Phone: 989.964.4286
dstrasz@svsu.edu

Native son of Reese, Michigan, Dan is the Director of the Academic Advisement Center and alumnus of SVSU, where he holds a B.A. in Political Science and an MEd in Educational Leadership.  While an undergrad at SVSU, Dan was a member of the track team, served on Student Government, and participated in many community service projects.  Dan brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to our office from his previous experiences as a student and from his roles in departments across the sector of Enrollment Management and Student Services.  Prior to serving as Director in our office, Dan worked in a variety of areas on campus including:  Assistant Director of Admissions, Coordinator of Career Services, Coordinator of Freshman Programs, Coordinator of Orientation, and Assistant Director of Academic Advisement.

Dan's community and local parish (Holy Spirit Catholic Church) are very important to him, so you will often find him helping out in the Holy Spirit Food Pantry, or volunteering his time as a football coach for St. Stephen's School, as well as offering his time to Relay for Life and Habitat for Humanity.  On the off-chance that he's not at work or volunteering for his church or community, you may very well find him with a fishing pole, hiking through the woods, or attending a sporting event!

Phone:  989.964.4286
jdc@svsu.edu

Hailing from Bay City, Jeanne is an Academic Advisor who also serves on the Persistence Team to help coordinate student success initiatives.  Prior to calling the Advisement Center "home," Jeanne worked in the College of Education where she filled the roles of Student Teacher Supervisor, Certification Officer, and Adjunct Faculty for education methods and reading courses.  Jeanne has also worked outside the University as an elementary and secondary teacher in several school districts.  She holds an M.A. in Instructional Technology and and M.A.T. in Teaching Reading from SVSU, and has a B.A. in English from Butler University.

Jeanne is always on the go, so when not helping students in the office, she enjoys spending her time walking, bicycling, snowmobiling and reading.  During her career as both a student and professional, Jeanne has encountered many mentors who have inspired her to pursue a career that she really enjoys and to strive to be the best at whatever she does.  Jeanne sums up her sentiments about working in the Advisement Center with a smile, "I enjoy working with an amazing, competent, caring staff and equally enjoy helping students in every way possible to be successful at SVSU.  This is really a great place to be!"

Phone:  989.964.4286
flores@svsu.edu

John is Assistant Director of the Academic Advisement Center and calls Saginaw home.  He is a proud alumnus of Saginaw High School, Delta College (Associate Degree), and Saginaw Valley State University where he earned his B.B.A. in Accounting and his MEd in Educational Leadership.  In addition to advising, John manages the Early Warning Program for at-risk students, and has served SVSU in a variety of roles and offices including the Office of Multicultural Services and Admissions.

John has a strong commitment to his community and his faith, so when not in the office, you can find him volunteering his time and leadership to St. Casimir & George Parish and the Knights of Columbus.  John also devotes his time to his family, football, reading, and Michigan sports (Lions, Tigers, and Pistons).  When asked what he enjoys most about working in the Advisement Center, John says, "Helping people as they work toward earning their degree and the variety of issues and challenges that each person brings."

Phone:  989.964.4286
skhawley@svsu.edu

Sandy is a ten-year veteran of SVSU, and is the first smile you'll see when you walk in the Academic Advisement Center.  As the Administrative Secretary for the office, Sandy serves as the "air traffic controller" at the front desk, so that students find the right person for the right answer.  A professed people person, Sandy loves the fact that she gets to help so many students and has a chance every day to make a difference at SVSU.  Prior to working here, Sandy spent time in SVSU's Cashier's Office and was an artist at Bronner's Christmas Wonderland for several years.  She has also taught tole painting courses out of her home.

Sandy's creative streak goes deep!  After hours, you'll find her gardening, painting, quilting, knitting, and making bead purses.  She even makes her own laundry soap and cans a cornucopia of veggies, salsas, and jams!  When asked what her motivation is for such endeavors, Sandy says, "I love to garden.  I feel closer to God while I'm playing in the dirt, and try to be as green and as frugal as possible."

Phone:  989.964.4286
jmkern@svsu.edu

Janna, Assistant Director of Academic Advisement, hails from the "village" of Reese, and currently resides in Bay City.  A former SVSU student, President's Scholarship recipient, history club and jazz band member, Janna presently manages the Foundation Scholars Program and can be found after hours playing piano for the Theatre Department musicals, oil painting, shooting photographs, or hanging out with her one-eared Maine Coon cat "Bud."  After receiving her B.A. in History from SVSU, Janna worked as an engineering recruiter for GM, Ford, Boeing, and Dow.  Eventually she made it "back home" to SVSU to be an academic advisor, and just returned from a year-long stint as the Study Abroad Coordinator.  She is excited to be back advising students again, and is a current member of the Student Conduct Board and advisor for T.E.A. (Taking Education Abroad).

