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 at lalviar@uiwtx.edu or by phone at (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, Bachelor of Business Administration in Management, and her Master of Business Administration degrees from Texas A&M University-San Antonio. She has served as an administrator in higher-education for over fifteen years.
Ms. Ramos-Cortes can be reached by email at gcramos@uiwtx.edu or by phone at (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. She has served in higher-education for almost 20 years. Ms. Rios loves meeting our new Cardinals and Cardinal families and makes sure their visit to the UAC is a happy experience.
Ms. Rios can be reached by email at jarios1@uiwtx.edu or by phone at (210) 805-5814. Her office is located in the Student Engagement Center, suite 3120.
Kristen Bates serves as the Assistant Director of Athletic Academic Advising 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.
Rafferty Kugler serves as an Athletic Academic Advisor in the University Advising Center. Rafferty is an alumna of University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee where she received her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. She was a women's soccer student athlete at University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee as well as University of Kentucky. Currently, Rafferty is pursuing a Master of Science in Organizational Development and Leadership at UIW.
Ms. Kugler can be reached by email at rkugler@uiwtx.edu or by phone at (210) 829-3926. 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.
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 at (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.
Michael Cardenas serves as the Academic Advisor for the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences specializing in arts and humanities. He holds a bachelor's degree in Integrative Studies from the University of North Texas and a Master of Arts in Bicultural Studies from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Mr. Cardenas can be reached by email at micarden@uiwtx.edu or by phone at (210) 805-3023. His office is located in the Student Engagement Center, suite 3120.
For students in this program, please reach out to the University Advising Center by email at advising@uiwtx.edu or by phone at (210) 805-5814.
Michael Cardenas serves as the Academic Advisor for the Dreeben School of Education. He holds a bachelor's degree in Integrative Studies from the University of North Texas and a Master of Arts in Bicultural Studies from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
Mr. Cardenas can be reached by email at micarden@uiwtx.edu or by phone at (210) 805-3023. His 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 at (210) 805-5831. His office is located in Agnese-Sosa, office 115.
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.
Ms. Johnson can be reached by email at kkjohns1@uiwtx.edu or by phone at (210) 829-3863. Her office is located in the Student Engagement Center, suite 3120.
Katherine Kuehne comes to us after recently teaching media arts, commercial arts and yearbook classes at Elma High School in Washington. Prior to teaching, she worked as a graphic designer and illustrator creating art and graphics for eLearning educational software and children’s books. Kuehne completed her BFA in Communication Design and received her EC-12 Art Education teaching certification at Texas State University.
Ms. Kuehne can be reached by email at kkuehne@uiwtx.edu or by phone at (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.
Ms. Hernandez joined the Feik School of Pharmacy as a Pharmacy Counselor/Advisor and was promoted to Assistant Director of Student Affairs in September 2022. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Psychology and a Master's degree in Education with a concentration in Adult Education, both degrees from the University of the Incarnate Word. She began her UIW career in July 2000, initially in the Human Resources Department, transferring to the Advising Center and then the Registrar’s Office before joining the Feik School of Pharmacy in January 2006. She enjoys being part of the UIW community and interacting with the UIW students, faculty and staff members.
Ms. Hernandez can be reached by email at hernand@uiwtx.edu or by phone at (210) 883-1062.
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 or by phone at (210) 283-6854.
Roxanna Nelson has been working at University of the Incarnate Word since 2020 but has been working with health professions students since 2009 in various roles. Her primary focus is helping students find pathways to the health profession of their choice through application mentorship, candidate evaluation, and interactive workshops designed to help students understand health professions more clearly. She also serves as the administrative advisor for the Pre-Student Osteopathic Medicine Student Association and the undergraduate American Medical Women’s Association. Her research interests include first-generation college student success, preparation for health professions students, and curriculum and program development for specialized student populations.
Dr. Nelson received a Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing degree from Texas A&M University in College Station. After a short time working in the business world, she returned to school for a Master of Education in Higher Education Administration and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Adult Learning and Teaching, both at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Dr. Nelson maintains active memberships in both the Texas Association for Advisors of Health Professions (TAAHP) and the National Association for Advisors of Health Professions (NAAHP).
Dr. Nelson can be reached via email at rmnelson@uiwtx.edu or phone/text at (210) 283-6387. Her office is located in the Wellness Center, Room 128.
