Meet Your Counselor

Wyatt George Admissions Counselor

B.A. in Politics, Philosophy and Economics, University of Washington Tacoma, 2018

Hometown: Gig Harbor, WA

Favorite place/thing to do in Tacoma: I love going to Point Defiance - there really is so much to do in that area. You can enjoy a walk through the park, or visit the Point Defiance Zoo and Aquarium. Owen Beach is a great place to enjoy a summer day, and you can walk to Point Ruston for dinner and a movie to cap it off. As a history buff, Fort Nisqually is also a really cool spot to visit. 

What was your favorite class in college: I really enjoyed many of my classes at UW Tacoma, but one of my favorites was The American Presidency. It was a fascinating course - we analyzed and discussed the growth of executive power in federal government, the effects of a president's personality on the position and how they affect the economy. 

What do you think makes UW Tacoma special? UW Tacoma is special for many reasons, but the greatest part about it to me is the wonderful sense of community around campus. The smaller size of most classes means students have a much better opportunity to get to know their peers and professors. As a former transfer student from a larger school, this made a huge difference in finding the support I needed to excel academically. The campus itself is incredible as well. The historical buildings that house many of the classes here root the campus in Tacoma's past while exhibiting a sense of its promising future. These aspects really combine to make UW Tacoma special place. 

Erynn Littlefield Admissions Counselor

B.A. in Psychology, Minor in Criminal Justice, University of Washington Tacoma

Hometown: Federal Way, WA

Favorite place in Tacoma: Point Ruston is my favorite place to visit in Tacoma, it is so beautiful and quickly growing. There is so much to do, like renting the bikes and riding down the waterfront, grabbing a quick bite to eat at the many restaurant's over there, or a picnic on the grass.

Favorite class in college: I love psychology and it is hard for me to pick just one class that was my favorite at UW Tacoma. My favorite classes were Biopsychology, where we discovered how our biology plays into who we are and our psyche, Child Development was a favorite of mine because we were able to go and intern at a local daycare and observe the things we were learning in class, in real time. Lastly, Sports Psychology was great because I am a sporty person and it was fun learning and understanding how being active affects the brain.

What makes UW Tacoma special? I think what makes UW Tacoma special is that there is really a place for everyone here. As a person of color it means a great deal to me to see people like me in all types of spaces, especially in leadership roles. It doesn't matter what you look like, it's about who you are inside. I feel like I belong here and I hope you do too. Go Dawgs!

John Langston Assistant Director of Recruitment/Veterans Liaison

B.A. in Sociology/Anthropology, Eastern Oregon University, 2016

M.A. in Communications and Leadership, Gonzaga University, 2019

Hometown: Delray Beach, Florida

Favorite place/thing to do in Tacoma: Camp Colvos Pizza Company. I love a good pizza slice. Campus Colvos has some of the best slices in Tacoma.

What was your favorite class in college: Women, Communication, Leadership

What do you think makes UW Tacoma special: UW Tacoma is continuously growing. You can instantly feel the community and those who are ready to support and help students achieve their goals both academically and professionally. UW Tacoma is diverse and inclusive and offers students opportunities to further their goals and success.

Brian Burhenn Pierce College-to-UW Tacoma Transfer Advisor

B.A. in History/Political Science, Vanguard University of Southern California, 2007

M.A. in Teaching,  Seattle Pacific University, 2015

Hometown: Auburn, WA

Favorite place/thing to do in Tacoma: Whether it's sitting by the water at Narrows Brewing on a sunny day or around the fire put in the snow at Camp Colvos, I love visiting all of the different breweries around town and learning the history of brewing in Tacoma. UW Tacoma sits adjacent to the historic Brewery District, now home to 5 local breweries. 

What was your favorite class in college: Constitutional Law. We studied the Supreme Court and some of their major rulings while evaluating different styles of interpretation of the Constitution from the various justices over the course of the history of the Court. We also looked at current cases being argued before the Court. We got to write our own case briefs and then as a class were split up as either advocates for the Petitioners or the Respondents or as Justices of the Supreme Court and held our own oral arguments in class.

What do you think makes UW Tacoma special: UW Tacoma is special because of its connection to the history of our area and its continued commitment to being an urban serving university. Most of our buildings on campus are in old historical buildings and the school has done a great job of maintaining the knowledge of that history. We are also located in the heart of downtown Tacoma, so it's great having this vibrant little community and campus tucked into this area where we can build great connections to the local community around us. 

Brian works with transfer, international and Running Start students who attend Pierce College. 

Peter Vleck Returning and Adult Student Recruitment Specialist

B.A. in History, University of Puget Sound, 2013

Hometown: Olympia, WA

Favorite place/thing to do in Tacoma: Rainiers games in the summer and breakfast burritos from Memo's.

What was your favorite class in college: US Foreign Policy

What do you think makes UW Tacoma special: A beautiful campus in the heart of Tacoma, and the fact that it's a diverse, accessible institution that truly serves the people of the South Puget Sound. 

Peter will be taking appointments very soon!

Navia Winderling Assistant Director of Admissions - Marketing & Communications

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.

Megan Cooley Associate Director of Admissions

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.

Megan oversees our admissions advisors and campus visitation team. She works closely with high school counselors and other guidance professionals.