COAS Advising Services: Adminstrative and Advising Staff
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David Brandt
Director
Education/Background:
- Masters of Arts, Technical Communication
- Bachelor of Arts, Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations
Advice for Boise State Students:
Get involved, connect with the Boise State community, and don’t be afraid to ask for help – Support is around every corner.
Hobbies and/or Interests:
When I am not serving up aces on the volleyball court, I am always on the hunt for hidden culinary gems around the valley.
Education/Background:
- Masters of Arts, Technical Communication
- Bachelor of Arts, Communication with an emphasis in Public Relations
Advice for Boise State Students:
Get involved, connect with the Boise State community, and don’t be afraid to ask for help – Support is around every corner.
Hobbies and/or Interests:
When I am not serving up aces on the volleyball court, I am always on the hunt for hidden culinary gems around the valley.
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Alyssa Hargraves
Academic Programs Coordinator
Education/Background:
- Administrative and operational support
- Human Resources supporting onboarding, budgets, compliance, and internal communication
Advice for Boise State Students:
Don’t be afraid to ask questions early and often. School can feel overwhelming at times, but there are a lot of people here who genuinely want to help. Use the resources available to you and remember that there’s no one “right” path—your journey can still be meaningful even if it looks different than you expected!
Hobbies and/or interests:
Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, exploring local bookstores, thrifting, planning events, and spending time outdoors with my dog Chef!
Education/Background:
- Administrative and operational support
- Human Resources supporting onboarding, budgets, compliance, and internal communication
Advice for Boise State Students:
Don’t be afraid to ask questions early and often. School can feel overwhelming at times, but there are a lot of people here who genuinely want to help. Use the resources available to you and remember that there’s no one “right” path—your journey can still be meaningful even if it looks different than you expected!
Hobbies and/or interests:
Outside of work, I enjoy traveling, exploring local bookstores, thrifting, planning events, and spending time outdoors with my dog Chef!
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Carl Anderson
Senior Academic Advisor
Education/Background:
- Bachelor of Arts, History, Social Studies, Secondary Education
Advice for Boise State Students:
Try new things, join clubs, and take classes that spark your curiosity. Once you find your passion, nurture it by dedicating time and effort to it. Pursuing your passions will not only enrich your college experience but also lead to a more fulfilling and vibrant life.
Hobbies and/or Interests:
I live for adventures in the mountains. Long days spent trail running or mountain biking, followed by evenings with a good novel and tasty beverage.
Education/Background:
- Bachelor of Arts, History, Social Studies, Secondary Education
Advice for Boise State Students:
Try new things, join clubs, and take classes that spark your curiosity. Once you find your passion, nurture it by dedicating time and effort to it. Pursuing your passions will not only enrich your college experience but also lead to a more fulfilling and vibrant life.
Hobbies and/or Interests:
I live for adventures in the mountains. Long days spent trail running or mountain biking, followed by evenings with a good novel and tasty beverage.
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Clay Cox
Academic Advisor II, Department of Biological Sciences
Education/Background:
- Bachelors of Arts Communication, Sociology Minor
- Graduate Studies: Technical Communication, Ethnography, User Design
Advice for Boise State Students:
Make connections! Work with your academic advisor, talk with faculty, and make friends. Establish a good academic plan and look for ways to engage outside the classroom.
Hobbies and/or Interests:
Good stories. I love to hear peoples’ stories and I love to tell a good story.
Education/Background:
- Bachelors of Arts Communication, Sociology Minor
- Graduate Studies: Technical Communication, Ethnography, User Design
Advice for Boise State Students:
Make connections! Work with your academic advisor, talk with faculty, and make friends. Establish a good academic plan and look for ways to engage outside the classroom.
Hobbies and/or Interests:
Good stories. I love to hear peoples’ stories and I love to tell a good story.
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Bri Funderburg
Academic Advisor II
Education/Background:
- In Progress: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Illustration
- Bachelor of Science, Games, Interactive Media, and Mobile
- Minor, Information Technology Management
- Certificate, Elementary Korean
Advice for Boise State Students:
Expand your comfort zone. Join clubs to connect with students from all walks of life and explore your areas of interest.
Fun Fact About Me:
I spent 10 days in quarantine in South Korea.
Education/Background:
- In Progress: Bachelor of Fine Arts, Illustration
- Bachelor of Science, Games, Interactive Media, and Mobile
- Minor, Information Technology Management
- Certificate, Elementary Korean
Advice for Boise State Students:
Expand your comfort zone. Join clubs to connect with students from all walks of life and explore your areas of interest.
Fun Fact About Me:
I spent 10 days in quarantine in South Korea.
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Erin Gardner
Academic Advisor
Education/Background:
- Masters of Science, Biology with emphasis in Adult Education
- Bachelor of Science, Zoology, Pre-Veterinary Studies
Advice for Boise State Students:
No one expects you to do this alone. Seek out advice, find mentors, and build yourself a community.
Hobbies and/or Interests:
I enjoy reading, hiking, trying new foods, and hope to visit every National Park.
Education/Background:
- Masters of Science, Biology with emphasis in Adult Education
- Bachelor of Science, Zoology, Pre-Veterinary Studies
Advice for Boise State Students:
No one expects you to do this alone. Seek out advice, find mentors, and build yourself a community.
Hobbies and/or Interests:
I enjoy reading, hiking, trying new foods, and hope to visit every National Park.
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Althessa Jones
Academic Advisor
Education/Background:
- Masters of Business Administration
- Bachelor of Arts, Sociology
- Minors, Spanish and History
Advice for Boise State Students:
Nothing is better than having a solid group of people who build you up inside and outside the classroom.
