s degree in natural science, and earned a master’s degree in economics from UNLV in 1981. After earning his degrees, while still working in private industry, Kirschner was a part-time economics instructor at UNLV for 12 years before joining the College of Business as a full-time advisor. Notable achievements include Peace Corps volunteer teacher in Somalia 1964-66 and the winner of the most outstanding UNLV Master's Thesis for 1980.

Dana Angioni, Academic Advisor

Dana Angioni is originally from Long Island, New York but has been in the Las Vegas area for more than 15 years. She earned her bachelor’s degree in hotel administration and master’s degree in educational leadership from UNLV. Angioni started her career at Chapman University working in residence life and student conduct and then joined the advising team in UNLV’s College of Business in 2009. In her spare time, Angioni enjoys spending time with her husband, Marco and their dog, Bella. She also loves UNLV basketball, traveling, reading and decorating.

Ed Ronca, Assistant Director of Advising & Field Placement

Ed Ronca came to UNLV in 2003 to work as an enrollment counselor in the registrar’s office, and then in 2007, he became an advisor in the College of Education. His experience in the registrar’s office, as well as 33 years experience as a teacher and coach has been very beneficial to the education advising center. Ronca has a bachelor’s degree in elementary education and a master’s degree in developmental reading. He is the chair of the Adult Learning Advisory Board and enjoys fishing, reading, exercising, and watching football and baseball.

Monica Moreno, Academic Advisor

Monica Moreno is originally from Southern California and relocated to Las Vegas in 2007. She joined the UNLV College of Education in May 2007 where she worked as the Office Manager for the Advising Center until becoming an Academic Advisor, herself, in September 2011. Monica earned her Bachelor's Degree in Human Services from UNLV in August 2011 and serves as the Orientation Coordinator for the College of Education. She and her husband, Juan, are currently expecting their first child. In her free time, she enjoys watching soccer, traveling, shopping, and spending time with her family.

Claudia Sitlington, Senior Academic Advisor

Claudia Sitlington moved to Las Vegas from beautiful sunny California in 2005 to pursue her bachelor's degree in film. She accomplished that goal in 2007 and was offered a full-time position at UNLV's registrar's office. She began her advising career with the College of Fine Arts in 2008 and moved to the College of Education in August 2011. She is happily married and has a Puggle named Caesar, who is absolutely adored!. She values her family, especially her Dad and Grandmother who are still in California and her older brother who lives in Tijuana, Mexico.

Jennifer Kennedy, Director of Advising

Jennifer Kennedy has had the pleasure of working for UNLV for four years after working in a civil engineering firm. A Las Vegas transplant since 1992, she holds a bachelor's degree in political science from Pepperdine University. The two real loves of her life however, are working with and for her engineering/computer science students and spending time with her family. She and her husband are the proud parents of an adorable baby boy who is the light of their lives. Their home is also shared by their cat and dog, who allow them access to the sofa (on occasion). She enjoys spending time outdoors, reading, cooking, going to church and visiting with her friends and family. She considers it a privilege to assist the students of UNLV in reaching their personal and scholastic goals.

Ed Thurnbeck, Academic Advisor

Ed Thurnbeck comes to UNLV with a background in civil engineering, specifically hydrology. He received his bachelor's in hydrology from the University of Arizona in 1995. He has been in Las Vegas since 1996 and has since worked on numerous public and private civil engineering projects. He is currently working on his master's in civil engineering. Along with his wife and daughter, he has lived in Las Vegas for over 15 years. He enjoys reading, fishing and fantasy football. He is looking forward to mentoring young engineers and helping them become the engineer they had envisioned when they started college at UNLV.

Chris Parker, Academic Advisor

Chris Parker is a native of Las Vegas and graduated from UNLV with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering in 2008 and obtained his master’s degree in civil engineering in 2011. Additionally, Parker has a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Utah. Prior to becoming an academic advisor for the College of Engineering in October 2011, he spent many years in the construction and civil engineering profession as a project manager designing multiple commercial and residential projects in Las Vegas and surrounding areas. Away from work you can find him training or coaching others for endurance cycling events or marathons. He is also heavily involved in the community with Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation, as a board member, camp counselor and cycling/running coach.

Julie Johnson, Director of Advising

Originally from Boston, Julie Johnson received her bachelor’s degree in English with a concentration in journalism and is completing her master’s degree in English at UNLV. During the last 23 years, she has taught classes in the English department, University College and at the College of Southern Nevada, and was also an athletic academic advisor before joining the College of Fine Arts. Johnson has also spent a few years working at a community college as the interim director of admissions and spent a year as a visiting professor of English at the United States Coast Guard Academy. She lives in Las Vegas with her children and is a die-hard Boston Red Sox fan.

