Advisement Staff

Suzanne Freed - Director

The Advisement Services Center is an important resource for you during your years at UAlbany. The Center is staffed with professional advisors who are dedicated to helping you achieve your academic goals. You will have an assigned advisor in this office during the time you are charting your educational path. As you identify your interests, strengths and abilities, your advisor will help you to match these with the resources and opportunities at the University. Once you decide upon and gain entry to your major, your official advisor will become someone in that academic department. However, the advisors here will continue to be available to you to answer questions and help with any changes in your path. We look forward to getting to know you and participating in your future!

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Linda Scoville, PH.D - Assistant Director, Pre-Law Advisor

I have always believed that the student is the most important component here at the University at Albany, and my advising reflects this. What I am most interested in is your hopes, dreams, and plans, and how we can take the steps to make these into reality. I take the time to really listen to my students, and am always willing to help with any of your concerns. An advisor is a partner in a student's academic career, and together we can plan for the future.

Linda received the Outstanding Advising Certificate of Merit from the National Academic Advising Association, 2003.

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Sesan Badejo - Academic Advisor

My role, as your academic advisor, is to empower you to make informed decisions about choosing appropriate majors to accomplish your goals. I promise to listen attentively to you, and I will facilitate your access to the excellent resources and opportunities that the university provides to enable you achieve academic success. 

Individual students have unique abilities and interests. As you continue to grow intellectually and personally, I will work in partnership with you as you identify, explore, and enhance your strengths with the help of university resources. I am here to support you in your quest for a successful educational experience, and a bright future. 

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Selena Bennett - Academic Advisor

As your academic advisor, I want to be there with you each step of the way as you develop personally, intellectually, and professionally.  Life is full of different cycles and transitions and you are now in your “collegiate cycle”. This cycle can be very exciting and fulfilling, but it is essentially what you choose to make of it. I am here to help you make the best of it. I will be a listener, a communicator, a resource, a guide, and a mentor to you and for you. I will do these things in hopes of helping you become a better decision maker, more self-aware, and ultimately a better you. My hopes for you are that you explore your opportunities both on campus and abroad, become more aware of the great talents you have, and become engaged in the Albany Community and World that we believe is in reach. I look forward to meeting you.
“I believe everyone’s life is meaningful and important. I also believe we all have a purpose and are here on purpose. I want to help you find out just what that is. You are a very important piece in the puzzle of life and no one can replace you.”- Selena Bennett

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Barbara Brown - Academic Advisor, Program Coordinator

I think advising is a series of moments: crafting a schedule of classes, discussing plans for academic success, exploring ideas as your future comes in to focus. I will serve as your guide, your mentor, and your advocate as you journey through your first years of college. My role is to work with you in shaping your educational plan and to point you in the direction of the many other university resources available here to enrich your academic experience and your life. I encourage you to participate in our community. Although my professional background is in journalism, public relations, and education, my interests are diverse. I enjoy sharing ideas and look forward to getting to know you. My door is always open.

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Rebecca Daniels - Academic Advisor

The best part of my job is getting to know my students!  I look forward to working with each of you during your career at Albany and helping you to explore the many exciting opportunities here.  My role is to help you identify your strengths and passions so that you can create a college experience that is exciting and meaningful for you.  College is a time to explore different courses and activities to learn more about who you are and what you want; I hope to be a part of that journey with you.  Beyond helping you decide which classes to take, I can be a resource, a listening ear and an encouraging voice when you need it.  I truly enjoy learning about the unique talents and experiences of each of the students’ I work with.  I encourage you to come in often to discuss your academic goals and plans—my door is always open!

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John Donoghue - Academic Advisor, Program Coordinator

Students come first! This is my personal philosophy as an academic advisor at the University at Albany. In working with students I hope to help them explore their academic options, help to make them aware of the various opportunities available at University at Albany, or just being there to listen. Hopefully in our time together, students will be working to develop both short term and long term goals in the classroom and in life. I encourage students to contact me at any time whether through phone, email or dropping by the office.

John received the Academic Advising Excellence award from the National Academic Advising Association, Region 1, 2006.

