A&S Academic Advisors
Each A&S Department / Program has at least one advisor available to help you understand your chosen degree program and make sure you're on track to complete your degree in a timeline that works for you. Advisors are listed under their respective departments / programs, and you can always check what department / program administers your major, minor, or certificate if you're not sure.
Learn more about our advisors below, including the majors and minors they oversee.
Just looking for an email address? Advising Emails ⇒
Guinevere Beard
she / her / hers
Senior Academic Advisor
Email/s
Location: Logan Hall (Bldg 34), North Lobby (waiting area for appointments)
Advising Philosophy
Majors/Minors Advised
Advising Philosophy
Majors/Minors Advised
Tyler Clayshulte
Senior Academic Advisor
Email/s
Location: Castetter Hall (Bldg 21), Suite 63 (Basement Level)
Advising Philosophy
Majors/Minors Advised
Amanda Cook
she / her
Senior Academic Advisor
Email/s
Location: SMLC (Science & Mathematics Learning Center, Bldg 14), Suite 169
Advising Philosophy
Majors/Minors Advised
Advising Philosophy
Majors/Minors Advised
Advising Philosophy
My personal advising strategy is built from care and respect that I have for people trying to make change. I believe that people, especially those who are trying to invest in themselves, deserve all the information in the resources they choose to utilize. I want to help students get to a destination in their professional lives that meets their vision of success. My commitment to transparency and honesty is what motivates me to provide a service that creates a smooth process so a student can make the most of the time they are going to spend in college. I believe an inclusive environment helps my students speak openly, which allows me to evaluate their needs. I am here to equip you with the information you need to make the best decision for whatever path you choose.
Majors/Minors Advised
Denise Garcia
Senior Academic Advisor
Email/s
Location: UAEC (University Advisement and Enrichment Center, Bldg 85), Suite 135
Advising Philosophy
This academic journey is yours, I am here to be your guide, navigator, advocate, and a member of your support system. I want each of my students to leave my sessions feeling confident and inspired to work hard in order to achieve their goals. I will use all of my abilities and resources to set my students up for success. I want my students to know that there is never a stupid question, you CAN do this, everyone needs help sometimes and I am here for you. A successful advising session and ideal advising relationship incorporates the following: open and honest conversation, collaboration on aspirations, a realistic action plan, and above all, creating a trusting environment. Let’s get you across that graduation stage! Go Lobos!
Majors/Minors Advised
Advising Philosophy
Majors/Minors Advised
Advising Philosophy
Majors/Minors Advised
Kristian Macaron
she / her / hers / ella
Senior Academic Advisor
Email/s
Location: Castetter Hall (Bldg 21), Basement Level
Advising Philosophy
Asking questions and challenging ourselves to look at interdisciplinary connections of what we learn is key to developing confidence and ownership in how we use the knowledge we gather. My advisement philosophy is to be a guide to you and empower you as you navigate the university system. I am here to help you explore what you want to learn and develop goals for your success and your future.
Majors/Minors Advised
Karen Majors
Senior Academic Advisor
Email/s
Location: UAEC (University Advisement and Enrichment Center, Bldg 85), Suite 135
Advising Philosophy
Majors/Minors Advised
Catherine Montoya
Asdzáán / she / her / hers
Student Success Specialist, Sr.
Email/s
Location: Mesa Vista Hall (Bldg 56), Suite 3077 (3rd Floor)
Advising Philosophy
Majors/Minors Advised
Advising Philosophy
I believe advising is about collaboration. Through grown trust, effective guidance and knowledgeable communication, each student who walks through my door will know I am on their team. The partnership between student and advisor is pivotal to making the UNM experience worthwhile for students. I strive to enhance that experience through each session as an advisor. Working toward graduation can be difficult at times, which is why I don’t take the responsibility of supporting students lightly.
Pre-Law and Law School Admissions Advisor
When it comes to law school admissions and Pre-Law advisement, I want to help all Lobos make their dreams of being admitted and graduating from a law school come true. Whether you are a branch student in Gallup, Los Alamos, Taos and Valencia or a main campus undergraduate or graduate student, I want to help you on your path to applying to law school. I know how special UNM graduates are when it comes to law school recruitment, and I want to help maximize that with scholarship offers. This can, hopefully, lead to more UNM graduates graduating from law schools around the country as close to zero debt as they can.
Majors/Minors Advised
Kelly Neuschwanger
she / her / hers
Senior Academic Advisor
Email/s
Location: Humanities (Bldg 81), Suite 259
Advising Philosophy
Advising is working closely with students, getting to know them individually, listening to their personal needs, and being part of their academic journey. I am here to work as a team member with students to navigate UNM’s system, find the best major for them, and reach their full potential.
A&S Advising liaison for the Office of Career Services
Majors/Minors Advised
Advising Philosophy
Majors/Minors Advised
Debra Nieto
she / her
Senior Academic Advisor
Email/s
Location: Logan Hall (Bldg 34), North Lobby (waiting area for appointments)
Advising Philosophy
Majors/Minors Advised
Advising Philosophy
My main goal as an academic advisor is to help students tackle the institutional barriers that exist within higher education. College can be overwhelming for some students, especially for those who are the first in their family to attend. As a first generation student myself, I know firsthand how daunting it can be. Between registering for classes, figuring out financial aid, studying for final exams, etc., it is extremely easy to become dissuaded. This is why I will make it my duty to alleviate any stress I can by providing the utmost attention to any and all students who meet with me.
Because college is a unique experience for each student, every individual comes with a different set of needs depending on their particular set of circumstances. It is my job to recognize these differences for each student and to also develop a plan for them based on those specific needs. I will do my best to find both on campus and off campus resources for students, ensuring that if I’m not able to help with something, somebody else will.
All in all, I long to provide a safe space for students to come and seek help. Whether it be an academic concern or a logistics issue, I hope students are able to find solace through my advising techniques and strategies.
Majors/Minors Advised
Maggie Sumruld
she / her / hers
Senior Academic Advisor
Email/s
Location: Social Sciences (Bldg 78), Suite 1103 (waiting area for appointments)
Advising Philosophy
Majors/Minors Advised
Advising Philosophy
“It’s never too late to be what you might have been.” --Mary Ann Evans