Vaune Kadlubek, Director of Advising

UNLV alumna and current director of the Division of Health Sciences Advising Center ('80 BS Physical Education, '83 MS in Exercise Physiology). Was the first female water polo player to play on a men's high school team. She coached the USA Women's Water Polo Team, played for ten years on the first USA Women's Water Polo Team, and was inducted into the USA Water Polo Hall of Fame in 2004. She enjoys all sports, friends and family outings!

Tony Terrell, Assistant Director of Advising

Tony Terrell grew up in Southern California and came to UNLV as a student athlete in 1998. He earned a bachelor’s degree in social science studies in 2002 and a master’s degree in education in 2007 — both from UNLV. In addition to his advising duties, Terrell teaches a seminar class for kinesiology students and a weight training class. He has served on campus and academic advising commissions and continues to donate his time to the Clark County Sschool District School-Community Partnership Program. He loves to show off his rebel pride as an alumnus and ambassador.

David Dineen, Academic Advisor

David Dineen is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area but relocated to Las Vegas in 2005. He began working at UNLV in 2005 for the Center for Academic Enrichment and Outreach program and in 2011 he transitioned over to academic advising in the Division of Health Sciences Advising Center. He earned his bachelor’s degree from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo and his master’s degree from San Jose State University. Upon finishing his bachelor’s degree, Dineen coached community college basketball in California at three different schools. He also worked in pharmaceuticals prior to coming to UNLV. In his spare time he enjoys following the Rebel basketball program and still enjoys playing basketball as often as possible.

Diona E. Williams, Senior Academic Advisor

Diona Williams came to UNLV from Michigan State University, where she did both her undergraduate and graduate studies. She brings a wealth of knowledge from her diverse educational career experiences in higher education, of which academic advising was one of her many passions. This passion for working with and advising students can be seen as she assists the Division of Health Sciences students as they pursue their educational goals.

Tiffany Schmier, Senior Academic Advisor

Tiffany Schmier has been advising at UNLV since 2005. She attended UNLV and earned a bachelor’s degree in communication studies in 2004 and a master’s degree in education in 2006. She worked for the College of Education Advising Center and then transferred to the Honors College in 2007. She is the chair of the Technology in Advising Commission and serves as a faculty advisor for Honors Student Council. In her spare time she likes to spend time with her children at the park and read craft blogs.

Sherri Theriault, Director of Advising

Sherri Theriault is a native Las Vegan who came to UNLV in 1989. After several years of working in the hospitality industry, working in the William F. Harrah College of Hotel Administration was a natural fit for her. She worked for the dean of the college for ten years then became director of undergraduate advising in 1999. She was the recipient of the Regents' Academic Advisor Award in 2002, served as vice-chair of the UNLV Academic Advising Council and works to promote the importance of undergraduate advising at UNLV. She has a bachelor's in education from UNLV.

Kia Vichaikul, Assistant Director of Advising,

Kia Vichaikul has been advising at UNLV since 2006. She attended Minnesota State University Moorhead where she earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology in 2002, and a master’s degree in counseling and student affairs in 2006. She is active in the advising community at UNLV, and enjoys her role as the program coordinator on the Academic Advising Leadership Team. Vichaikul likes to travel to new places and in her free time she enjoys taking her dog to the park.

Lisa Annebro, Academic Advisor

Lisa Annebro has been advising at UNLV in the Hotel College since 2008. She attended UNLV and earned a bachelor’s degree in hotel administration in 1998 and a master’s degree in French in 2002.

Amanda Lange, Academic Advisor

Amanda Lange began working at UNLV in the Admission and Registrar's Office in 2001 — the same year she began her undergraduate program. She held positions of increasing responsibility within this area until she moved to advising in the Hotel College in 2008. Lange finished her undergraduate degree at UNLV in 2006, earning a bachelor’s degree in university studies with an emphasis in education and anthropology. She is currently pursuing an advanced degree in education. She enjoys spending time with her husband and son, especially at Rebel football and basketball games.

Alan Hott, Senior Academic Advisor

A native of Peoria, IL, Alan Hott moved to Las Vegas in 2007. He most recently served as an athletic academic advisor at UNLV before moving to the College of Hotel Administration in 2011. He received his B.A. in Communication from Millikin University in 2004, and a M.S. in Sport Management from Northern Illinois University in 2006. He is a die-hard Chicago Cubs fan, and is also an active tennis player in the USTA Southern Nevada region. Hott and his wife Ashlee love going to concerts on the strip, as well as spending time with their two Jack Russell Terriers.

Christina Zboril, Senior Academic Advisor

Christina Zboril earned her bachelor’s degree in communication studies in 2007 and her master’s degree in educational leadership, Higher Education Administration in 2008 — both from UNLV. She has experience with financial aid and began working as an academic advisor in the College of Sciences in January 2009 until she moved to the Hotel College in 2012.

