Undergraduate Advising
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The College of Health Sciences’ undergraduate academic advisors deliver comprehensive services to students interested in health sciences. In addition to academic planning, our advisors help students to navigate life at University of Delaware by connecting students to such campus resources as career advising, tutoring and skills building, internships, and physical/mental health resources.
Undergraduate advising directory
Emily Barefoot (she/her) is a caring and approachable academic advisor who works with her students to help them succeed academically and flourish personally. She holds a Bachelor of Social Work from Christopher Newport University and a Master of Arts in Counseling from Liberty University. Emily is dedicated to creating a welcoming, inclusive, and supportive space that emphasizes mental health and wellbeing for her students. She makes it a point, in each advising appointment, to celebrate students’ achievements and check in with them about the personal challenges they may be experiencing, ensuring that she is connecting them to resources that will help them grow.
Emily’s passion for helping others translates directly into her involvement in her community. She is often found spending time outside with her kids and taking her dog Bo for walks. With a passion for good coffee, some may call her a coffee connoisseur. Though, admittedly, she is partial to Little Goat in Newark.
Julie Carney-Jones (she/her) is originally from the Philadelphia area and joined UD and the College of Health Sciences in November 2021. Ms. Carney-Jones is a proud alumna of UD, having earned her Master of Education in Student Affairs of Higher Education here. She has worked in the academic advising field for over twenty years and at a variety of public and private universities between Virginia, DC, and Pennsylvania. Being a student-centered professional, Julie is passionate about empowering students and promoting their holistic development. Her commitment to students is seen in how she develops relationships through intentional support, encourages accountability, teaches reflective strategies to assist in creating self-awareness and a growth mindset. Julie is also committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, having served on the CHS social justice committee for two years, participating in workshop education for its faculty and staff on a variety of topics. As a lifelong athlete, she played lacrosse and field hockey during her undergraduate years at Drexel University, and continues pushing her limits in sports in the arena of triathlon. When not at work, you can find Julie spending time with her family, gardening, reading, and likely exercising.
Ben Goldman (he/him) is a passionate educator who strives to deliver personalized and consistent academic advising to all of his students. Mr. Goldman believes in a student-centered advising model that is geared toward all aspects of the student's academic and personal development.
Ben is also passionate about social justice and pursuing equity within academic spaces. He has served on his college's social justice committee and helped develop their bystander intervention training. Ben was formerly a freelance drummer and touring musician, and in his spare time, he still maintains a small teaching studio and performance schedule. Ben is a proud alumnus of UD, having received his Master of Music in Performance here. Ben also holds a Master of Education in Policy from University of Illinois, where he focused on international music and arts education in conflict zones.
Rita Ninarello (she/her) is originally from Torino, Italy. Rita migrated to Philadelphia with her family as a young adult. She is fluent in Italian and loves to visit her friends and family in Italy as often as possible. Her experience as an immigrant coupled with years of experience in higher education helps her to understand the challenges and opportunities first generation and traditional students encounter during their college careers. Rita holds a Bachelor of Business Administration and a Master of Education from Temple University.
As an academic advisor, Rita takes a holistic approach to student support, providing personalized guidance tailored to each student's unique needs and aspirations. She’s dedicated to fostering a supportive and inclusive environment where students feel empowered to explore their interests, navigate academic requirements, and pursue opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Outside of work, Rita enjoys cooking, baking biscotti, gardening, and yoga.
Natalie Zettle (she/her) is a lively and motivated advisor that works to deliver compassionate and personable advising appointments to her students. She is driven by ensuring students feel listened to and cared for while working through students’ academic and personal development in their time at the University. Natalie is equipped and knowledgeable in the Health Sciences field utilizing her Undergraduate degree in Biobehavioral Health and Master Degree in Educational Leadership – College Student Affairs.
