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)

Guinevere Beard

Advising Philosophy

An academic advisor should strive to equip students with the information and resources they need to make the best decision for their unique situation in order to maximize their college experience. I believe the role of the advisor is critical and that each student comes to me as a unique individual with a variety of needs. I strive to be a person who will uplift, motivate, encourage, and celebrate students, while holding them accountable and providing a new perspective for them to consider. In order for any exchange to be productive, I also must ensure that the environment is open, inclusive, and inviting for students so they feel comfortable sharing information with me.

Read more about Guinevere

Majors/Minors Advised

Advising Philosophy

As an advisor, I am here to assist each and every student to reach their goals in a manner that best fits them. The best advising comes through honest, trusting and open conversation. I am here to help you make your years at UNM successful and fun. I want to be able to send my students off with the tools they need to feel successful in the years after UNM.

Read more about Maddy

Majors/Minors Advised

Tyler  Clayshulte

Senior Academic Advisor

Email/s

Location:  Castetter Hall (Bldg 21), Suite 63 (Basement Level)

Tyler Clayshulte

Advising Philosophy

As an academic advisor, I find that the most important aspect is to serve as a mentor to students. College is a stressful time and I want to provide all of the necessary resources and information to ensure that students are successful in their studies. I want nothing more than to see students exceed their own expectations and set goals for their futures. My office is always a safe space for students to express their concerns and my goal is to make sure they leave feeling better than when they came in.

Read more about Tyler

Majors/Minors Advised

Amanda  Cook

she / her

Senior Academic Advisor

Email/s

Location:  SMLC (Science & Mathematics Learning Center, Bldg 14), Suite 169

Amanda Cook

Advising Philosophy

I believe in a holistic, student-centered approach to advisement. Advising is a conversation and no two conversations are the same. Successful advisement focuses on students and their individual needs as well as teaching students to advocate for themselves. I advise, you decide!

Read more about Amanda

Majors/Minors Advised

Lili  Dai

Senior Academic Advisor

Email/s

Location:  Castetter Hall (Bldg 21), Basement Level

Lili Dai

Advising Philosophy

As an academic advisor, it is my goal to support students achieve their educational goals. I want to provide information so student can properly connect to and utilize the resources to promote their studies. College learning can be challenging, and I am more than willing to provide a safe and supportive environment to help students navigate through their college journey.

Read more about Lili

Majors/Minors Advised

Kayla  Dubrule

Academic Advisor

Email/s

Location:  Economics (Bldg 57)

Kayla Dubrule

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.

Read more about Kayla

Majors/Minors Advised

Denise  Garcia

Senior Academic Advisor

Email/s

Location:  UAEC (University Advisement and Enrichment Center, Bldg 85), Suite 135

Denise Garcia

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!

Read more about Denise

Majors/Minors Advised

Erica  Henderson

she / her

Senior Academic Advisor

Email/s

Location:  Anthropology (Bldg 11), Suite 234F

Erica Henderson

Advising Philosophy

Advisors should bring an open, respectful, and positive attitude to listen to what goals a student would like to accomplish. I do not believe that I can tell someone what they should want out of life, but I am extremely motivated to help them navigate their journey to get there. An advisor should encourage students to have a growth mindset and believe in their own potential. Though some roads may be longer than others, I believe that all students are “college material” if they commit to accomplishing that goal.

Read more about Erica

Majors/Minors Advised

Chris  Lynch

Senior Academic Advisor

Email/s

Location:  Social Sciences (Bldg 78), Suite 1092

Chris Lynch

Advising Philosophy

"One does not discover new lands without consenting to lose sight of the shore for a very long time." - Andre Gide

Read more about Chris

Majors/Minors Advised

Kristian  Macaron

she / her / hers / ella

Senior Academic Advisor

Email/s

Location:  Castetter Hall (Bldg 21), Basement Level

Kristian Macaron

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.

Read more about Kristian

Majors/Minors Advised

Karen  Majors

Senior Academic Advisor

Email/s

Location:  UAEC (University Advisement and Enrichment Center, Bldg 85), Suite 135

Karen Majors

Read more about Karen

Majors/Minors Advised

  • All majors

Kate  Merrill

Senior Academic Advisor

Email/s

Location:  Ortega Hall (Bldg 79), Suite 235

Kate Merrill

Catherine  Montoya

Asdzáán / she / her / hers

Student Success Specialist, Sr.

Email/s

Location:  Mesa Vista Hall (Bldg 56), Suite 3077 (3rd Floor)

Catherine Montoya

Advising Philosophy

I believe in supporting Native college students in reaching academic success and in completing their higher education degrees.

Read more about Catherine

Majors/Minors Advised

Cory  Muñoz

Senior Academic Advisor

Email/s

Location:  Social Sciences (Bldg 78), Room 2069

Cory Muñoz

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.

Read more about Cory

Majors/Minors Advised

Kelly  Neuschwanger

she / her / hers

Senior Academic Advisor

Email/s

Location:  Humanities (Bldg 81), Suite 259

Kelly Neuschwanger

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

Read more about Kelly

Majors/Minors Advised

Carla  Nielsen

Senior Academic Advisor

Email/s

Location:  Logan Hall, (Bldg 34), Room 105C

Carla Nielsen

Advising Philosophy

College can be a delicate and ever-evolving experience. As mentors, we must remember that students are not only facing the pressures of finding their academic paths, but also finding themselves and their place in the world. It is imperative as an academic advisor to acknowledge the positive and meet the student where they are on their journey to reaching their maximum potential. Being an advisor is more than evaluating transcripts; it is about being an advocate, a pillar of support, and a resource. It is our responsibility to unveil the path to the future, even when the student cannot see it themselves. I believe in creating a warm and inviting space to spark a conversation, where students feel comfortable to express their concerns. Building trust and rapport allows for a safe space to acknowledge wins, as well as areas in need of improvement. I believe that developing strategies for success is done on a case-by-case basis through mutual respect, empathy, and trust.

Read more about Carla

Majors/Minors Advised

Debra  Nieto

she / her

Senior Academic Advisor

Email/s

Location:  Logan Hall (Bldg 34), North Lobby (waiting area for appointments)

Debra Nieto

Advising Philosophy

I am dedicated to ensuring that everyone who wishes to study in the university has the ability to achieve their own visions of success. Advisors hold a particularly important role in acting as good gatekeepers for our students. We also have the ability to provide the guidance, transparency, and support to students that they may lack elsewhere, and can demystify some of the most intimidating aspects of navigating university life. I feel that to be your advisor is to be a crucial facilitator and partner with you as you navigate your unique journey of academic self-discovery. My hope is to empower you with the tools and knowledge necessary to help you use your time here to become who you want to be!

Read more about Debra

Majors/Minors Advised

Elliot  Parras

he / him / his

Senior Academic Advisor

Email/s

Location:  Humanities 415A

Elliot Parras

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.

Read more about Elliot

Majors/Minors Advised

Maggie  Sumruld

she / her / hers

Senior Academic Advisor

Email/s

Location:  Social Sciences (Bldg 78), Suite 1103 (waiting area for appointments)

Maggie Sumruld

Advising Philosophy

I may have the map, but you are the driver. Working together, we will get you where you want to go!

Read more about Maggie

Majors/Minors Advised

Sarah  Volden

she / her

Senior Academic Advisor

Email/s

Location:  C&J Bldg. (corner of Yale and Redondo)

Sarah Volden

Advising Philosophy

“It’s never too late to be what you might have been.”     --Mary Ann Evans

Read more about Sarah

Majors/Minors Advised