Antonio Villegas, Academic Advisor

Antonio Villegas is originally from the “Heart of the South Bay” California and relocated to Las Vegas in 2004 to pursue a bachelor’s degree at UNLV. He worked at the UNLV Writing Center as a writing consultant and at the registrar’s and admissions office as a peer advisor. In 2009, he received his Bachelor of Arts in Theatre Studies with a minor in Entertainment Management. Soon after, Villegas joined the Enrollment Services Center as an enrollment services representative/residency evaluator. In early 2012, he joined the Office for Student Advising in the Hotel College as an advisor and is excited to begin pursuing his master’s degree in 2012.

Lea Sexton, Director of Advising

Lea Sexton is the founding director of the Wilson Advising Center, which opened in January of 1997. Before returning to the College of Liberal Arts in 1996 to start the Wilson Advising Center, Sexton was an academic advisor in the Department of Athletics at UNLV for six years. She received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in English from UNLV, where she taught as a graduate assistant and part-time instructor from 1986 to 1992.

Sexton received the first Regents’ Academic Advising Award in 1999 as well as the CSUN Professional Staff Member of the Year Award in 1999. In 2000, she was the President’s Professional Staff Member of the Year. She is a member of the UNLV Commencement Committee and a board member for PHI KAPPA PHI National Honor Society, Chapter 100.

Carolyn Hensley, Associate Director of Advising

Carolyn Hensley joined the Wilson Advising Center staff in fall, 1999. She was born and raised in Washington, D.C. and moved to Las Vegas with her family in the summer of 1979. She earned a bachelor’s degree in English from UNLV in 1986, and a master’s degree in English in 1989. While studying for her master's degree, she was awarded a teaching assistantship, and after completing the graduate program, taught in the English department as a part-time instructor. She then became a full-time faculty member as a lecturer, teaching English composition, world literature and African-American literature. Hensley was awarded the Regents' Academic Advisor Award in 2009.

Tracy Johnson, Senior Academic Advisor

Tracy is originally from Anaheim Hills, Calif., and moved to Las Vegas at the age of 11. She spent a year at the University of San Francisco in California, majoring in psychology. She came back to Las Vegas in 1999 and finished her bachelor's in interdisciplinary social science studies from UNLV in 2003. She started at the Wilson Advising Center in May 2003 as a student worker and has been an academic advisor since graduating in August 2003. In 2011, Tracy completed her master's in psychology. She is part of the Technology Commission and the Advising Assessment Commission, which conducted UNLV's first survey on students' perceptions of academic advising. Tracy enjoys traveling (she's been to Italy, Poland, Israel, France, Germany, Austria, Mexico, and the Netherlands) and plans to continue her travels in the states and abroad.

Valarie Morgan, Senior Academic Advisor

Valarie Morgan is originally from Larchmont, NY and relocated to Las Vegas in 2002. She began her studies at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield, CT and completed her bachelor’s degree in psychology with a minor in sociology at UNLV in 2004. In 2009, she obtained her master s degree in educational leadership at UNLV and is now currently pursuing a PhD in sociology. She has been an academic advisor for the College of Liberal Arts since 2006. Morgan is the chair of the Rebel Voice Commission, which conducts focus groups and created the first Student Academic Advisory Board.

Derek Sommer, Senior Academic Advisor

Derek Sommer is a lifelong resident of Las Vegas. He attended a local high school before pursuing an undergraduate degree in English, with an emphasis in creative writing. He also completed his master’s degree in secondary education at UNLV. Sommer is active in the community and very passionate about the Runnin’ Rebels.

Janet Reiber, Director of Advising

Janet Reiber has been the director of advising for the UNLV College of Sciences since 2002. She graduated from George Mason University in 1989 with a bachelor’s degree in biology, and from UNLV in 1997 with a master’s degree in science. Her personal interests are her husband Carl and daughter Dallas, reading, trailer camping, stained glass, beading, and her four little Papillons.

Jeff Peters, Academic Advisor

Jeff Peters has been an academic advisor for the UNLV College of Sciences since March 2012. He grew up in Cleveland, Ohio and has lived in Las Vegas for the last five years. He graduated from UNLV in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in history. He has been married for 12 years, and has four children ages 10, 8, 6, and 1. His personal interests are spending time with his wife and kids, and watching as much sports as he can.

