First-Generation Coalition

The First-Generation Coalition began in 2019 with a group of passionate professionals committed to increasing the awareness of the unique challenges of first-generation students at the University of Nevada, Reno. This group of professionals are devoted to empower first-generation students to thrive at the University and beyond.

A first-generation student is defined as a student whose parent(s)/legal guardians(s) have not completed a bachelor’s degree.

We encourage you to use this website as a tool to find first-generation coalition members across campus as a support network. If you are looking for someone to connect with or simply have a question, feel free to connect with us. We are here to help you achieve academic success at the University of Nevada, Reno.

Mission statement

The First-Generation Coalition is comprised of academic and administrative faculty who are committed to creating positive experiences and advancing first-generation student success.

Purpose

First-Generation Coalition goals:

  • provide services to improve the success of first-generation students
  • plan and implement First Generation Week (week of November 8 every year)
  • share knowledge of successful practices utilized to serve first-generation students
  • secure senior leadership support and commitment to participation
  • increase awareness about first generation population across campus
  • provide and share networking and professional development opportunities
  • educate the University community and the community at large about first-generation student issues and initiatives
  • advocate for first-generation students across campus
  • assist with the recruitment and retention efforts of faculty, staff and students

Coalition leaders

Coalition leaders
James Beattie
James Beattie, Ph.D.
Associate Director, TRIO STEM Scholars
(775) 682-8943
5986
Coalition leaders
Chris Westin
Chris Westin, M.A.
CCAMPIS Assistant Director, CCAMPIS & TRIO Scholars
(775) 682-7779
5986