Fun Fact About Me:
I got to open for the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall with my acapella group in 2017.
Education/Background:
- Masters of Business Administration
- Bachelor of Arts, Sociology
- Minors, Spanish and History
Advice for Boise State Students:
Nothing is better than having a solid group of people who build you up inside and outside the classroom.
Fun Fact About Me:
I got to open for the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall with my acapella group in 2017.
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Kale Kraiss
Academic Advisor
Education/Background:
- Masters of Business Administration
- Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
Advice for Boise State Students:
I’m here to help you turn your goals into a clear path forward. College is a journey of growth, and you don’t have to navigate it alone, we’ll work together to keep you focused and moving toward graduation. My goal is to support, challenge, and encourage you so you can leave here confident, prepared, and proud of what you’ve accomplished.
Fun Fact About Me:
I previously served in the U.S. Coast Guard in search and rescue and have coached high level competitive swimmers of all ages. I’m all about teamwork, resilience, and helping people reach their goals.
Education/Background:
- Masters of Business Administration
- Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
Advice for Boise State Students:
I’m here to help you turn your goals into a clear path forward. College is a journey of growth, and you don’t have to navigate it alone, we’ll work together to keep you focused and moving toward graduation. My goal is to support, challenge, and encourage you so you can leave here confident, prepared, and proud of what you’ve accomplished.
Fun Fact About Me:
I previously served in the U.S. Coast Guard in search and rescue and have coached high level competitive swimmers of all ages. I’m all about teamwork, resilience, and helping people reach their goals.
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Kailey Kohnke
Academic Advisor
Education/Background:
- Masters of Education, Educational Leadership
- Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
- Bachelor of Arts, Sociology
- Minor, Legal Studies
Advice for Boise State Students:
Try to embrace the ample opportunities Boise State has to offer and really take advantage of the resources around you. College is a transformative time that allows you to learn more about yourself and become more enriched in multiple facets. Make the most of your time here because it goes by so fast!
Ask Me About:
Being a first-generation college student. You are not alone.
Education/Background:
- Masters of Education, Educational Leadership
- Bachelor of Arts, Psychology
- Bachelor of Arts, Sociology
- Minor, Legal Studies
Advice for Boise State Students:
Try to embrace the ample opportunities Boise State has to offer and really take advantage of the resources around you. College is a transformative time that allows you to learn more about yourself and become more enriched in multiple facets. Make the most of your time here because it goes by so fast!
Ask Me About:
Being a first-generation college student. You are not alone.
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Nick Lotspeich
Academic Advisor
Education/Background:
- Bachelor of Science, Mathematics-Physics
- Bachelor of Science, Games, Interactive Media and Mobile
- Minors, Psychological Education and Development, Arts and Design, and Business
Advice for Boise State Students:
The college experience is more than taking classes and getting good grades. The experiences you have will stick with you for the rest of your life. Take time to do fun activities and focus on developing as a person too.
Ask Me About:
My astronomy internships.
Education/Background:
- Bachelor of Science, Mathematics-Physics
- Bachelor of Science, Games, Interactive Media and Mobile
- Minors, Psychological Education and Development, Arts and Design, and Business
Advice for Boise State Students:
The college experience is more than taking classes and getting good grades. The experiences you have will stick with you for the rest of your life. Take time to do fun activities and focus on developing as a person too.
Ask Me About:
My astronomy internships.
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Kayla Smoke
Academic Advisor
Education/Background:
- Bachelor of Science, Psychology
- Minor, Family Studies
- Certificate, Elementary Spanish
Advice for Boise State Students:
Take the time to connect with professors. A simple, “hello,” in passing can open the door to a valuable professional relationship. Visit office hours, ask for help, and introduce yourself to your classmates. Building these connections can make a lasting impact.
Fun Fact About Me:
I grew up competitively figure skating and took home a gold medal in the 2018 Pacific Northwest Figure Skating Regionals.
Education/Background:
- Bachelor of Science, Psychology
- Minor, Family Studies
- Certificate, Elementary Spanish
Advice for Boise State Students:
Take the time to connect with professors. A simple, “hello,” in passing can open the door to a valuable professional relationship. Visit office hours, ask for help, and introduce yourself to your classmates. Building these connections can make a lasting impact.
Fun Fact About Me:
I grew up competitively figure skating and took home a gold medal in the 2018 Pacific Northwest Figure Skating Regionals.
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Nancy Tacke
Senior Academic Advisor
Education/Background:
- Masters of Arts, Education, Curriculum & Instruction
- Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education
- Bachelor of Science, Psychology
- Fellow/Teacher Consultant, Boise State/National Writing Project
Advice for Boise State Students:
Have some fun. Share your ideas. Consider other points of view. Ask questions. Talk to your professors. Ask for help when you feel stuck. Be assured that you get to discover, define, and refine your own meaning of success.
Fun Fact About Me:
For several years, I taught various grades around the Treasure Valley. I love it when one of my former students turns up in my office for guidance in their degree plan, and we get to catch up!
Education/Background:
- Masters of Arts, Education, Curriculum & Instruction
- Bachelor of Arts, Elementary Education
- Bachelor of Science, Psychology
- Fellow/Teacher Consultant, Boise State/National Writing Project
Advice for Boise State Students:
Have some fun. Share your ideas. Consider other points of view. Ask questions. Talk to your professors. Ask for help when you feel stuck. Be assured that you get to discover, define, and refine your own meaning of success.
Fun Fact About Me:
For several years, I taught various grades around the Treasure Valley. I love it when one of my former students turns up in my office for guidance in their degree plan, and we get to catch up!