Meet Our Team

Kaci Kortis
Director
Transfer & Transition Advising Center
E: kaci.kortis@uc.edu
P: 513-556-2187
L: University Pavilion 145, Clifton Campus
About Kaci
Kaci has worked at UC since 2011, in various roles, most recently as an academic advisor in Exploratory Studies. She enjoys helping students find their best path to graduation.

Shea Cummings
Assistant Director
Advisor Training, Professional Development, and Online Resources
E: shea.cummings@uc.edu
L: University Pavilion 130, Clifton Campus
About Shea
Shea has worked in academic advising and student success at UC since 2017. She loved her time as an advisor and is thrilled to be able to use her experience to serve the UC advising community and UC students through training, professional development, and other resources.

Dan Wright
Assistant Director
Transfer & Transition Advising Center
E: daniel.wright@uc.edu
P: 513-556-5548
L: University Pavilion 120, Clifton Campus
About Dan
Dan is a graduate of the University of Cincinnati in 2013 and has worked as an academic advisor in the University of Kentucky College of Arts and Sciences from 2015-2018. He is excited to work with the Transfer & Transition Advising Center team here at the University of Cincinnati, as it offers him the opportunity to continue his research and work on student success at a University that he calls home.

Marcell Crawford
Assistant Director
Advising Equity, Inclusion & Advancement
E: marcell.crawford@uc.edu
P: 513-556-3389
L: University Pavilion 130, Clifton Campus
About Marcell
Marcell is originally from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. He has a bachelor's in Government and Secondary Social Studies Education from William & Mary, and a master's in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Ohio State. Marcell began his higher education career in housing and residence life before transitioning to academic advising. Marcell came to UC in 2019, working as an advisor in the University Honors Program prior to joining the team.

Cole Childers
Sr. Academic Advisor, UC Clifton Campus
E: cole.childers@uc.edu
P: 513-556-9000
L: University Pavilion 120, Clifton Campus
About Cole
Cole is originally from Somerset, Kentucky, and is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University. Cole also worked as a Transfer Advisor at EKU, and most recently worked as the Transfer Admissions Counselor in UC’s College of Education, Criminal Justice, Human Services, and Information Technology. In addition to working with the transfer student community Cole’s career has been focused on service and has included opportunities to serve the Military and Veteran communities both within and outside of higher education.

Nancy Coscia
Sr. Academic Advisor, Clermont Campus
E: nancy.coscia@uc.edu
P: 513-556-2166
L: Student Services Building 235
About Nancy
Nancy is originally from Williamsburg, Ohio, and has returned home to work at UC. Her educational journey included Mars Hill College, the University of South Carolina for a master's in higher education, and Indiana Wesleyan University for a doctorate in organizational leadership. Her career has been focused on higher education and she served in several areas of student life prior to becoming an academic advisor.

Tom West
Sr. Academic Advisor, Blue Ash Campus
E: tom.west@uc.edu
P: 513-558-7723
L: Muntz Hall 125
About Tom
Tom received his Masters degree from the University of Missouri-Kansas City in Higher Education Administration and has been in educational leadership for 30 years. He is making a return to UC (Graduate Program Director at Procter Hall, UC College of Nursing, 1995-99) and looks forward to assisting transfer and transition students at UC Blue Ash. He is a family man, married to Tara for 32 years and has three adult children. Tom loves watching intercollegiate volleyball and is glad to call UC home again.

Megan McCarren
Academic Advisor, UC Clifton Campus
E: mccarrmn@ucmail.uc.edu
P: 513-556-5422
L: University Pavilion 120, Clifton Campus
About Megan
Megan is a UC graduate and a proud transfer student. She spent much of her undergraduate career working with and advocating for transfer students. She is excited to once again use her passion to help Transfer Bearcats feel at home!

Manuela Botaka
Academic Advisor, UC Clifton Campus
E: botakamk@ucmail.uc.edu
P: 513-556-2166
L: University Pavilion 120, Clifton Campus
About Manuela
Manuela grew up in Lexington, Kentucky and is a graduate of the University of Louisville in 2019. Her passions lie in teaching and mentoring. During her time at UofL, Manuela served as a peer mentor helping first-year college students persist and achieve their goals. She is now excited to channel her passions into helping transfer students thrive and find their paths at UC. She enjoys the outdoors, Qdoba, and quality time with family & friends.
Transfer mentors

Ashlyn Garter
P: 513-556-9000
L: University Pavilion 120, Clifton Campus
About Ashlyn
Ashlyn is a senior from Kings Mills, Ohio. She is majoring in Mathematics-SA with plans to attend graduate school for statistics. She transferred from OSU after her second year. She enjoys hiking, running, reading, and watching movies.

Brooklyn Wentz
P: 513-556-9000
L: University Pavilion 120, Clifton Campus
About Brooklyn
Brooklyn is from Avon, Ohio, and is a second-year Chemical Engineering student planning to pursue a minor in Materials Engineering. She just completed her first co-op at Lincoln Electric in Cleveland, Ohio. She is involved in Phi Sigma Rho, a social sorority for engineers. She transferred from George Washington University in Washington, D.C., where she majored in Mechanical Engineering with a concentration in Aerospace Engineering and was committed to play for the women's soccer team.

Carly Kwiatkowski
P: 513-556-9000
L: University Pavilion 120, Clifton Campus
About Carly
Carly is a second-year student from Cleveland, Ohio. She transferred to UC from Ohio State after her freshman year. She is earning her bachelor’s degree in Biology and looking to also get a minor in Spanish. She enjoys lacrosse, jet skiing, and helping transfer students adjust to UC.

Holland Tolliver
P: 513-556-9000
L: University Pavilion 120, Clifton Campus
About Holland
Holland is a fourth-year student from Mason, Ohio majoring in Biological Sciences. She is going to optometry school after she finishes her undergraduate studies. She transferred from Slippery Rock University after her freshman year where she played softball. She loves working out, hanging out with friends, and reading.

Jimmy Tran
P: 513-556-9000
L: University Pavilion 120, Clifton Campus
About Jimmy
Jimmy is an international student from Vietnam. He transferred to UC from Lane Community College in Eugene, Oregon in Fall 2019 and is a freshman in Industrial Design. He enjoys working out in the gym, playing sports, and listen to lo-fi music when working on projects.

Katelyn Dennery
P: 513-556-9000
L: University Pavilion 120, Clifton Campus
About Katelyn
Katelyn is from Dayton, Ohio. She is a Health Science student on the Pre- Physician's Assistant track with a minor in Psychology. She is involved with Club Bowling and 4 Paws for Ability. She transferred from Miami University after her freshman year. She enjoys bowling, hiking, and mentoring peers.

Nikki Carfora
P: 513-556-9000
L: University Pavilion 120, Clifton Campus
About Nikki
Nikki is a second-year student from Dayton, Ohio majoring in Business Analytics with a Spanish minor. She transferred from Indiana University, where she was involved with the IU Track & Field/XC team. She enjoys the outdoors, rock climbing, and being involved in her community.