Coalition members

Ally
Matthew Aguirre
Matthew Aguirre
Director, Graduate Student Services and GSA Senior Advisor he, him, his
(775) 784-4629
JCSU 302
5461
Ally
Becky Arevalos-Mendoza
Becky Arevalos-Mendoza
Northern Nevada Program Coordinator She/Her/Ella
WRB
5461
Ally
Francisco Barbosa
Francisco Barbosa
Senior Project Coordinator
(775) 784-4978
5461
Ally
Emilly Borthwick-Wong
Emilly Borthwick-Wong
Director, University Advising Center
5461
Ally
Steve Calhoun
Steve Calhoun
Director of Advising, Recruitment and Retention, College of Science
(775) 682-8790
5461
Ally Cashier's Office
Shirley Chambers
Shirley Chambers
Manager, Student Accounting
(775) 784-6167
5461 Cashier's Office
Ally
Francisca Crutchfield
Francisca Crutchfield, M.A.
Program Counselor, TRIO Scholars
(775) 784-4665
PSAC 450
5461
Ally
Elizabeth Xeng De Los Santos
Elizabeth Xeng De Los Santos, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Secondary Education
(775) 682-7520
WRB 3113
5461
Ally
Jenna Dewar
Jenna Dewar, M.S., C.F.L.E.
Senior Lecturer she/her/hers
(775) 682-6838
WRB 3014
5461
Ally
Chris Dudash
Chris Dudash
Assistant Director
(775) 784-4978
5461
Ally
Nanci Fowler
Nanci Fowler
Administrative Assistant IV, Student Services First Generation Student Center
(775) 682-7672
5461
Ally
Carla Franich
Carla Franich, M.A.
Program Director, Outreach and Community Relations she/her/hers
5461
Ally
Karen Gallardo
Karen Gallardo
Academic Advisor
(775) 682-7724
TB 101
5461
Ally
Liridian Gamboa Sanchez
Liridian Gamboa Sanchez
Southern Nevada Program Coordinator She/Her/Ella
WRB
5461
Ally
Mitzi Garcia Hernandez
Mitzi Garcia Hernandez
Academic Advisor
(775) 682-8743
OB 211
5461
Ally
Mariluz Garcia
Mariluz Garcia, Ph.D.
Dean's Future Scholars Executive Director
(775) 784-4237
WRB 4117
5461
Ally
Karla Hernández
Karla Hernández, Ph.D.
Associate Director
775-784-4665
PSAC 457
5461
Ally
Ellen Houston
Ellen Houston
Executive Director, Student Services First-Generation Student Center
(775) 682-8404
5461
Ally
Paige Hurley
Paige Hurley
(775) 784-4666
5461
Ally
Eric James
Eric James
Chief of Police
(775) 784-4013
5461
Ally
Osvaldo Jimenez
Osvaldo Jimenez, MBA
Project Manager He/Him/El
WRB
5461
Ally
Mari Jimenez-Ortiz
Mari Jimenez-Ortiz
Project Coordinator
(775) 784-4978
5461
Ally Undergraduate Research; Policy Informatics; Innovation; Research
Tanya Kelley
Tanya Kelley, Ph.D.
Director, Undergraduate Research She, Her, Hers
(775) 682-6634
ARF 304
5461 Undergraduate Research; Policy Informatics; Innovation; Research
Ally
Grace Leal
Grace Leal
Academic Advisor and Coordinator, Pre-professional Advancement
(775) 784-4684
PSAC 405
5461
Ally
Brenda Lopez
Brenda Lopez
Advisor
(775) 682-7764
OB 213
5461
Ally
Jennifer Lowman
Jennifer Lowman, Ph.D.
Director, Student Persistence Research
(775) 682-6844
5461
Ally
William J. Macauley
William J. Macauley, Jr., Ph.D.
Professor
(775) 784-6038
5461
Ally
Joanne Mallari
Joanne Mallari
Program Specialist
(775) 784-6689
5461
Ally
Tamara  Martinez-Anderson
Tamara Martinez-Anderson
Director of Admissions
(775) 682-9450
212
5461
Ally
Melissa McGovern
Melissa McGovern
UCAN Clinic Coordinator
(775) 682-7028
5461
Ally
Matt Miller
Matt Miller
Operations Manager, Joe Crowley Student Union
(775) 682-7409
5461
Ally
Ellen Murphy
Ellen Murphy
Administrative Assistant
(775) 784-4978
5461
Ally
Leslie Nady
Leslie Nady
Chief of Staff, Office of the Provost
(775) 784-1255
5461
Ally
Romando Nash
Romando Nash
Associate Vice President for Student Life Services
(775) 784-1471
5461
Ally
Katie Newman
Katie Newman
Senior Manager, Safety & Human Resources She, her, hers
(775) 682-7046
5461
Ally
Manuel Ortiz
Manuel Ortiz, M.A.
Assistant Director
(775) 784-4237
WRB 4117
5461
Ally
Lauren Parker
Lauren Parker
Academic Advisor, College of Science
(775) 682-6132
OB 207
5461
Ally
Jeimi Picazo Farias
Jeimi Picazo Farias
Project Coordinator
(775) 784-4978
EJCH #203
5461
Ally
John Pratt
John Pratt
Veteran Services Coordinator
(775) 682-8040
5461
Ally
Jhasmine Rae Ambata
Jhasmine Rae Ambata
Academic Success Coordinator
(775) 682-6166
5461
Ally
Kenia Ramirez-Moreno
Kenia Ramirez-Moreno
Program Specialist
5461
Ally
Misty Riddle
Misty Riddle
Assistant Professor she/ her/ hers
(775) 682-7896
FA
5461
Ally
Todd Ruecker
Todd Ruecker, Ph.D.
Associate Professor; Director, Core Writing Program
(775) 682-6404
FH 131C
5461
Ally
Ricky Salazar
Ricky Salazar, M.S.W.
Director of Fraternity & Sorority Life
(775) 682-6846
5461
Ally
Miranda Sanford
Miranda Sanford, M.A.
Academic Advisor
(775) 682-8745
TB 101
5461
Ally
Natalie Servellon
Natalie Servellon
Academic Advisor, College of Science
OB 206
5461
Ally
David Shintani
David Shintani
Vice Provost, Undergraduate Education
(775) 784-1740
5461
Ally
Jennifer Sims
Jennifer Sims
Director
(775) 682-6171
5461
Ally
Alissa Surges
Alissa Surges, M.A.
Senior Lecturer; Interim Director of Undergraduate Studies she, her, hers
(775) 682-6393
5461
Ally
Suzanne Turner
Suzanne Turner
Event Manager, Joe Crowley Student Union she, her, hers
(775) 682-7403
5461
Ally
Noah Walls
Noah Walls
Project Coordinator
(775) 784-4978
5461
Ally
Heather Williams
Heather Williams, M.A.
Associate Director, TRIO Scholars
775-682-8789
5461
Ally
Keola Wong
Keola Wong
Coordinator, Student Advising and Development (API)
5461