Finding Your Advisor

Dr. Leah Alviar is the Senior Director of the University Advising Center. She earned a Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis in Organizational Leadership from UIW, an M.A. in Counseling from UTSA, and a B.S. in Generic Special Education from OLLU. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor, private practice owner, and certified professional school counselor with over 23 years of counseling experience. Dr. Alviar has held leadership roles in local, regional, and state counseling organizations, is a published author, has presented at local, state, and national conferences and served as editor for student dissertations and various professional publications.

Before coming to UIW, she served as the Director of the Center for Teaching Excellence at OLLU, Blackboard administrator, instructional designer, adjunct professor for the M.A. in Counseling program, Director of Field Experience, and assistant professor of education. She has over 17 years’ experience teaching university students in both the online and face-to-face environments and has authored, designed and taught courses at the undergraduate and graduate level for over 18 years.

Dr. Alviar can be reached by email lalviar@uiwtx.edu or by phone (210) 805-5814. Her office is located in the Student Engagement Center, suite 3120.

Gloria Ramos-Cortes serves as the Director of the University Advising Center. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Business Administration with a concentration in Management, along with her Master of Business Administration degree from Texas A&M University-San Antonio. She has been advising for over ten years and an administrator in Higher-Education for over fifteen.   

Ms. Ramos-Cortes can be reached by email at: gcramos@uiwtx.edu or by phone (210) 829-3927. Her office is located in the Student Engagement Center, suite 3120.

Janie Rios serves as the administrative assistant for the University Advising Center. 

Ms. Rios can be reached by email at: jarios1@uiwtx.edu or by phone (210) 805-5814. Her office is located in the Student Engagement Center, suite 3120.

Kristen Bates serves as the Senior Athletics Academic Advisor in the University Advising Center. Kristen received her Bachelor of Arts in Speech Communications and Master of Science in Education Degree in Sports Management from Baylor University. Kristen is also a former volleyball student-athlete and played Division I at Baylor.

Ms. Bates can be reached by email at: kbates@uiwtx.edu or by phone at (210) 283-6338. Her office is located in the Cardinal Village, Portable #103.

Sydnee Palade is an alumna of the University of Minnesota where she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Sport Management. Sydnee was a Teaching Assistant in the College of Education and Human Development at UMN and is pursuing her Master of Arts in Adult Education at the University of the Incarnate Word.

Ms. Palade can be reached by email at: palade@uiwtx.edu or by phone at (210) 283 6337. Her office is located in the Cardinal Village, Portable #103.

Hailey Patke serves as the Student-Athlete Development Coordinator and an Athletic Academic Advisor.  Hailey obtained her Bachelor of Science in Athletic Training from Duquesne University and her Master of Science in Sport Administration from University of Cincinnati.  Hailey was also a Graduate Assistant at the University of Miami.  She has worked in Education and Athletics for eight years.  Hailey currently serves as the SAAC Advisor and lead facilitator of the Student-Athlete Development Cabinet.   

Ms. Patke can be reached by email at hfields@uiwtx.edu or by phone at (210) 829-3926.  Her office is located in the Cardinal Village, Portable #112.   

Haley Ayres serves as a Business Advisor for the H-E-B School of Business and Administration. She received her Bachelor of Arts in English from Washburn University in Topeka, Kansas and her Masters of Education in Workforce Development Education from the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville, Arkansas.

Ms. Ayres can be reached by email at: ayres@uiwtx.edu or by phone (210) 930-8014. Her office is located in the Gorman Business and Education Center, room 105.

Heather is originally from Tucson, Arizona, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Communications at the University of Arizona. Heather joined the University of the Incarnate Word in 2008 as a Financial Aid Advisor at the Broadway Campus. During that time, she received a master’s degree in Education, with a concentration in Student Services from UIW in 2016. In her spare time, Heather enjoys trips to the coast and exploring Texas State parks.

Ms. Miller can be reached by email at: hkmiller@uiwtx.edu or by phone at (210) 805-5828. Her office is located in the Gorman Business and Education Center, room 105.

Megan York is an alumna of the University of the Incarnate Word, earning a Master of Education degree in Student Services in Higher Education. She is also a former student-athlete and alumna of Texas State University in San Marcos, Texas where she received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing. Megan also completed two years of athletics competition and her Associate in Science degree at Des Moines Area Community College in Boone, Iowa.

Ms. York can be reached by email at: homan@uiwtx.edu or by phone at (210) 841-7238. Her office is located in the Student Engagement Center, suite 3120.

