Meet Our Team
While we are charged with upholding many University processes and policies, we work closely with faculty, academic advisors in our majors and departments, and partners across campus every day to make sure our College works for our students. We endeavor to help every student access the opportunities this campus affords and connect those that need support with the resouces to be successful. From new student orientation to degree certification, our team guides students through major exploration, supports students through academic and non-academic matters, and facilitates updates to their academic records.
Please direct general inquiries for the Student Division team to colastudiv@austin.utexas.edu
- Student Division Leadership
Casey Bushman, Director of Academic Records
Stephanie Quinn, Assistant Director for Student Division Advising
- Records and Certification
Please direct certification questions to la-certification@utlists.utexas.edu and student questions regarding the interactive degree audit to your major advisor.
D'Evelyn Kaburu, Administrative Program Coordinator, supports degree certification, the interactive degree audit, Veteran's and student-athlete eligibility certification, and scholastic probation and dismissal.
Michael Palena, Academic Program Coordinator, supports degree certification, Veteran's and student-athlete eligibility certification, tuition rebates, Dean's List and Dean's Recommendations, and student outreach and correspondance.
Delisa Tippens, Senior Administrative Program Coordinator, leads degree certification and the interactive degree audit for Liberal Arts credentials.
- UTurn
Ben Burnett, Senior Student Program Coordinator, After graduating from the University of Texas at Austin with a Bachelor of Arts in history and a Masters of Education, Ben Burnett started UTurn in 2009 as a pilot program in the College of Liberal Arts. While the pilot program initially only catered to undeclared students, the program soon expanded to include all majors within the College of Liberal Arts. Through UTurn, Ben hopes to help students rethink their approach to learning and studying, along with emphasizing the importance of balancing school with other aspects of life. Burnett has won the Outstanding Advising Program award for UTurn from the National Academic Advising Association. Students are able to find the UTurn in the College of Liberal Arts Student Success (CLASS) center, on the ground floor of the Robert L. Patton (RLP) building.
RLP 1.304 | 512-232-3816
- Student Division Advising
Please direct general advising questions to colastudiv@austin.utexas.edu
Stephanie Quinn, Assistant Director for Student Division Advising
Othell Ballage, Academic Advising Coordinator
Matthew Householder, Senior Administrative Associate
James Beard, Senior Academic Advisor: "As advisors in higher education, we are given the privilege of contributing in our humble way to the successes of some advisees, mitigating the setbacks of others, and guiding all through their challenges towards their academic and professional goals. My personal approach to effective advising is grounded in empathy, respect, and an emphasis on empowerment. Advisors get to play the role of helper and guide in students’ stories, and it is both an honor and a great responsibility to play this role. I am committed to earning students’ trust, and to always striving to merit their continued trust, through conscientious, informed, and empathetic advising."
Lee Gardner-Warrenfells, Senior Academic Advisor: "My advising philosophy is to create an environment that promotes a reciprocal exchange between advisor and student with integrity. My aim is to foster conversations that promote trust, student accountability, and transparency, while upholding university/college policies. I believe in empowering students to be active participants in their college career by helping them steer their academic careers to reach their career goals, by guiding them to utilize the tools and resources available to them. I am a solutions-focused advisor, helping students overcome obstacles they may face including, but not limited to, academic, social, emotional, medical, and administrative issues. I value the importance of being a caring, respectful, and empathetic advocate for the students we see at such a large university."
Brett Glasscock, Senior Academic Advisor: “I see my role as an advisor as that of a care worker. Here, I'm thinking of care in the tradition of crip/critical disability thought. Care means using our tools and knowledge to work interdependently, navigating difficult institutions and situations, working always toward decreasing harm and increasing fulfillment, knowledge, and safety. To me, care also means acknowledging the different ways barriers to students' education. Racism, ableism, misogyny, anti-queerness, and other forms of oppression are real barriers to students' life and education. I want my work, always, to be critical of structural violence while uplifting the individual people who face its myriad consequences. I see my work as giving care to students by educating them, empowering them, empathizing with their struggles, and enjoying their victories with them. Just as a person, I'm not a huge fan of the status quo. I want to help my students, improve my practice as an advisor, and work toward making the university more welcoming to everyone.”
Steve Hall, Senior Academic Advisor: "I view academic advising as a partnership between advisor and advisee to assist and support in developing a plan that will allow for visualization and attainment of academic and career goals. An advisor can be effective, and every student can learn. It is my task to cultivate the minds of every student I encounter. I will model the behavior, values, and skills students need to successfully complete their academic journey and function in the world. Advisors are responsible to the individuals they advise, to their institutions, to higher education, to their educational community, and accountable for involving others in the advising process, when appropriate, and for their professional and personal practices."
Diana Lopez Martinez, Senior Academic Advisor: “Howdy! I’m Diana Lopez Martinez; I graduated from UT Austin in 2019 with a BA in Asian Studies. My background as a former student allows me to bridge the gap between student experiences and institutional knowledge. My advising philosophy is to be friendly, firm, and fair. I’m here to keep it real and offer honest and practical advice that aligns with your goals and needs. Your experiences at this university are unique to you and I hope we can work together so that you feel confident in navigating your academic path. I’m also a pretty good person to rant at; if you just need to talk through some school stuff, I’m right here for you. Our conversations as a safe place – no judgment here. Whether you need a sympathetic ear, some practical know-how, or a bit of both, I've got your back. I can also provide support in Spanish or Chinese (Mandarin). Take care, friends!”
Lisa Merritt, Senior Academic Advisor: "Academic advisors are in a position of trust with students that goes beyond academic concerns and supports them in their personal development. My goal is always to meet students where they are, recognize their individual strengths, weaknesses, interests, and concerns, and support them as they navigate not just UT, but also the wider world. Part of my job as an advisor is to help students explore the breadth of opportunities at UT. Many students come to UT with pre-determined ideas about what they hope to accomplish. While I always aim to support students, sometimes that requires challenging preconceived plans. This is especially vital in working with undeclared students, who often come to our office frustrated by not getting in to their first choice major and need to come to terms with the possibility that their original path might not be possible. I tend to lead with the idea that you don’t know what you don’t know – you can’t try to open doors you don’t know exist. I want to help you find the right door to the best possible path to your future. "
Bryan Russell, Senior Academic Advisor: "College is an exciting time to explore and find out who you are and what you’re made of. The shadow side of that, however, is vulnerability. In my role as an advisor, my greatest joy is cheering students on when they make strides in their growth and pursue their goals. My greatest responsibility, however, is handling their vulnerability with care. To that end, while advising practices and administrative policies might change, my approach will always be one that prioritizes a student’s feeling of confidence, competence and care."
Sydney Senske, Senior Academic Advisor: "When advising, my main goal is to ensure that students have the knowledge and tools that they need to make educated decisions that will contribute to their goals. I do this by informing students of their options, explaining how to navigate systems, and providing students with applicable resources. My advising philosophy is constantly evolving as I continue down my career path as an advisor. However, one element that will remain consistent is that I will always strive to serve students with integrity. Advising is something that I take a lot of pride in. It truly is rewarding to see students become active participants in their education, and to witness the growth that they experience throughout their college career."
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Questions? Need Help? Contact Us.
- Liberal Arts Student Division
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