Our people

Meet our advisers! To find out who your adviser is, schedule an appointment online or call the front desk. 

Joslin Boroughs

Director of Advising Initiatives and Partnerships

Email: joslinb@uw.edu
Schedule an appointment

I began my undergraduate degree at UC Santa Barbara completely undecided about what I wanted to study. Eventually I settled on Sociology and later, after work and volunteer experience, I went on to pursue my Master’s in Public Administration here at the UW. I have been working to support students’ educational aspirations and dreams since 2006. I didn’t always know that I wanted to be an adviser, but through my education and experiences I found a love for supporting people as they navigate college and make meaning of their education. I look forward to working with you as you explore your own interests and curiosities and gain important experiences that will help you achieve your goals and become the person you want to be.

Dan Feetham

Executive Director of Advising Curriculum and Policy

Email: dfeetham@uw.edu
Schedule an appointment

I graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in Economics and a minor in Geography. Both were disciplines I settled on shortly after taking introductory courses in each area and finding the subjects fascinating. I was also fortunate enough to participate in a CHID focus group entitled Rethinking the University which examined higher education through the eyes of the undergraduate participants. It was this experience that changed how I viewed higher education and started me on the path toward advising.

Despite thoroughly enjoying my work as an undergraduate I ran off and got a law degree after graduation seeking a steady paycheck. The legal profession didn’t stick and after bouncing around various jobs I had the good fortune of working at the University of Pennsylvania in their College House System. This rekindled my desire to work with students helping them find meaning in their undergraduate studies—something I have the good fortune of doing on a daily basis back at UW.

Malika Garoui

Assistant Director

Email: malikag@uw.edu
Schedule an appointment

I began my time at the University of Washington unsure of what I wanted to study so I explored engineering and health sciences, but quickly realized that I wasn’t interested in physical sciences. Math had always made sense to me, so I pursued math education. Then senior year I was exposed to economics, and was thrilled by the possibility of using math as a tool to solve complex social problems. I graduated with degrees in math, economics, and a minor in education. I later attended the University of British Columbia for graduate school where I focused on economics of public goods and policy evaluation. While working in litigation consulting,  I was consistently reflecting on my involvement across campus and was drawn back to support students navigate and define their own undergraduate experiences. Through meaningful connections, I strive to empower students with the tools and resources to maximize their potential at the University of Washington, given various constraints that they face (time, policies, finances, etc.). I am thrilled to work with you as you craft your own Husky Experience and can’t wait to meet you!

Sarah Hemmett

Academic Adviser

Email: shemmett@uw.edu
Schedule an appointment

I grew up in Poulsbo, WA, with the exception of a few years in southern Spain, and I received my Bachelor of Arts from UW. I started college thinking I wanted to major in engineering, but after taking a few prerequisites, I realized it was not the right path for me. I found myself really enjoying social science courses, which led me to major in geography and minor in global health. Outside of the classroom, I had the opportunity to be both an orientation leader and a peer adviser. These experiences helped me to discover that I am passionate about connecting with and supporting students and ensuring they feel seen, heard, known, and valued. I spent my first few years out of undergrad working with students in different capacities, and those experiences ultimately led me back here to UAA Advising.

I’m so excited to be here, to get to know you, and to support you as you navigate your time at UW, explore your passions and interests, and grow into more of the person you want to become!

Christina Kerr

Lead Academic Adviser

Email: ckerr@uw.edu
Schedule an appointment

As an undergraduate I studied at the University of Vermont and discovered that I really enjoyed a few of the political science I took in my sophmore year. I enjoyed looking at different perspectives on local and world events and developing my own informed understanding along with writing research papers. I eventually decide on that for my major and as you can see, I now have a career that is largely unrelated to the study of politics. However, the skills I learned in college still translate and helped me along the way to a job I love.