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Yenisel Gulatee - Academic Advisor

As your academic advisor, with an academic background in anthropology, history, and futures studies I invite you to imagine the possibilities and create your best preferred future (s). College is a transformative experience where students gain invaluable, insightful knowledge about themselves and the world around them.
Creating a path can be difficult and confusing at times, but one must stay the course by being patient and persistent. I hope that through this process you will allow me to collaborate with you, so that we can best match your interests and professional goals, with an academic path that showcases your talents, abilities and multiple intelligences.

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Anita Rua Hanson - Academic Advisor

As your advisor at this University, I look forward to getting to know each of your "stories" and talking with you as often as you make decisions about your future.  I want you to realize that you are here for your own benefit and that you are sure to grow when you take on challenges, even small ones.  I hope that while you are in school you will take advantage of the innumerable opportunities that are out there for you to expand your learning.  I am here to answer your questions, help you clarify your academic goals, and to show you how to find those opportunities that will best suit you.

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Alex Herasimtschuk - Academic Advisor

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Kim Kerker - Pre-Health Advisor

I joined the Advisement Services Center in January 1999 as an academic advisor. I have worked at the University at Albany since 1993 as an Assistant Director in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. While at admissions, I enjoyed meeting and advising prospective Albany students, both freshmen and transfers. My move to the Advisement Services Center has been a natural and pleasant transition since I can combine my knowledge of the University's academic policies with my interest in helping students on a continuous basis.

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Peter Monaco - Academic Advisor

Aldous Huxley wrote “Experience is not what happens to you. It is what you do with what happens to you.” My role as your academic advisor is to encourage you to value and intensely engage each experience you have at the university, both in coursework and as an integral part of the academic community. I will work alongside you to identify and develop your strengths and interests so you may succeed professionally, intellectually, and creatively during this important time in your life. As an educator and advisor, I consider your progress a collaborative endeavor; together we will develop a path that not only ensures your success at the University at Albany, but also one that supports your development as a critical thinker and engaged citizen of the global community. This will be an exciting and engaging journey, for as Joe Strummer reminds us “The future is unwritten.”

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Rachel Moody - Academic Advisor

“All glory comes from daring to begin.” - Eugene Ware 

I believe that the college experience is a process of exploration, self-examination, and self-actualization.  You learn as much about yourself as you learn about the world.   As an advisor, my role is to support you though this amazing academic journey. Together, we will explore your personal and career goals. We will discuss different academic pathways and the university support services available to help you succeed. As you become an increasingly independent learner, you will not be alone.  I am here to encourage and mentor you along the way.

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Luis Paredes - Academic Advisor

“The only thing to do with good advice is pass it on. It is never any use to oneself.”- Oscar Wilde

My role as an academic advisor is to guide and help students achieve their goals, explore their potentials, interests, and talents and better develop their academic values. College is a once in a lifetime experience that will engage you in many accomplishments and changes. Those experiences will live forever through many friendships and relationships.

I believe in understanding the attitudes and perceptions of every student and analyzing their caliber. Individual prosperity and well-being will empower your academic path and success. My educational background is in history, literatures and cultural studies—though, I share many ideas and perspectives. I look forward to meeting you; my door is always open.

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Emily Sutherland - Academic Advisor

College is an exciting time of growth and exploration! As your academic advisor, I hope you will see me as a resource for information and source of support on your journey toward graduation. I enjoy working with students from a great variety of backgrounds and will help you explore your unique interests and goals. I strive to make my office a welcoming environment where you will feel comfortable discussing your challenges, accomplishments, and dreams. My own studies have focused on languages, which inform my approach to advising by giving me an appreciation for listening and communicating well. Please don’t hesitate to contact me whenever you have a question or concern.

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Kristen Swaney - Academic Advisor

College may be the first time in your life that you get to choose what you want to learn about, so take advantage of the opportunity! I am here to be a resource and advisor to you during your first few years at Albany, and I want to help you take ownership of your college education. I will not make decisions for you, but I will help you to set short term and long term goals for your educational career.

Everyone has their own strengths, interests and life perspectives – and I treat each of my students as unique individuals.  I am very student-centered and want to help you make the most of your time in college – academically, personally and professionally. I have a BA in Anthropology/Sociology, and a Master’s degree in College Student Affairs, and I love working with college students.

Kristen received the Academic Advising Excellence award from the National Academic Advising Association, Region 1, 2009.

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Donna LaHue - Administrative Assistant