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Meet Our Team

COAS Advising Administrative and Advising Team

  • David Brandt headshot

    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.

  • Althessa Jones headshot

    Althessa Jones

    Academic Programs Coordinator

    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.

  • Carl Anderson headshot

    Carl Anderson

    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.

    (West Entrance) Albertson's Library Room 152
    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.

  • Leslie Carlson headshot

    Leslie Carlson

    Senior Academic Advisor

    Education/Background: 

    In Progress: Masters in Leadership and User Research
    Bachelor of Science, Secondary Education with specifications in Math and Art

    Advice for Boise State Students:

    Seize the amazing opportunities Boise State has to offer. Building a network helps build your future.

    Ask Me About:

    My dachshunds or the last music festival I attended.

    (West Entrance) Albertson's Library Room 152E
    Education/Background: 

    In Progress: Masters in Leadership and User Research
    Bachelor of Science, Secondary Education with specifications in Math and Art

    Advice for Boise State Students:

    Seize the amazing opportunities Boise State has to offer. Building a network helps build your future.

    Ask Me About:

    My dachshunds or the last music festival I attended.

  • McKayla Erikson headshot

    McKayla Erikson

    Academic Advisor

    Education/Background: 

    In Progress: Masters of Science in Academic Advising
    Bachelor of Science, Marriage and Family Studies

    Advice for Boise State Students:

    Register when you can so that you can get into your desired courses. If you are given a certain registration date, don’t wait. Take advantage of having the priority registration and get into the courses needed for your degree.

    Hobbies and/or Interests:

    I enjoy camping, hiking, watching movies/shows, snowboarding, and reading.

    (West Entrance) Albertson's Library Room 152B
    Education/Background: 

    In Progress: Masters of Science in Academic Advising
    Bachelor of Science, Marriage and Family Studies

    Advice for Boise State Students:

    Register when you can so that you can get into your desired courses. If you are given a certain registration date, don’t wait. Take advantage of having the priority registration and get into the courses needed for your degree.

    Hobbies and/or Interests:

    I enjoy camping, hiking, watching movies/shows, snowboarding, and reading.

  • Bri Funderburg headshot

    Bri Funderburg

    Academic Advisor

    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.

  • Erin Gardner

    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.

    (West Entrance) Albertson's Library Room 152C
    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.

  • Boise State letter mark

    Kailey Johnson

    Academic Advisor

    Education/Background:

    In Progress: 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:

    In Progress: 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!

  • Nick Lotspeich headshot

    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.

  • Sarah Rose headshot

    Sarah Rose

    Academic Advisor

    Education/Background: 

    In-Progress: Bachelor of Arts, Visual Arts, minors in Linguistics, Neuroscience, and Anthropology
    Masters of Arts, Rhetoric & Composition – Research: ecological feminist rhetorics
    Peace Corps Volunteer: Panama, Community Environmental Conservation
    Bachelor of Arts, Environmental Studies – Research: bird community structure of highland Equatorial Guinea

    Advice for Boise State Students:

    Remember that you are the only person that defines what your success looks like. Honor your unique strengths and invest in yourself.

    Fun Fact About Me:

    I spent five years working internationally and settled in Boise because I love the people and the land. I adore hiking with my dog Meeko and collecting regional cookbooks. The best part of my day is working with Boise State students.

    Education/Background: 

    In-Progress: Bachelor of Arts, Visual Arts, minors in Linguistics, Neuroscience, and Anthropology
    Masters of Arts, Rhetoric & Composition – Research: ecological feminist rhetorics
    Peace Corps Volunteer: Panama, Community Environmental Conservation
    Bachelor of Arts, Environmental Studies – Research: bird community structure of highland Equatorial Guinea

    Advice for Boise State Students:

    Remember that you are the only person that defines what your success looks like. Honor your unique strengths and invest in yourself.

    Fun Fact About Me:

    I spent five years working internationally and settled in Boise because I love the people and the land. I adore hiking with my dog Meeko and collecting regional cookbooks. The best part of my day is working with Boise State students.

  • Nancy Tacke headshot

    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.

    Hobbies and/or Interests:

    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.

    Hobbies and/or Interests:

    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!