Lauren Marriott

Lead Academic Adviser

Email: marrilau@uw.edu
Schedule an appointment

When I was a first year undergraduate at the UW, I thought I was going to triple major in Psychology, Journalism, and Theater and that I would become a reporter at The Seattle Times. Only problem was, once I started taking classes toward my intended major, I felt miserable because what I thought was going to be a great fit turned out not to be right for me.  After reflecting and chatting with trusted advisers, I realized I had all these reasons why I was avoiding internships related to my original major and career ideas, and that I chose over and over to take positions volunteering and working with college students.  I chose to read, write, and think about higher education, and I loved it.

I earned a B.A. in Communication and discovered along the way how my education was leading me to study how schools like the UW work and serve students.  Fast forward, and after earning my Master’s in Education at the University of Texas at Austin, I am back at the UW doing what I love- helping students navigate higher education, be successful, and forge their path toward meaningful learning, work, and fulfillment.  I look forward to working with you as you explore your own interests, and discover your direction and potential. 

Kyla Mayer

Associate Director

Email: kylaek@uw.edu
Schedule an appointment

I first arrived at Oregon State University unsure of what I wanted to major in, but confident that I enjoyed learning about people, human rights issues, and education. Knowing that I needed to explore before settling on a major, I registered for classes my first few quarters that would help me explore these interest areas from different angles and expose me to new ways of thinking. It was through this exploration that I discovered my major, Human Development and Family Sciences, and my minors, Sociology and Business. Throughout the rest of my time at OSU, I make an effort to engage in learning, both in and out of the classroom, that would challenge my thinking, prompt reflection, and allow me to connect with my community. My campus engagement led to a passion working with college students and eventually a Master’s Degree in Education. I am excited to work with you as you make choices about your educational career and navigate your Husky Experience.

 

Tim McCoy

Lead Academic Adviser

Email: mccoytj@uw.edu
Schedule an appointment

Having thoroughly enjoyed my two anthropology courses at Whatcom Community College, I chose to major in anthropology when I transferred to Iowa State University. Still interested in Anthropology, I earned a Master of Arts degree in anthropology at Western Washington University, focusing on Ethnohistory and Native American Studies. That there are so many ways of life and types of knowledge, experience and perspective are insights I draw upon every day as an academic adviser. After several years I returned to school. My doctoral dissertation, in the UW College of Education, focused on how staff, from a variety of educational institutions, approach this multifaceted business of undergraduate academic advising.

Being a first-generation college student, things did not come easy for me. I took advantage of the resources available to me and worked hard to become a good student. I still struggle with asking for help. I challenge you to be better at that than I am!

I encourage you to be patient with yourself. Learning who we are and what we want is a process. Along with other advisers, faculty and staff, I'm here to help you get settled, figure out the system and get the most out of your experience at the University of Washington!

Donna Netz

Lead Academic Adviser

Email: dnetz@uw.edu
Schedule an appointment

I started my college life as an international and first-generation college student at a small community college in Idaho. Despite tons of excited preparation, I still found myself sitting in the wrong classroom on my very first day. My undergraduate experience continued at Western Washington University and was a series of mistakes, lessons learned, friends, adventures, explorations and challenges. At Western, I focused on Special Education, Elementary Education and Psychology, but it was through my work as a Resident Adviser in the residence halls, that I discovered my vocation for working with college students. I spent several years as a special education teacher and got my Master’s degree in Education, but was ultimately drawn back to college students through professional advising. I have been working in advising since 2002 and have never looked back!

A&O 2024 follow up?  Use your UW email when you click hereTrouble with UW email? Get help here.

Lily Peterson

Lead Academic Adviser

Email: lilyp2@uw.edu
Schedule an appointment

I grew up in the Seattle area and did my undergraduate studies here at UW. When I first started college, I thought I wanted a future in lab work and disease research. However, the experiences of getting to take exploratory social science classes as part of my degree, along with getting involved with incredible communities and work opportunities at UW, led me to discover a passion for student support, diversity and equity advocacy, and higher education. I eventually graduated with degrees in Education and Global Health.