Dave Belt, Academic Advisor

Dave Belt grew up in Salt Lake City, Utah and is the second oldest of 5. When he was 18, he moved to Cedar City, Utah where he eventually earned his Bachelors of Arts degree in Sociology & Criminal Justice from Southern Utah University in 2004. He spent a year working and then decided he belonged back in school. He moved to Las Vegas in 2005 to attend UNLV. Belt finished his master's degree in higher education leadership from UNLV in 2009. His capstone project focused on students with learning disabilities. He started academic advising with the College of Sciences in 2012. He brings five years of financial aid counseling experience to the College of Sciences advising team. He enjoys traveling, attending sporting events, reading (favorite book of all time; Les miserables), video games, and most recently mountain biking.

Miriam Frankel, Academic Advisor

Miriam Frankel grew up in Columbus, Ohio and is the third of four siblings. She graduated from Bowling Green State University in 2008 with a bachelor’s degree in Communications. After graduating, she working in the automobile insurance industry for a few years before returning to school to complete a Master's in Education from Kent State University in 2012. As a graduate student, she worked with Exploring students for two years. She has been an academic advisor in the College of Sciences since April 2012. She loves the weather in Las Vegas and appreciates being able to spend time outdoors year-round. In her spare time, she enjoys going to concerts, hiking, painting, reading, bicycling, impromptu road trips to California, and scrap-booking.

Adrian Castrejon, Academic Advisor

Adrian Castrejon received his bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from UNLV in 2004 and his master's degree in the same field in May of 2006. Castrejon currently serves on the Faculty Senate Public Safety Advisory Board and is also the curriculum coordinator supervisor for the Greenspun College of Urban Affairs Advising Center. He has served in the U.S. Navy for four years prior to coming to UNLV.

Eric Lee, UNLV Transition Advisor

Eric Lee was hired as an academic advisor by the College of Fine Arts in June 2011. Lee is originally from Chicago, Ill. Eric began his career at UNLV as a medical office assistant in the UNLV Dental School and later joined the Graduate College in 2002. He holds a bachelor's degree in psychology from the University of Iowa, a master's in curriculum and instruction from UNLV, and is currently pursuing a masters degree in community mental health counseling at UNLV.

Janet Hollinger, UNLV Transition Advisor

Janet Hollinger has been in the College of Sciences since 2003, advising there since 2005. She has a bachelor’s degree in biology from UNLV, with a concentration in integrative and organismal biology. She is a member of the Rebel Voice commission, part of the Advising Council of UNLV and is in charge of both the high school and middle school components of the Nevada Regional Science Bowl for UNLV. She has a daughter currently attending CSN and UNLV, majoring in biology and has another daughter at Hamline University in Minn., majoring in pre-law.

Allison McSwain, Admissions and Financial Aid Counselor

Allison McSwain has been an Admissions and Financial Aid Counselor at UNLV since September 2012. Prior to that, she served as a graduate assistant in UNLV’s Academic Success Center, working with first-year students transitioning to college. Hailing from South Carolina, Allison holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Furman University, a master’s in accountancy from Western Carolina University, and a master’s of music in trumpet performance from UNLV. She is currently pursuing a DMA in trumpet performance at UNLV.

Carlee Todd, Admissions and Financial Aid Counselor

Carlee Todd was hired as an Admissions Counselor by the Office of Admissions in July 2010. She holds a bachelor’s degree in mass communication and a minor in psychology from the University of Utah. Carlee was a member of the University of Utah NCAA Volleyball team and served on the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee. She earned a master’s degree in counseling with a school counseling emphasis in 2010. She earned an additional role as a Financial Aid Counselor in 2012. Carlee serves as a liaison to the UNLV Nontraditional Student Committee and the UNLV Faculty Senate Admissions Committee.

Gayle Juneau, Executive Director of Advising

Gayle Juneau grew up in Louisiana and lived in Florida for 10 years prior to moving to Las Vegas in 2006. Juneau possesses 14 years of experience in higher education in the areas of recruitment, admissions, academic advising, and developing retention-based programming for student services. Her doctoral degree is in diversity studies and her interests in this realm include authoring social responsibility, desegregation of public school systems in the southern United States, and writing anti-hegemonic standpoints about race, class, and gender issues. In addition, she is a part-time instructor in the Department of Women’s Studies. Juneau is involved with mentoring disadvantaged children in Southern Nevada, St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, and is a diversity educator for the environmental education certification program sponsored by the UNLV Public Lands Institute.

Tricia Lozano, Academic Advising Administration Coordinator

Tricia Lozano has worked at UNLV since 2008 in the Office of the Executive Director of Academic Advising and is currently the Academic Advising Coordinator. She oversees the UNLV Sophomore Programming Commission, serves on the campus’ Technology and Academic Advising Commission, the Advising and Career Development Commission and the Academic Advising Council Leadership Team. Lozano was born and raised in Las Vegas, NV where she completed her undergraduate degree and her master’s degree in higher education leadership at UNLV.