Dean's Undergraduate Advisory Board

Ephraim Amissah
Leadership & Learning Innovation

Why did you choose this major? I chose Leadership and Learning Innovations because I love being able to mentor. I worked in a high school as an advisor for first generation college bound students and I instantly found my dream job.

Why did you want to join the board? As a member of the board, I have the opportunity to be an extension of the student body and make sure that their voices are heard. I want to not only learn leadership skills, but also share experiences of my own. I hope to be a part of a team that brings positive change to the College of Education.

Favorite memory in the COE: My first Student Welcome was a wonderful experience. Even though I was participating as a peer mentor and not a student, I was able to see just how tight-knit the members of the COE are.

Cailin Finney
Deaf Studies major

Why did you choose this major? I chose this major because I enjoy working with children and I am a part of the Deaf community so I want to work in that field.

Why did you want to join the board? I heard about this opportunity from my advisor and thought it was a good opportunity for me to have my voice as a student heard and to be more involved in the College of Education.

Favorite memory in the COE: I would say my favorite memories are from interacting with peers, professors, and those involved in COE. I enjoy learning from my peers and those associated with COE.

Kyle Fisher
Deaf Studies

Why did you choose your major? I chose this major because of my deep passion for providing access and working with the Deaf community. 

Why did you want to join the Board? My motivation to join the Dean’s council stems from a genuine desire to foster inclusivity, advocate for underrepresented perspectives, and contribute to the betterment of our educational system. I am passionate about educational reform and equity and I’m eager to apply what I learned from my Bachelor’s in Special Education and Rehabilitation, as well as my Master’s in Educational Leadership to effect positive change within the College of Education!

Favorite memory in the COE: I attended the Plains Indian American Sign Language conference in December 2023, where influential leaders from across the U.S. came together to document and preserve endangered signs from their tribes. It was extremely powerful.

Brianna Hobbs
Rehabilitation Studies & Services

Why did you choose this major? I chose this major because I want to pursue a career in Physical Therapy and acknowledge that it is important to have a diverse understanding of different types of rehabilitation and disabilities. Additionally, this major allows for me to learn more about how to help others in many different disciplines, which is something I am very passionate about and want to be able to do currently in my undergraduate years and throughout the rest of my future career.

Why did you want to join the board? I wanted to join the board because I wanted to be able to be a voice for my peers in my college. Additionally, I think it is a great opportunity to meet other people in the Rehabilitation Studies and Services major and learn about other student's experiences in the COE. Additionally, it is a wonderful leadership opportunity and a great way to experience working as a team with my peers in order to bring a positive change. 

Favorite memory in the COE: My favorite moment in the COE was my first day in my first Rehabilitation Studies and Services class. It was in SERP455 Rehabilitation and Aging and we went around the class saying what majors we were in and what our future career goals were. It was the first class at the UofA that I was filled with a room of people with career goals similar to or the same as my own. I had finally found a group of people I related to and it felt very comforting knowing this major was going to be right for me. The COE allows students to feel this way due to its tight knit community that exudes kindness and the shared goals of working towards our futures with the support of other students, professors, and faculty. 

Anika Larsen
Elementary Education

Why did you choose this major? I chose this major because I want to be able to give a new perspective on learning and academics to young children. I am aspiring to shed light on academic stress and overwhelm given to student at a young age and hoping to give them not only a reason to keep pursuing their education but enjoying while they have the privilege to do so. 

Why did you want to join the board? I wanted to join the Dean’s Advisory board to give my colleagues a voice in the college. I want to be able to bring in multiple perspectives and opinions in order to better student services campus wide. 

Favorite memory in the COE: My favorite memory at the College of Education is meeting new friends that have the same interests as me and watching them and myself grow into the educators we are aspiring to be. 

Christina Petrin
Rehabilitation Studies & Services

Why did you choose this major? I chose Rehabilitation Studies and Services because I have always had a desire to help the community and make substantial differences. I love serving others and want to use my degree to create policies that help those that struggle with substance use and addiction.

Why did you want to join the board? When seeing the opportunity to join the board and become a voice for the student body, I knew the opportunity was a vital position necessary to student success. I wanted to expand my leadership skills and gain insight into the inner workings of the College of Education to apply that knowledge to other aspects of my professional development.

Favorite memory in the COE: My favorite memory would have to be my first "Haunts, Hounds, and Hoagies" Halloween event. It was a great introduction to the fun activities that the COE has to help support students and encourage them to get involved with their College.

Roarke Poggio
Early Childhood Education

Why did you choose your major? I chose to major in Early Childhood Education because I think early childhood is the most critical time in a person's life to learn!

Why did you want to join the Board? I joined the Dean's Advisory Board to be more involved in the COE and work with other students to make our college experience even better!

Favorite memory in the COE: My favorite memory in the COE was 2022 Admitted Student Day because I loved meeting a ton of future teachers (and UA alumni) and hearing their stories!

Alisa Quero
Early Childhood Education

Why did you choose this major? From a young age, I knew I wanted to work with children. Every experience I had in school only deepened this passion, as my teachers played a significant role in inspiring me. Their dedication, care, and ability to create safe, engaging learning environments made me realize the impact an educator can have on a child’s life. This realization motivated me to pursue Early Childhood Education as I aspire to create similar positive experiences for future generations.

Why did you want to join the board? I’ve always valued being an active member of the academic community, and joining the COE advisory board felt like the perfect opportunity to take that to the next level. I wanted to be more involved in shaping the future of the College of Education by representing student voices, contributing to meaningful discussions, and collaborating with peers and faculty. Being part of the board will allow me to advocate for change, growth, and improvement within the college, ensuring a positive experience for all students.>

Favorite memory in the COE: One of my most cherished memories in the College of Education has been my role as a peer mentor. It gave me the opportunity to form meaningful connections with fellow students, offer guidance, and support others as they navigated their own educational journeys. The sense of community and collaboration I experienced in that role reaffirmed my commitment to this field and made me proud to be part of such a supportive environment.