I didn’t always know I wanted to be an adviser, but my own identities and background led me to care deeply about access to and support through higher education for all students. This passion for education equity brought me first to a general advising role with UAA, and now to my current role as the Seattle Promise Path to UW Adviser in partnership with the Seattle Colleges. I know support for everyone looks different, and whether you are a freshmen or a prospective transfer student from a Seattle College just starting your UW journey, or are anywhere else along your college path, I am excited to walk alongside you as you make meaning of your undergraduate experience, discover your passions, and step into your potential.

Path to UW
Current Seattle Promise students, please book appointments through Starfish, or reach out to path2uw@uw.edu for support.

Gina Pieracci

Lead Academic Adviser

Email: rlp28@uw.edu
Schedule an appointment

I started out at Oregon State University wanting to go into physics or engineering because I was good at it in high school and thought it was a good path for me. After a couple of terms in college, I quickly realized that was not how I wanted to spend my time. I jumped around to business and writing, ultimately landing in sociology because it was the subject I was most excited about learning. When I was trying to figure out what to do with my sociology degree, I started tutoring the subject to student-athletes on campus. I learned that I loved connecting with students about what they were learning and wanted to continue doing this kind of work. I got my master’s in Education and became an academic adviser. I’m so excited to work with you as you explore the University of Washington and your own educational experience!

Alex Plant

Lead Academic Adviser

Email: ajplant6@uw.edu
Schedule an appointment

My academic journey started at the University of Puget Sound where (thanks to careful academic planning) I pursued a triple major in History, American Politics & Government, and Classical Languages. Following my dream of becoming a professor of history, I continued directly into graduate school at the University of Chicago where I completed a Master of Arts degree in the Social Sciences. During my time as a student, I discovered my true path had less to do with research or educating in the classroom but was instead finding ways to support students in their own academic journeys as an adviser and mentor. My goal is to be a navigator who is here to help you connect with the programs and opportunities on campus that will help you discover and explore your own interests, skills, and goals. After five years working in academic advising at Western Washington University, I am excited to be a part of the UAA Advising team and to have the opportunity to help you all carve your own path at UW!

Michael Rich

Academic Adviser

Email: mrich87@uw.edu
Schedule an appointment

I grew up in Washington’s San Juan islands and received my Bachelor of Arts degree from Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon. I had always been interested in history, political science, and other parts of the world so I decided to major in International Relations. In my senior year I studied abroad in Bangalore, India, which was a transformative experience. I thoroughly enjoyed my major but struggled with what career path to take and considered working in international business, government, or criminal justice. After college, I worked in professional sales for a few years and realized I didn’t love the corporate business world, but I did love public service and helping people achieve their goals. The UW was the perfect place to do this, and I worked for several years as a staff member in the department of French & Italian Studies on course planning, communications and curriculum coordination.

I strongly believe that a college education should be available to all, not only as a means to get a degree and a job but to gain a breadth of knowledge to improve yourself and society as a whole. As an academic adviser I am here to support you as you navigate your first years at UW and pursue your academic, professional, and personal goals!

Jim Scott

Lead Academic Adviser

Email: jimscott@uw.edu
Schedule an appointment

I studied Zoology and Genetics as an undergraduate student at Oregon State University. I went immediately into a graduate program and earned a Master’s degree in Radiation Biology. I wasn’t exactly sure what I wanted to do with my life at this point, but thought it might be worthwhile to actually be employed, so I took a year-long program through the Veteran’s Hospital in Portland, OR and received my certification as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist.  I worked in that capacity for a bit, and when my wife returned to school, I took a position as a research assistant in a biochemistry lab investigating the circular-dichroism properties of proteins (no nuclear medicine jobs were open in the area).  Based upon my background, I took the next logical step, went back to school, and earned a PhD in Horticulture.  I taught introductory chemistry, biology and biochemistry at two colleges in western New York State, did a one year stint as a high school biology teacher in Buffalo, NY, and taught at a few colleges in the Seattle area.  I have been an academic adviser for almost 15 years.

Jon Solomon

Academic Adviser

Email: solomonj@uw.edu
Schedule an appointment

I grew up in Mukilteo, WA and am a product of the Washington state public education system—in fact, I received my B.A. in Communication from the UW, with the intention to go into a career in higher education.

