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
Lead Advisor
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."

Kennedy Fields
School: Cyprus High School
Office Phone: 385-646-6207
Email: kennedy.fields@utah.edu
College: University of Utah
Degree: B.S in Gender Studies, minor in Ethnic Studies
On UCAC: "I chose to join the Utah College Advising Corps because no one should have to navigate these systems alone. As a first-generation student myself, I want to share what I've learned with others in order to help make their college experiences a little less scary. LGBTQIA+ students, first-generation students, students of color, and all those who exist at the many intersections, deserve not only access to higher education but the tools to thrive there. I hope to help them in whatever way that looks like."

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: 385-646-6113
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."

 

Kyrie Burson
School: Kearns High
Office Phone: 385-646-2053
Email: kyrie.burson@utah.edu
College: University of Utah
Degree: B.A. in Film & Media Arts
On UCAC: "I chose to join the Utah College Advising Corps because I believe higher education should be accessible to all and I want to help students realize this and navigate the process with confindence."

 

Sambat Kim
School: Hunter
Office Phone: 385-646-6545
Email: sambat.kim@utah.edu
College: University of Utah
Degree: Bachelors of Science - International Studies, minor in Communication
On UCAC: "I chose to join the Utah College Advising Corps because as a first-generation college student who graduated debt free, I want to share my college experiences with other students. I want to help them fulfill thier potential and navigate higher education."

 

 

Miguel Rodriguez
School: West
Office Phone: 801-578.8500 ext. 325
Email: mmiguel.rodriguez@utah.edu
College: Brigham Young University
Degree: B.S. in Family Life: Human Development
On UCAC: "I chose to join the Utah College Advising Corps because it allows me the opportunity to help students of underrepresented communities reach and obtain a college education. My goal is to assure students that there is always a resource for them available from someone who has been in thier shoes before."

 

Eliopa Mafua
School: East
Office Phone: 801-583-1661 ext. 2101
Email: opa.mafua@utah.edu
College: Salt Lake Community College & University of Utah
Degree: A.S. in Psychology & B.S. in Psychology, minor in International Studies
On UCAC: "I chose to join the Utah College Advising Corps because I know how it felt to struggle as a first-generation, low-income, person of color when I started college. I'm eager to pass along information and resources I've obtained throughout my college experience. Education is key, and with that, the younger generation can unlock many doors."

 
Kevin Enriquez
School: Taylorsville High
Office Phone: 385-646-6926
Email: kevin.enriquez@utah.edu
College: University of Utah
Degree: B.S in Sociology & a Criminology Certificate

On UCAC: "I chose to join the Utah College Advising Corps because higher education could be as difficult for many students as it was for me, me being a first-generation college student and knowing how rough it was from the start. I feel this is a great opportunity to work with underrepresented students of color and I plan to guide all students who need help achieving what they set their goals to be."

 

Ernesto Arvizu Bastidas
School: Highland High
Office Phone: 801-484-4343 ext.124
Email: ernesto.arvizubastidas@utah.edu
College: California State University
Degree: B.A. in Communitcation: Public Relations, minor in Gender Studies
On UCAC: "I chose to join the Utah College Advising Corps because I want to encourage future generation and provide knowledge to the students that a college degree can be achievable if you put forth effort and work hard to accomplish your goals. As a first-generation, queer person of color, with many other barriers, I found success in college, and so can you. Higher education should be equal access to any one that works hard and is committed to their future."

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.