Meet Our Advisors & Staff
Navigate Hub for Exploring Students - Leadership
Bio
Julia joined the AAC team in 2012. She is an alumna of the University of Utah with undergraduate studies in Mass Communication and Leadership Studies. She also earned her Master’s degree in Information Systems from the U. Julia is passionate about working with first year students, exploring students, and underrepresented students. In her free time, Julia enjoys gardening, renovating her home, spending time with her two black cats, and sewing.
advisor story Mission Statement
The Navigate Hub for Exploring Students is the home for students exploring academic
options at the University of Utah. We assist students in making intentional decisions
by engaging in conversations around the student’s abilities, values, and interests.
We leverage that information to collaboratively build an exceptional educational experience
for each student.
Exploration Advisors
Bio
Stephanie joined the Navigate Hub for Exploring Students in July 2015 as part of the Major Exploration Program team. She graduated from the U in 2010, double majoring in Psychology and Behavioral Science & Health.
Bio
Erin joined the Navigate Hub for Exploring Students team in July 2024 after spending 7 years working as an academic advisor and career specialist with business students at Utah State University. Erin moved to Utah in 2012 to complete her undergraduate degree as a first generation, non-traditional student in Integrated Studies and later her MBA at Utah State University. Prior to working in higher education, Erin worked in social services specializing in serving at-risk youth and individuals with disabilities; she now applies those same skills and passion to helping students in higher education achieve academic and professional success. In her free time, Erin teaches part-time at USU, is trying her hand at pottery, and loves to spend time with her son and her pup, Zoey.
Bio
Heather enjoys advising students and helping them reach their academic goals. She graduated from the University of Utah with a B.S. degree in Human Development and a M. Ed degree in School Counseling.
Bio
Quentin is a proud alum of the University of Utah. He graduated in 2011 with a degree in Exercise Physiology (now called Kinesiology). Quentin obtained his Masters of Education degree from Clemson University in South Carolina. After moving back to Utah in 2019, he has been an academic advisor on campus dedicated to helping students as they navigate their academics. Additionally, Quentin is fanatical about movies, musical theater and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Bio
College is hard! Shelley's role as Director of PPA is to help students navigate the complexities of how to be a competitive applicant for professional health programs, and also simply just how to be a successful college student. She currently teaches two courses, UGS 1020: Intro to PreMed/PrePA and UGS 1021: Applying to Med School.
Bio
Madison is from the Midwest and recently moved to Utah with her husband and their dog, Fig, for new adventures in the mountains. Madison studied at Joliet Junior College in Illinois and received an Associate Degree in Culinary Arts, as well as an Associate Degree in Culinary Management. She is currently working on her Bachelor's in Hospitality and Tourism Management. In her free time she likes to read, listen to podcasts, and spend time with her family exploring.
Bio
Rosie is originally from Virginia and completed her B.A. in English before heading west for graduate study, earning Master’s degrees in Communication from the University of Colorado-Denver and the University of Utah, respectively. While she misses the ocean waves, she has embraced Salt Lake’s mountain views. Rosie loves the energy and enthusiasm of first-year students and is committed to helping them navigate higher education. Rosie enjoys sports and finding new restaurants. In particular, she is an avid soccer fan, so you will likely find her shouting at the television in between bites of Thai food, when Real Salt Lake or the Utah Royals are playing.
Alessandra ZamoraBio
Alessandra was born and raised in Salt Lake City and is a U alum twice over. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Gender Studies in 2017 and her Master’s degree in Education, Culture, and Society in 2019 before joining Preprofessional Advising in May 2021. As a first generation Latina, she is passionate and committed to helping students navigate higher education. She is a new mom and loves spending time with her family. An avid cook and baker, she loves to decorate cakes and is a huge foodie.
PreProfessional Advisors
Bio
Amy joined her alma mater as an advisor in 11 years after earning her BS degree in Psychology from the University of Utah. She also has a Master of Counseling degree from Arizona State University. Amy enjoys the outdoors, reading, music, and trying to train her senior rescue dog. While he is pretty set in his ways, you can, in fact, teach an old dog new tricks.
Administrative Team
Bio
David has been with the Navigate Hub for Exploring Students since March 1996. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in French (plus a Secretarial Certificate) from the University of Utah and attended the University of Washington for one year.
Bio
Cassidy is earning her associates in social work from SLCC, hoping to transfer to the University of Utah next fall to continue with my bachelor's and master's degree. I enjoy helping people, and giving them a voice.
Bio
Leslie is from Los Angeles and has recently moved to Utah to join Navigate Hub for Exploring Students. In 2021, she received an associate degree in General Studies with an Emphasis in Social Behavior & Self- Development from Rio Hondo College. She earned her bachelor’s degree in Chicana/o/x & Latina/o/x Studies from California State University at Long Beach in May of 2023. She plans to obtain her master's degree in Social Work. She loves to go to Starbucks, listen to music, and is a huge fan of the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Bio
McKenna is majoring in Biology and is looking toward a career in forensic science. She is also working on a minor in Sociology. Her interest in Biology mainly came from her dad who majored in Microbiology and bought her her first microscope. She was born and raised in Utah and loves everything about the mountains and the outdoors, going camping and rock hounding with her family any chance she gets. She also likes to spend her free time listening to music with her cat while she crochets.
Bio
Zoey joined the University of Utah team as a Happiness Coordinator in 2024. Her areas of expertise include stress reduction, morale boosting, and spontaneous joy generation. Zoey holds a Bachelor of Canine Comfort from Woofminster College. When off duty, she enjoys long walks, treat sampling, and perfecting her belly rub technique.