Over my time as an undergraduate I was fortunate to participate in lots of different kinds of involvement- with student government and RSOs, with jobs and volunteer opportunities, and with peer groups in classes and different spaces on campus like the Samuel E. Kelly Ethnic Cultural Center. These many different involvements and interactions with so many different people helped me understand how varied and diverse student experiences can be at UW and have helped bolster my interest and passion in meeting students where they are at, learning where they want to be, and helping them develop pathways to get there.

I'm excited to learn more about you and work together on your experiences here at the University of Washington!

Sylvie Shiosaki

Academic Adviser

Email: shshio2@uw.edu
Schedule an appointment

I grew up in a small rural community and found a world of opportunities as a student at the University of Washington. I began my studies with no clear plan, but lots of ideas for things I wanted to explore. I randomly took a geography class, enjoyed it, took another and later graduated with a degree in Geography, and minors in Education, Learning & Society, and International Studies. My hands-on learning experiences at the UW, particularly with the Dream Project, deeply influenced me to pursue a career in undergraduate admissions and college access. Working with prospective transfer students sparked my interest in advising and lead me to my current role. I strive to be a resource and empower students as they navigate their college journeys. I am excited to work with you and support you in making the most of your UW experience!

Laura Valenzuela

Academic Adviser

Email: laurav11@uw.edu
Schedule an appointment

I am a first-generation college student from Quincy, WA. I transferred from Big Bend Community College to UW after receiving my AA and graduated from UW with a major in Sociology, and a minor in Education, Learning, & Society. I have continued working at UW to support students with their college journey.

During my time as an undergraduate, I participated in various programs that helped my experience at UW be so memorable. I worked as a student ambassador with the Multicultural Outreach & Recruitment (MOR) office, I was also an advising intern for the TRIO-SSS program at UW which helped me learn skills to become an academic advisor in the future. After graduating the University of Washington, I continued to work with the MOR program as a Transfer Admissions Counselor. In this role, I was able to support students from first generation, underrepresented and underserved communities to have a higher chance to further their education. I enjoyed supporting students with their next steps in education and I still wanted to continue supporting them through their time at UW. That is what led me to this position, being an academic advisor with Path to UW with UAA. I will continue to help transfer students while also supporting current UW students with their educational journey at UW.

I look forward to meeting and connecting with future and current Huskies! :)

Kurt Xyst

Lead Academic Adviser

Email: kxy@uw.edu
Schedule an appointment

My undergraduate experience at the University of New Mexico was similar to the experience of most students at UW. I tried lots of things and changed my intended major a few times - from architecture to business to philosophy. Turns out I liked the idea of architecture more than the study of it (still do), I found business boring, and the ancient Greeks are fascinating. Who knew? After college I came to Seattle and did my graduate work in the UW College of Education emphasizing philosophy of education. My current teaching and research deals with questions of meaning, purpose, and value in undergraduate education.


Just completed orientation? This is for you.

Leilani Lingat Batac

Operation Coordinator

Email: lbatac@uw.edu

Neurodivergent Filipino here! I was born and raised in the Southend of Seattle and received my Bachelor of Arts from the University of Washington. I entered my undergrad intending to major in Social Welfare, but after exploring other social science classes, I found myself seamlessly taking another path that I loved walking down. This led me to major in Education, Communities and Organizations (ECO) with a minor in Diversity. As a student, I had the opportunity to be a Student Associate in the undergraduate advising office, peer adviser in multiple, and pile on many other roles in and outside the university. These experiences helped build my passion for supporting (directly and indirectly) and working alongside folks maneuvering around complex and unjust systems in ways that work best for every individual at all levels.

Together, we will recognize and disrupt these normative systems that have been upheld; we will embrace and nurture each other's uniqueness and needs grounded on interdependence, learning, understanding, and love.

 

Peer Advisers

Our student staff are junior and senior UW students who receive extensive, ongoing training from professional advisers and generally have one to two years of experience working with students as an orientation leader, resident adviser, or peer adviser.

If you have questions, please contact Alex Plant at ajplant6@uw.edu.