Daniella Dendy serves as the Academic Advisor for the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology from UTSA with a background in coaching, and a Master of Arts in Adult Education and Training from the University of Phoenix-San Antonio. She has advised for six years and an administrator in Higher-Education for over ten. Her passion is to support and help students meet their education goals. 

Ms. Dendy can be reached by email at: ddendy@uiwtx.edu or by phone (210) 805-3023. Her office is located in the Student Engagement Center, suite 3120.

Craig Kilgore serves as the Academic Advisor for the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences assisting students pursuing a degree in Cultural Studies.  In addition, he serves as the Student Success Coach. He received his Bachelor of Arts in English from Texas A&M University and his Master of Arts in Higher Education & Student Affairs Leadership from the University of Northern Colorado.  He has experience in student development, career services, and program development, and is excited to use his skills and talents to ensure students are performing to the best of their abilities in and out of the classroom.

Mr. Kilgore can be reached by email ckilgore@uiwtx.edu or by phone  (210) 283-6321.  His office is located in the Student Engagement Center, suite 3120.

Daniella Dendy serves as the Academic Advisor for the Dreeben School of Education. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Kinesiology from UTSA with a background in coaching, and a Master of Arts in Adult Education and Training from University of Phoenix-San Antonio. She has advised for six years and an administrator in Higher-Education for over ten. Her passion is to support and help students meet their education goals. 

Ms. Dendy can be reached by email at: ddendy@uiwtx.edu or by phone (210) 805-3023. Her office is located in the Student Engagement Center, suite 3120.

Charles Puente serves as the Academic Advisor for the School of Math, Science and Engineering. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio and has begun graduate school at Our Lady of the Lake University. He has served in various roles in higher education and student success for over 10 years.

Mr. Puente can be reached by email at: cepuente@uiwtx.edu or by phone (210) 805-5831. His office is located in the Student Engagement Center, suite 3120.

Karina Johnson serves as the Biology Advisor. She received her Bachelor of Business Administration in Management from Florida International University in Miami, Florida. Karina has extensive advising experience as well as student affairs in higher education.

Karina can be reached by email at: kkjohns1@uiwtx.edu or by phone (210) 829-3863. Her office is located in the Student Engagement Center, suite 3120.

Dora Garner is the Academic Advisor for the School of Media and Design. She is an alumna of UIW, completing her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology of Organizations and Development in August 2005 and her Master's in Education in December 2017.

Ms. Garner can be reached by email at: dgarzatr@uiwtx.edu or by phone (210) 805-3004. Her office is located in the Joyce Building, room 107.

Maryssa is a first-generation college student and is an alumna of UIW, completing her Bachelor of Arts in Child and Adolescent Psychology in 2016 and is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree from UIW. Prior to becoming an Academic Advisor, she was a Senior Transfer and Graduate Admissions Counselor with the UIW Office of Admissions for 5 years.

Ms. Farias can be reached by email at mabustam@uiwtx.edu or by phone at (210) 283-6322. Her office is located in the Nursing Building, room 112.

For students pursuing the following majors: Community Health Education, Healthcare Sciences, Kinesiology, and Nuclear Medicine.  Please reach out to the UAC at (210) 805-5814 or advising@uiwtx.edu if you have questions related to Health Professions programs. 

Kelsey joined the FSOP as the Pre-Pharmacy Counselor/Advisor. She received her B.S. in Biology from the University of Idaho and her M.S. in Conservation Science from Green Mountain College. She is currently wrapping up her Ph.D in Natural Resources-Ecology from the University of Idaho (expected graduation is May 2022). She served as an Academic Advisor at the University of Idaho in the College of Natural Resources, advising for all majors.

Kelsey is an active member of the National Academic Advising Association (NACADA) and the Texas Association of Advisors for the Health Professions (TAAHP). She loves working with students and watching them grow as they pursue their educational goals and beyond. In her free time, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her husband and their dogs, and dedicating Sundays to watching football.

Ms. Jutila can be reached at jutila@uiwtx.edu or by phone at (210) 883-1064.

Dave Kincaid serves as the Director of Academic Success for the Rosenberg School of Optometry. In this role, he is responsible for advising undergraduate Vision Science majors as well as working with the professional optometry students. Dave graduated with a BA in English from Baylor University and a MS in Student Affairs Administration in Higher Education from Texas A&M University. He has worked in several capacities in higher education for over 20 years, including 13 years of academic advising.

Mr. Kincaid main office is located at the Rosenberg School of Optometry, but he will be in the Chapel Building, room 14 once a week to see students on the main campus. When on the main campus, he can be reached by e-mail at dkincaid@uiwtx.edu.