Natalie is known for having a bright spirit and enjoyable presence. Her fun and loving personality is derived from her many hobbies and recreational activities. Natalie thoroughly enjoys walking her adorable husky Guess, cheering on all types of sports teams, and spending time at the beach with her family! You can also catch Natalie trying fun new coffee shops around the Newark area. It is clear that Natalie is not only passionate about advising and student success, but she works hard to make sure students have an upbeat advising experience filled with laughter, careful consideration, and a memorable professional relationship.
Susan Coffing
303F Willard Hall
Susan Coffing (she/her) has been an academic advisor in the College of Health Sciences for over 14 years, having moved to the academic arena in a second career after serving as the Corporate Treasury Manager and Assistant Vice President of PNC Bank, Delaware in a previous life. She earned both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees at UD, the latter in Higher Education Counseling. She has worked in a variety of areas within UD including Athletics, Psychology, Morris Library, Behavioral Health and Nutrition and is currently in Medical and Molecular Sciences.
Sue's primary approach to advising is to incorporate the appropriate balance of support and challenge to encourage students' interpersonal development, sense of individual capability and accomplishment.
When not meeting with students, Sue enjoys spending time with family (including her four UD-alumni children), camping, fitness, going to Phillies games, being outside and playing with her two Havanese pups.
Lori Mayhew
109 Carpenter Sports Building
Lori Mayhew (she/her) is an academic advisor in Health Behavior and Nutrition Science where she advises students with over 60 credits completed. Lori has an undergraduate degree and a Master’s degree in Education from the University of Delaware. She has over 8 years of experience advising undergraduate students in several different majors. She strives to support students in achieving their educational goals and to help students graduate in 4 years.
Christine Taggart
227 Tower at STAR
Christin Taggart (she/her) has been with UD’s KAAP Department as an academic advisor since 2019 and appreciates most about her role meeting and getting to know students. She enjoys offering academic guidance, discussing career goals, helping students see their potential, and learning about each person’s unique qualities. Advising students allows her the opportunity to create trusting and honest relationships where undergrads feel valued and safe! As a proud alumna of UD, she wants to ensure each student can have a positive and worthwhile experience during their time here. Outside of work, Christin enjoys time with her family and German Shepherd, Finn, who you may meet on Zoom! She maintains a healthy lifestyle by running and going to the gym but will never turn down fries and nachos!
Shayla (Shy•la) Crawford-Hymon (she/her) is originally from Northern New Jersey and joined UD in June of 2023. Shayla received her BA in Family Science & Human Development from Montclair State University, and her MEd in Higher Education from Temple University. Shayla is passionate about student success both academically and personally. Shayla enjoys interacting with students to ensure that they know she is beyond their Academic Advisor, but a genuine supporter of theirs. Having received a certificate in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, Shayla is passionate about representing underrepresented students in student life and academia. If you can not find Shayla at work, then you can find her in North Jersey spending time with her friends and family.
Zack Jackson (he/him) is a proud UD alumnus who joined the School of Nursing in 2016. He earned his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Political Science, with a focus on twentieth century political theory and American Politics and a thesis focused on the justifications of state violence in liberal societies. He is currently enrolled in UD's doctoral program in Educational Leadership, with specific interest in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice issue engagement amongst faculty and staff members in institutions of higher education. He has also been teaching for the Department of Theatre and Dance since 2012, where he focuses on the intersection of politics and theatre performance. As an academic advisor, Mr. Jackson is committed to developing resilience and a growth mindset in his students, as well as encouraging them to become responsible for charting their own paths. He consults on various committees for the School of Nursing, is a member of the College of Health Sciences' subcommittee on Social Justice Education, and serves as a scriptwriter and performer for the Healthcare Theatre program. Outside of UD, Zack is an active member of the theatre community, where he acts, directs, and serves as Treasurer for Chapel Street Players. He also enjoys tennis, pickleball, going to the movies, trying new foods, and board games.
UNDERGRADUATE ADVISING RESOURCES
ADDITIONAL LINKS
Connect
Tower at STAR: 100 Discovery Blvd, Newark, DE 19713<br> Health Sciences Complex: 540 S. College Ave, Newark, DE 19713 chs-info@udel.edu Phone: 302-831-1060