Office of Engagement

UCAC College Access Advisers 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.

As recent college graduates, College Access Advisers have the unique ability to relate to students and to serve as both a role model and mentors. UCAC College Access Advisers 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.

 

Ben Danh, Ben Lomond High School

 

Katie Tams, Bonneville High School 

  
 


Hannah Elmer, Clearfield High School

Ban received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Westminster College. She is so excited to be a college access adviser as a part of a larger support system for the students entering higher education and to give them the advice that she wished she had received before and during her college process. Dyllen recently graduated from Southern Utah University with his Bachelors of Art in Psychology and minored in Sociology. Currently, he is finishing his Masters of Public Administration. He is excited to be a college adviser because he wants to help students be proactive in their college future and create an exciting environment for the future of all students.
Collin graduated with a B.S. in Human Development & Family Studies and Psychology from the University of Utah. What excites him about stepping into the college access adviser role, is the opportunity to walk with students towards their goals and make a lasting positive impact. Hailee graduated with a bachelor's degree in Behavioral Science with an emphasis in Psychology.  She is excited to be a college adviser because she is passionate about advocating equal opportunities for everyone. Ciera has a Bachelor of Science from the University of Utah where she studied Cognitive Psychology. She is originally from St. George and excited to be back working at her old high school. She is excited to be part of a program that can provide resources for getting into higher education!

Eliopa is a returning adviser to East High School. She received her Associates in Psychology from Salt Lake Community College. She transferred to the University of Utah where she received her Bachelor's in Psychology and a minor in International Studies. Eliopa joined the UCAC team because she knows what it feels like to be first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented. She wants the process for students to be much more smooth and successful.

Mariah obtained her Bachelor's Degree at Weber State University and majored in Family Studies. Since graduating, she has worked at a high school and loves working with students and helping them succeed. She is excited to be a college adviser and help students prepare for the next phase of their lives!

 

 

 
 

Sofie Oldroyd, Granger High School

 

 

 

 

Kaitlyn Dickson, Highland High School

 

 

 

 

Olivia Cordova, Hillcrest High School 

 

  

Sambat Kim, Hunter High School

 

 

 


Kyrie Burson, Kearns High School 

Kyrie is returning to UCAC for a second year at Kearns High! She graduated from the University of Utah with her Bachelor's degree in Film & Media  Arts. She joined the College Advising Corps because she wants students to know that they can access higher education no matter what.

 

 

 

 


Kaitlin Andrews, Layton High School

Kaitlin earned her bachelor’s degree from Utah State University in Communication Studies. She is excited to be a college adviser because the transition to college is such a crucial time, and she believes that everyone deserves a fighting chance to reach their full potential.

 

 

 

  

Mary Blanchard, Mountain View High School

Mary graduated from BYU with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. She is so excited to work at Mountain View High School because the inclusive culture at MVHS is unmatched. Mary loves being a Bruin!  

 

 

 

 

Devon Arellano, Ogden High School

Kennedy is excited to be a college adviser because she is passionate about higher education and the many new possibilities it brings! Kennedy is thrilled to help these students and all students access higher education and the many options available to them!   Kate graduated from Colorado State University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Development and Family Studies and a minor in Spanish. She is very grateful for the support she received and is excited to offer that same support to high school students as a College Access Adviser! Jonny received his bachelor’s degree in Psychology at Dixie State University. He is thrilled to work closely with students who seek the desire to continue learning and move forward towards their dreams and aspirations.
Laura attended California State University, Northridge, where she received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She is very excited to be in Utah and to have been given the opportunity to be a college adviser. Being a college adviser means she gets to help our future leaders find their way on their educational journey.
Alexis earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from Southern Utah University where she studied English Creative and Technical Writing with a minor in Dance Performance. She is excited to be a college adviser because she is passionate about education and knows that sometimes it can seem a daunting task to go to college. Becca graduated from Dixie State University in Communication Studies. She is so excited to help students reach their educational goals and find their potential. She loved her college experience and all the opportunities it gave her to learn and grow in new ways. She is hoping to help students discover their opportunities and how to take advantage of them. Hayley earned her bachelor’s degree in dance from Southern Utah University. She is excited for the opportunity to have a positive impact on high school students as they plan for their futures. Eleanor earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology from BYU-Idaho. She is currently studying Educational Leadership with Southeastern Oklahoma State University. She is excited to be a college adviser because her college experience taught her how to think in new and more complex ways.
Kevin is a second-year adviser returning to Taylorsville High School. He graduated from the University of Utah with a bachelors in Sociology with a Criminology Certificate. He is excited to work with underrepresented students of color and to guide all students who need help in achieving what they set their goals to be. Kelly received her B.S. in Psychology from Brigham Young University. She is excited to join UCAC because she knows how a little help in the right direction can make a huge difference.   Nikolett graduated from Southern Utah University with a bachelor’s degree in Family Life & Human Development. As a recent college graduate, she knows what an exciting yet intimidating time this can be for young adults. She is honored to have been chosen for this journey with such a great group of kids at Water Canyon High School.
Libbey earned her Bachelor's degree in English Literature from Utah State University. She chose to join the Utah College Advising Corps because she wants to help students realize their potential.  Alicia graduated with a Bachelor’s of Arts in Psychology and Education from the University of Colorado at Boulder and is currently working toward her Master’s of Science in Curriculum and Instruction from Western Governors University. She chose to join the Utah College Advising Corps because she is ardent on continuing to support all students with care and empowerment.
Aila received her bachelor’s degree from the University of Utah in Communications and Political Science. She is very excited to be a college adviser because she can share her college experiences and motivate students. 

