Meet Your Advisor

Janet De La Cruz Admissions Advisor

B.A. in History and Literature, Pacific Lutheran University, 2016

MPA, Evergreen State College, 2021

Hablo Español

Hometown: Tacoma, Washington

Favorite place in Tacoma: My favorite place in Tacoma is the Grand Cinema. This is a great place to watch independent, foreign, and local films while having the best popcorn in town!

Favorite class in college: The Art of Brevity: Latin American Short Story Narratives

What makes UW Tacoma special? One of my favorite things about UW Tacoma is the community on and off campus. Students, faculty, staff and surrounding community have created an inclusive environment where it is easy to feel welcome and supported.

Territories:
Prospective Freshmen and Running Start students from the following school districts and regions:

• Bethel, Fife, Franklin Pierce, Puyallup, Seattle, Highline, Orting and Tukwila School Districts
• Tacoma and Seattle private schools
• Kitsap County
• Central Washington

Prospective Transfer and Running Start students from South Seattle Community College.

Lindsey Kealoha Tacoma Community College-to-UW Tacoma Transfer Academic Advisor

B.A. in Communication, University of Washington Tacoma, 2016

M.A in Communication, California Baptist University, 2018

Hometown: Federal Way, WA

Favorite place/thing to do in Tacoma:I love visiting Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium!.

What was your favorite class in college: Art Appreciation. When I travelled to Italy it was amazing to walk into historic buildings and stand in front of famous paintings that I had seen in books or on lecture slides. I was able to absorbed what Italy had to offer from a different perspective.

What do you think makes UW Tacoma special: What makes UW Tacoma special is the history, community, and continuous growth. Once you walk on campus you instantly are surrounded by a community of students, faculty and staff who are ready to support you while you continue your academic journey. The campus is diverse, inclusive and offers students an array of opportunities to further their goals and success.

Territories:
Transfer, international and Running Start students who attend Tacoma Community College. Lindsey is at Tacoma Community College Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday and at UW Tacoma on Tuesdays. She is there to help current Tacoma CC students make their way to UW Tacoma.

Mya Kim Admissions Advisor

B.A. in Geographic Information Systems, University of Washington, 2017

Favorite place/thing to do in Tacoma: I really love Ruston Way and the Point Defiance area. These are the places I go to when I really want to disconnect and enjoy my surroundings. Especially on a sunny day Ruston Way and Point Defiance are wonderful places to hang out, get food, and feel lively.

What was your favorite class in college: Special Topics in SE Asia. I identify as a South East Asian American and this class gave me the opportunity to learn the history of my own Cambodian culture along with expanding my skills in the Khmer Language.

What do you think makes UW Tacoma special: The sense of inclusivity you feel when being on this campus. Professors and faculty are dedicated to work with students to succeed in their classes. There are plenty of resources to help students get a sense of belonging academically, culturally, and professionally. UW Tacoma is such a tight-knit campus it makes it easy to network with other professionals and companies around us. The community you create on this campus will definitely set you up for success.

Territories:
Prospective Freshmen and Running Start students from the following school districts and regions:

• Federal Way School District
• Renton School District
• Tacoma School District
• Olympic Peninsula
• Washington Coast
• Southwest Washington

Noelle Wilson Senior Admissions Advisor for Campus Visitation

B.A. in Communication, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), 2005
M.S.W., Mental health and addictions, IUPUI, 2011

Hometown: Indianapolis, Indiana

Favorite place/thing to do in Tacoma: Spend time at Point Defiance Park and the Zoo/Aquarium with my family.

What was your favorite class in college: Western Civilization - the professor made it great!

What do you think makes UW Tacoma special? UW Tacoma is special because of the ability to go to school in an urban setting and all the opportunities that come with that. It’s also special because of the ability to earn a prestigious degree at an intimate campus.

Territory:
Noelle manages campus visitation and events. She supervises our campus ambassadors and works to assure all who visit UW Tacoma have a meaningful experience.

• HIGH SCHOOL: Vashon Island

Navia Winderling Senior Transfer Advisor

B.A. in Communication, University of Washington Tacoma, 2014
M.Ed., Higher and Postsecondary Education, Arizona State University, 2017

Hometown: Steilacoom, Washington

Favorite place/thing to do in Tacoma: Nothing beats a Tacoma Rainier’s game at Cheney Stadium! The stadium has a lot of local food options and it’s just a great place to be on a bright, summer day!

What was your favorite class in college: I took News Writing while at UWT and loved it! The class strengthened my writing skills and gave me insight into what a career as a journalist might look like. We got to take a tour of The News Tribune and chat with some of the writing staff. While in the class I wrote an article about UWT’s Pathways to Promise partnership and got the opportunity to interview our former chancellor.

What do you think makes UW Tacoma special? UW Tacoma is special because of its size. It is such a close-knit campus community. As a student you are able to establish meaningful connections not only with peers, but with faculty , staff, and other community members who engage with UWT.

Territories:
Transfer Students, International Students, and Running Start students attending the following community colleges:

• HIGH SCHOOL: Steilacoom
• Bates Technical College
• Bellevue College
• Bellingham Technical College
• Big Bend Community College
• Cascadia College
• Centralia College
• Clark College
• Clover Park Technical College
• Columbia Basin College
• Edmonds Community College
• Everett Community College
• Grays Harbor College
• Green River College
• Highline College
• Lake Washington Institute of Technology
• Lower Columbia College
• North Seattle College
• NW Indian College
• Olympic College
• Pierce College
• Peninsula College
• Renton Technical College
• Seattle Central College
• Skagit Valley College
• Spokane Community College
• Spokane Falls Community College
• Walla Walla Community College
• Wenatchee Valley College
• Whatcom Community College
• Yakima Valley Community College

Megan Cooley Associate Director of University Recruitment

B.A. in Social Studies Education, Washington State University, 2005
M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration, Washington State University, 2007

Hometown: Maple Valley, Washington

Favorite place in Tacoma: Tacoma coffee shops! Anthem, Metronome, Valhalla, Blue Beard. . . On warm and cold days, I know the coffee shops of Tacoma can all give me a hug in a cup.

Favorite class in college: History of American Immigration

What makes UW Tacoma special? UW Tacoma is empowering, sassy, and dedicated. We care and give with everything we have. We help our neighbors, we celebrate together, we weep together. UW Tacoma is the definition of “Community.” I love it here.

Territories:

Megan oversees our admissions advisors and campus visitation team. She works closely with high school counselors and other guidance professionals. In addition, she assists the following students:

• Tahoma High School
• Out of State Students