UCAC College Access Advisors guide high school students through college entrance exam preparation, admissions procedures, and financial aid processes to ensure that all Utah students have access to higher education opportunities at the state's nine colleges and universities and beyond.

UCAC uses a "near-peer" approach to college advising. As recent college graduates, College Access Advisors have the unique ability to relate to students and to serve as both a role model and mentors. UCAC College Access Advisors believe that by giving more people access to higher education, UCAC not only benefits the lives of the students in the program, but has a widespread and lasting positive impact on the state as a whole.

 

Margarita Arteaga
School: West Jordan High
Office Phone: 801-256-5600
Email: margarita.arteaga@utah.edu
College: University of Utah
Degree: B.A. in Spanish Language and Human Development/Family Studies
On UCAC: "I chose to join the Utah College Advising Corps because I think it's important for everyone to have access to higher education, especially those who may as feel as lost as I did. I would like to specifically work with ethnic minorities in achieving the goal of higher education as I did."

Yajanetsy Ruano-Ortega
School: Cyprus High School
Office Phone: 385-646-6207
Email: Yajanetsy.ruano@utah.edu
College: University of Utah
Degree: B.S in Sociology with a minor in Chicana/o studies.
On UCAC: "I believe in the future of our youth, and as a first generation college student, I want to mentor students to make sure they reach their full potential, and teach them to navigate college."

Olivia Cordova
School: Hillcrest High School
Office phone: 801-826-6092
Email: olivia.cordova@utah.edu
College: University of Utah
Degree: B.S. in Sociology with an emphasis in Criminology
On UCAC: “I chose to join the Utah College Advising Corps because as a first generation college graduate I want to be able to share my college experiences with students and help them along their way to and through higher education.

Jeannette Hernandez Culas
School: Granger High
Office Phone: 385-646-5320
Email: jeannette.hernandez@utah.edu
College: University of Utah
Degree: B.A. in Mass Communication and English
On UCAC: "I chose to join the Utah College Advising Corps because I want to serve the community and help students reach their potential. Too often, young students sell themselves short and I want to help them understand that getting a college degree is possible."

 

Diego Dominguez
School: Cottonwood High
Office Phone: 385-646-6179
Email: diego.dominguez@utah.edu
College: University of Utah
Degree: B.S. Communication Studies
On UCAC: "I chose to join the Utah College Advising Corps because I want to support and partner with students so they can make informed decisions and create goals for them to achieve."

 

Dallyn Hallows
School: Pine View High
Office Phone: 435-652-5800 ext. 109
Email: dallyn.hallows@utah.edu
College: Brigham Young University
Degree: B.S. in Family and Consumer Science Education
On UCAC: "I chose to join the Utah College Advising Corps because it will allow me to "pay it forward." I did not have a College Access Advisor when I went to high school but I had many mentors and advisors who helped me navigate my route to higher education. This position excites me! I look forward to getting to know the students and helping them discover the many opportunities they have in post-secondary education."

 
Zitlalli Herrera
School: Kearns High
Office Phone: 385-646-2053
Email: zitlalli.herrera@utah.edu
College: University of Utah
Degree: B.A. in Psychology
On UCAC: "I chose to join the Utah College Advising Corps because being able to help out students continue their higher education is what I enjoy doing the most. I want to make sure students get the opportunity to experience college life and achieve their educational goals."

 

Alisi Niupalau
Lead Advisor
School: Hunter
Office Phone: 385-646-6545
Email: alisi.Niupalau@utah.edu
College: University of Utah
Degree: Bachelors of Science - Health Promotion and Education
On UCAC: "I chose to join the Utah College Advising Corps because I understand the importance of higher education and want to be a bridge for students in my community by making it accessible for all."

 

Helaman Hernandez Salas
School: West
Office Phone: 801-578.8500 ext. 325
Email: hernandezsalas.helaman@utah.edu
College: BYU-Idaho
Degree: B.A.in Political Science
On UCAC: "I chose to join the Utah College Advising Corps because helping students to get into college will help them to move forward with their goals and dreams and it will enhance their opportunities in the future."

 

 

Elizabeth Shaw
School: East
Office Phone: 801-584-2923 ext. 1171
Email: elizabeth.shaw@utah.edu
College: Weber State University
Degree: Bachelors of Science in Social Work
On UCAC: "I chose to join the Utah College Advising Corps because I believe higher education is the key to success and want more high school students to know that College is a possibility for them."

 

Dayan Castañeda Muñoz
School: Taylorsville High
Office Phone: 385-646-6926
Email: castaneda.dayan@utah.edu
College: University of Utah
Degree: B.S in Sociology & Minor in International Studies

On UCAC: "I chose to join the Utah College Advising Corps because achieving higher education can be a difficult and confusing process, specifically for underrepresented students of color. I hope through my role as an advisor I can provide resources and support for students so they can achieve higher education."

Eduardo Zaragoza
School: Highland High
Office Phone: 801-484-4343 ext.124
Email: eduardo.zaragoza@utah.edu
College: University of Utah
Degree: B.S. in Sociology, certificate in Diverstiy and Criminology
On UCAC: "I chose to join the Utah College Advising Corps because it is a great opportunity to give back to my community by helping underrepresented youth of color achieve their dreams by accessing and succeeding in higher education."

Dr. Sandi Pershing is the Assistant Vice President of the office of Engagement, and a professor in the Master of Public Administration program at The University of Utah. Sandi earned a Bachelor of Arts and an MPA from the University of Wyoming, after which she received her Ph.D. in Public Administration from Arizona State University. Previous related positions that Sandi has held include: Director of Professional Education – University of Utah Continuing Education Division; Program Manager – University of Utah MPA Program; and Faculty Associate – Arizona State University, School of Public Affairs.

Nicole Batt is the Managing Director of the Office of Engagement and Director of the Utah College Advising Corps. As a first generation college student, Nicole completed both her B.S. in Communication and a Masters in Public Administration at the University of Utah, and is currently working on her Ph.D. in Political Science. 

 

 

 Rachel Everitt is the Assistant Director of the Utah College Advising Corps. Rachel is a first generation college graduate with a degree in Social Science and Secondary Education from Westminster college and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Utah. 

 

Salt Lake City School District: East, West, Highland
Granite School District: Granger, Cyprus, Hunter, Kearns, Taylorsville, Cottonwood, Olympus
Jordan School District: West Jordan
Canyons School District: Hillcrest
Washington County School District: Pine View
*Uintah River Education Coordinator: Uintah River

 All high school students deserve an equal opportunity to enter an institution of higher education. This was the driving idea behind the creation of the Utah College Advising Corps (UCAC). Established in August 2007, the program has been designed to increase the number of first-generation students, low-income students, and students of color who enroll in college. Our College Access Advisors serve in 13 high schools in 4 school districts across the Wasatch Front. As recent college graduates, they enthusiastically help high school students register for and complete college entrance exams, submit college applications, and apply for scholarships and financial aid.