When asked what makes working at the Advisement Center so special, she says, "Everything!  It's tremendously rewarding when you can help someone along their life's journey, even if it seems miniscule at the time...it still matters."

989.964.4286
mcdonald@svsu.edu

Born and raised in the town of Watrousville, Michigan, Kim returns to the Academic Advisement Center as an Assistant Director after a ten-year stint at the College of Education where she served as the Associate Certification Officer.  While there, Kim advised teachers and prospective teachers on their progress toward certification.  Kim is also a proud alumnus of SVSU and holds both a BA in Secondary English Education and an MA in Teaching--both from SVSU.  Even though she was a commuter student, Kim found time to get involved on campus--she wrote for the Valley Vanguard, worked as a tutor for the English Department, and even had some of her work published in Cardinal Sins!

When not helping students on campus, Kim can be found spending time with her family, painting watercolors, writing, and relaxing on the beach.  Kim still puts those English talents to work, and currently tutors reading and writing to children in her neighborhood.  When asked about a professor or staff member who influenced her the most during her student years, Kim credits several "pillars" of the SVSU community:  "Chris Looney, my first English instructor at SVSU always provided encouragement.  Joe Vogl, my first boss at SVSU, taught me the core principles of being a good employee.  Drs. Basil Clark, Leslie Whittaker, and Ken Wahl were the consummate educators and taught me not only how to write well, but also how to teach!"

989.964.4286
becraine@svsu.edu

Native of "the metropolis" of Whittemore (Cardinals too), Bryan is the Coordinator of First Year Experience and is an Academic Advisor.  In these roles, he supervises the Peer Advisors and the "I'M BOSS" student group on campus.  A graduate of SVSU with a degree in Elementary Education, Bryan was extremely involved in student life--he served as an RA, participated in Alternative Breaks, and was a member of Alpha Phi Omega, Student Association, National Residence Hall Honorary, and the University Foundation Scholars Program.  Bryan landed his first job at SVSU as a Resident Director of the South East Community, and presently serves as a member of the Cardinal Advisory Board, and is the advisor for Alpha Phi Alpha and Forever Red.

When you can't find Bryan on campus, just check the nearest fishing hole, campground, or woods--if that fails, he's likely at an SVSU sporting event!  When asked who influenced him the most during his time at SVSU, Bryan notes, "I had a number of mentors that got me where I am today, not the least of which is Janna Kern, who made sure I was taking the correct courses every year!  Merry Jo [Brandimore] has also been a tremendous mentor for me both during my time as a student and now as a young professional.  My most memorable moment, without a doubt, was planning and winning that first ever Battle of the Valleys!"

989.964.4286
rrfloren@svsu.edu

Originally from Macomb, Michigan, Rachel holds the post of SVSU's Director of Orientation Programs and manages all of what she affectionately refers to as " the acronym programs" (SOAR, TOP, SOAR+, and Fresh Start).  Rachel is a proud alumna of SVSU, where she received her B.A. in Education and is currently working towards her M.A. in Administrative Science.  When Rachel was a student at SVSU, she was also a member of the University Foundation Scholars Program, Alpha Chi Honor Society, Club Red, and a mentor at the Writing Center--just to name a few!  Rachel has also spent some time in the Admissions Office as an Assistant Director, and is currently the Scholarship & Standards Advisor for Alpha Sigma Alpha.

When asked what most influenced her during her college career at SVSU, Rachel cites the completion of a historical research project with Dr. Paul Teed.  "I traveled to fifteen different Civil War battlefields and historic sites, and wrote about the preservation and interpretation of these sites for visitors.  I learned SO much from this experience!"

989.964.4286
ctaimar@svsu.edu

Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Management and Director of Retention, Craig hails from Southgate, Michigan.  Holding a B.A. in History (Secondary Ed), a M.A. in Educational Leadership, and and Ed Specialist Degree in Athletic Directorship (all from SVSU), Craig is no stranger to the classroom and is certainly no stranger to SVSU's commencement stage!  In addition to his life as a student at SVSU, member of Homecoming Court (1999), and Tau Kappa Epsilon, Craig's professional career at SVSU has been similarly filled with a variety of roles in the Admissions Office, where he acted as Assistant and Associate Director.  In his current position, Craig now charges forward to provide students with the resources they need to succeed and graduate.

A new father (to Matteo James), Craig spends his "leisure time" attending SVSU football and baseball games, spending time with his wife and son, and participating in SVSU Cardinal Club Athletics.  When asked who his mentors were in college, Craig mentions, "There are so many great mentors here, but two of my most influential faculty were Dr. Bob Pratt and Dr. Tom Renna--absolutely loved their classes!"