Meet the Team!
There are several ways to schedule with us! You can…
1. Click a specific advisor’s “Schedule an Appointment” links below
2. Head to your Student Portal, click on the WCS icon, then the “Make an Appointment” button to bring up available advisor schedules
3. Call our front office at 503-838-8428
4. Or, email us at our addresses below or email advising@wou.edu.
Paige Jackson
Director
jacksonpa@wou.edu | 503-838-9391| She/Her/Hers
I’ve been working with advising and student success programs since 2011 at various institutions, including the University of Oregon, University of Michigan, and a small liberal arts college in Kuwait. 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.
Jen Koshnick
Associate Director
koshnickj@wou.edu | 503-838-9304 | She/Her/Hers
Kelly Rush
Assistant Director
rushk@wou.edu | 503-838-8576 | She/Her/Hers
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
gormallyk@wou.edu | 503-838-8083 | He/Him/His
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.
Melissa Hinzman
Office Coordinator and Academic Advisor
hinzmanm@wou.edu | 503-838-9354 | She/Her/Hers
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.
Dr. Maggie Newton
Degree Completion and Interdisciplinary Studies Coordinator/Advisor
newtonm@wou.edu | 503-838-8057 | She/Her/Hers | Se habla Español
As the Degree Completion and Interdisciplinary Studies Coordinator/Advisor, I’m excited to help students re-enroll and complete their degree. I have a B.S. in Biology & Philosophy from the University of Texas – Rio Grande Valley, a M.A in Philosophy from the University of Oregon, and a Ph.D. in Philosophy from the University of Oregon. I’m also a native Spanish speaker, and I am happy to advise students in English or Spanish.
Mika Hui
Academic Success Advisor
huim@wou.edu | 503-838-9364 | She/Her/Hers
I am a WOU alumnus and come from a family of past and future WOU alumni. You could say I grew up on Western’s beautiful campus! I graduated here in 2020 with a Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies. I am working on my Master of Science in the PACE program at PSU presently. I am an Academic Success Advisor for SSA currently, but I started as the office’s intern during Summer 2022. In my spare time I like to watch Howl’s Moving Castle more times than any one human probably should, play Dungeons and Dragons with my friends, and listen to kpop.
Kennedy Schade
Academic Success/Transfer Advisor
schadek@wou.edu | 503-838-9371 | He/Him/His
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.
