SSA
We are so excited to have you join us at WOU!
Here are a few ways to schedule with us:
-
Click the links in the staff profiles below to “Schedule an Appointment” with any of our advisors
-
Log into WCS (located in your WOU Portal) and use the “Get Support” button to bring up available advisor schedules
-
Call us at 503-838-8428 to setup an appointment
-
Email any of us at our addresses below or for more general inquiries email advising@wou.edu (or transferpathways@wou.edu for transfer-related questions)
Kelly Rush
Assistant Director
She/Her/Hers
rushk@wou.edu | 503-838-8576 | Schedule an Appointment
I am a WOU alumnus and have a background working at both the high school and college level. I was a first generation, low-income student while at WOU and feel that I can bring insight and support to the students I work with.
Keegan Gormally
Tutoring Coordinator/Academic Success Advisor
He/Him/His
gormallyk@wou.edu | 503-838-8083 | Schedule an Appointment
As Tutoring Coordinator/Academic Success Advisor, my passion is working with students to clarify their goals, overcome barriers to success, and access support for their academic and personal well-being. I am originally from northern Iowa and am also a first generation student, receiving my B.A. in English from the University of Iowa before earning a Master of Science degree in Higher Education Administration from the University of Kansas. Outside of work hours, I enjoy reading and writing, being outdoors, and staying connected with family and friends across the country.
Dr. Maggie Newton
Degree Completion and Interdisciplinary Studies Coordinator/Advisor
She/Her/Hers | Se habla Español
newtonm@wou.edu | 503-838-8057 |Schedule an Appointment
As the Degree Completion and Interdisciplinary Studies Coordinator and Advisor, I’m excited to help students re-enroll and complete their degrees. I have a B.S. in Biology from the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley, a M.A in Philosophy from the University of Oregon, and I earned my Ph.D. in Philosophy at the University of Oregon. I’m also a native Spanish speaker, and I am happy to advise students in English or Spanish.
Melissa Hinzman
Office Coordinator and Academic Advisor
She/Her/Hers
hinzmanm@wou.edu | 503-838-9354 | Schedule an Appointment
I am the Office Coordinator and an Academic Advisor for students interested in the Pre-Nursing pathway and those exploring their options. A native Oregonian, I received my Bachelors degree in English Literature and German Studies from WOU and went on to earn a Masters degree in Comparative Literature from the University of Edinburgh in Scotland. I also spent a year teaching English as a second language in Austria and several years as a college writing instructor once back in the states. I enjoy traveling, reading, listening to music of all genres, and spending time with my two cats.
Qin Ma
Interim Director, Office of International Education and Development
She/Her/Hers |Mandarin Chinese
maq@wou.edu | 503-838-8024
International Student Support Website
Currently, I am the Interim Director for the Office of International Education and Development.
As an advisor, my job is to provide advising and academic support to WOU students with a focus on international students. I also coordinate the English Tutoring Center and teach the international section of First Year Experience class. I am originally from Xi’an, Romanized as Sian, a big city with more than 12 million people in China. I have been working at WOU since 2017. I look forward to meeting and supporting you to enhance your WOU learning experience. Education provides us with hope, the hope to change our life and the hope to shape our society. Together, we succeed!
Kennedy Schade
Academic Success Advisor (Transfer Specialist)
He/Him/His
schadek@wou.edu | 503-838-9371 | Schedule an Appointment
As an Academic Success Advisor with emphasis on assisting transfer students, the goal of my position is to make students feel heard and supported in their choice to come to WOU. I have a passion for education and feel there is no greater joy for me than helping a student unlock their best selves. I am originally from Colorado where I received my B.A. and M.A. in Communication Studies from Colorado State University. I have experience teaching Public Speaking at multiple higher education institutions and also have done work facilitating community forums in Northern Colorado through Colorado State University’s Center for Public Deliberation. When not working with students through SSA, I enjoy watching movies, playing video games, eating/cooking great food, and attending sporting events whenever possible.
Adrian Trujillo
Bilingual Academic Success Advisor
He/Him/His | Se habla Español
trujilloa@wou.edu | 503-838-8587 | Schedule an Appointment
Dream.US Scholars Advisor
I am the Bilingual Academic Success Advisor with Student Success and Advising. I am a native to Independence and Monmouth Oregon. I graduated from Oregon State with a bachelors in Human Development and Family Science as a first-generation, non-traditional student. I am excited to work with all students and help them explore their opportunities and support their goals. I enjoy quality time with my family, movies with my three sons and crafting with my wife.
Travis Tyler
COVID-19 Retention and Persistence Success Advisor
He/Him/His
tylert@wou.edu | 503-838-9369 | Schedule an Appointment
I’m excited to join the Western Oregon University community as the COVID-19 Persistence and Retention Success Advisor. I look forward to helping students and student-athletes get the most out of their academic journey. I have a B.A. in English from Dartmouth College where I was a member of the Men’s Swimming and Diving Team. I also have a Master of Education in Higher Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Outside of work, I enjoy reading and writing, swimming, and a good road trip.
Paige Jackson
Director
She/Her/Hers
jacksonpa@wou.edu | 503-838-9391
I’ve been working with advising and student success programs since 2011. I’ve worked with engineering students, students exploring majors, and students experiencing academic challenges at different institutions, including the University of Oregon, University of Michigan, and a small liberal arts college in Kuwait. I love working with students, particularly those who are experiencing challenges in navigating college. In my role at WOU, I love collaborating with staff and faculty advisors to develop systems and processes that increase support for student success. I was born and raised down the road in Salem and hold a master’s degree in higher education from the University of Michigan. When I’m not working, you’ll usually find me hanging out with my two small children who do their very best to keep me on my toes!