Mackay graduated with her degree in Communications from Utah Valley University. She is thrilled to be a college access adviser because she is passionate about education and the positive influence and ample opportunities it brings to an individual.

Nicole Batt, Director

Nicole Batt is the 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, Associate Director & Regional Coordinator for SALT LAKE CITY 

Rachel is the Associate Director for the Utah College Advising Corps. Rachel is a first generation college graduate who earned her B.S. in Social Science and Secondary Education at Westminster College and her Masters of Public Administration from the University of Utah.  

 

 

 

Cassandra Fa’amuli REGIONAL COORDINATOR FOR Utah County

Cassandra's career in education started at the elementary level as an after-school program assistant. After earning her bachelor’s degree in education from Brigham Young University-Hawaii, she moved into various roles at the intermediate and high school level. She most recently worked with underrepresented populations as an outreach admissions counselor for Utah Valley University. She is excited to now be the regional coordinator at Utah Valley University overseeing the college access advisors in Utah County.

 

 

 

Dallyn Hallows, Regional Coordinator for Washington County

Dallyn Hallows is a Regional Coordinator for the Utah College Advising Corps. As a first-generation college student, Dallyn graduated from Brigham Young University with her BS in Family and Consumer Sciences Education. Shortly after, she became a college access advisor at Pine View High School for the Utah College Advising Corps and served in that role for three years. In addition to being a college access advisor she taught Personal Finance 1750, a concurrent enrollment class through Dixie State University. Dallyn is passionate about helping bridge the gap that exists for first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students and helping students find their best fit for post-secondary education. Dallyn is thrilled for the opportunity to help expand this program across the state and continue this work in a new capacity as the regional coordinator in Washington County.

TANNER TELFORD, REGIONAL COORDINATOR FOR OGDEN / DAVIS / WEBER

Tanner Telford is a Regional Coordinator for the Utah College Advising Corps. Tanner completed his BA in English Education at Weber State University in 2018, where he graduated as valedictorian from the College of Arts and Humanities. He then continued to earn his M.Sc. at the University of Oxford in 2019 as a Phi Kappa Phi national fellow. A first-generation, low-income student himself, his graduate research and dissertation has concerned the factors impacting the higher education considerations of these student populations within Utah. Having taught, coached, and volunteered across the Davis, Weber, and Ogden school districts, Tanner is excited to help the program expand in these regions and to assist students in achieving their educational goals.

Salt Lake City School District: East, West, Highland
Granite School District: Granger, Cyprus, Hunter, Kearns, Taylorsville, Cottonwood, Skyline 
Jordan School District: West Jordan
Canyons School District: Hillcrest
Weber School District: Fremont, Weber, Roy, Bonneville
Davis School District: Clearfield, Layton
Ogden School District: Ben Lomond, Ogden
Alpine School District: Mountain View, Orem, West Lake
Provo School District: Timpview, Provo
Nebo School District: Springville, Payson
Washington County School District: Pine View, Dixie, Desert Hills, Snow Canyon, Crimson, Hurricane, Water Canyon.

The Utah College Advising Corps (UCAC) is a college access program founded on the idea that all high school students deserve equal opportunities to enter institutions of higher education. Established in August 2007 by a generous grant from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation and operated by the Office of Engagement at the University of Utah, UCAC encourages Utah high school students to participate in the various higher education opportunities available to them through the state's nine colleges and universities and throughout the nation. UCAC's ultimate goal is to increase the number of underserved students that enroll in college.