Meet the Staff of Academic Advising

Staff Directory

To contact any of the staff members of Academic Advising, please call (319) 273-3406 or email the individual staff member (address provided with each staff member's bio).


Jane Fritts (Jane.Fritts@uni.edu)

Hi! I’m Jane Fritts and I am the departmental secretary for Academic Advising office. I assist with the programs and events sponsored by the office as well as the day-to-day operations of the office. I enjoy working at UNI and love working with our students.

My husband and I are UNI alumni and our son and daughter are currently UNI students.

I am a big Panther Fan and enjoy attending UNI athletic events. I also enjoy traveling, shopping, good movies, spending time with family, friends and of course our granddaughter. I'm also a die-hard Cubs Fan!








Melissa (Mel) Iverson (Melissa.Iverson@uni.edu)

Welcome to UNI! My name is Melissa (Mel) Iverson and I am an Academic Advisor in Academic Advising.

I graduated with a degree in Mass Communications, Public Relations from Minnesota State University Moorhead and have a Master's in College Student Personnel from Western Illinois University. I was involved as a resident assistant, complex coordinator, tour guide, and a variety of clubs and organizations in college.

In my free time I love reading, traveling, watching the latest movie, finding a good deal and spending time with my family, friends, and my cat Griffin.








David Marchesani (david.marchesani@uni.edu)

Purple and Gold are the true colors of Iowa! My name is David Marchesani and I am an advisor for deciding majors and freshman Communication Studies majors, as well as the Career Development Coordinator for Academic Advising. I teach the "Career Decision Making" (170:050) class, serve as the webmaster and podcast developer for the office, and am a member of the Faculty Senate.

I graduated with a degree in Accounting and Master’s in Student Affairs from UNI. My UNI student experience included internships in accounting, career services, and the Leadership Studies program. I was involved in summer orientation staff, student alumni ambassadors, and had the privilege of speaking at my commencement ceremony.

My hobbies include attending UNI volleyball, basketball and football games with my wife and three boys. I love to be outside - cooking out, hitting the bike trails, and coach various sports activities for my boys.

 

 

 

Jean Neibauer (jean.neibauer@uni.edu)

Welcome to the University of Northern Iowa. My name is Jean Neibauer and I am the Director of Academic Advising. The office of Academic Advising serves as the academic center for “deciding students” who are exploring majors, students changing majors, and students reassessing their current academic situation. I also serve as the liaison for non-traditional students.

I graduated with a degree in Spanish teaching with a minor in English from Mercy College of Detroit and a Master’s degree in TESOL from UNI. A life-changing experience in college was a service trip to Chiapas, Mexico. This shaped my decision to return to Mexico to work at an orphanage in Cuernavaca.

I enjoy traveling to New York to see my daughter, theatre, shopping, and museums. I have traveled to England, Ireland, Germany, Mexico, Dominican Republic, and Iran. Besides traveling, I love to read, cook, and see good movies.

 

 

 

 

 

Michele Peck (michele.peck@uni.edu)

Welcome to Academic Advising! My name is Michele Peck and I advise deciding majors. I work with Peer Academic Advisors in Residence assisting students explore majors, minors, and certificates, and organizing a variety of programs and resources for deciding majors.

I earned degrees in Special Education and School Counseling at the University of Nebraska - Kearney. I really enjoyed my student teaching placements and counseling internship experiences in my programs. I was involved as a resident assistant, in academic clubs, and the National Student Exchange Program.

I keep myself busy with my hobbies of walking, church activities, traveling to national parks, UNI events, and seeing family all over the United States with my family: Bob, Alison, and Ryan.

 

 

 

 

Heather Birk (birkh@uni.edu)

Welcome to Academic Advising! My name is Heather Birk and I am the Graduate Assistant in Academic Advising. I advise deciding majors, develop career resources, and assist with programs and events on campus such as Orientation, Major Meetings, and the Exploring Majors Fair.

I graduated from UNI with a degree in English and a minor in Professional Writing. While in college, I served as a Peer Advisor In Residence (PAIR) for Hagemann Hall and Bartlett Hall. Through my on-campus work experience and work at a small private college in Northwest Iowa, I developed an interest in careers on a college campus and am now pursuing my Masters in Postsecondary Education: Student Affairs.

I love books and movies, baking, volunteering, and spending time with my friends and family. Sometimes, I even enjoy writing papers for class.

 

 

 

Tony Smothers (anthony.smothers@uni.edu)

Welcome to UNI! My name is Anthony Smothers and I advise transfer students in the Admissions Partnership Program (APP). I will be assisting students transition to UNI from surrounding community colleges participating in the program. I look forward to continue to work with students in academic advising.

I graduated with a degree in Marketing and Master’s in Higher Education from Drake University. I enjoyed college experiences as a resident assistant, student-athlete in football, internship in the Student Development and Learning Center, and participating in many campus events.

My hobbies are my four beautiful children, home improvement projects, and watching college football. The transition to college and majors can be challenging, so use the great resources available at UNI.


 

 

 

Angie Tudor (angie.tudor@uni.edu)

Welcome! My name is Angie Tudor and I advise the deciding freshmen students. I also assist with programs and events on campus such as Major Meetings, Orientation, and Preview UNI.

After earning an AA degree from NIACC, I came in as a transfer student at Northern Iowa and graduated with a degree in Psychology. I continued at UNI to earn a Master's Degree in Student Affairs. I have since enjoyed working in the Student Affairs field with experiences in Advising, Career Services, Orientation and Admissions.

I enjoy movies, watching basketball, shopping, reading, and spending time with family.


 

 

 

Paul Waterman (paul.waterman@uni.edu)

Greetings from UNI’s Academic Advising office! My name is Paul Waterman and I will be working with deciding students and freshmen in Criminology, Geography, History, Political Science, and Social Science Teaching. I will also be working with the Peer Academic Advisor In Residence (PAIR) Program.

I already have seven years of Panther experience as I earned an Elementary Education degree (with Social Studies Teaching and Leadership Studies minors), as well as a Masters Degree in Postsecondary Education: Student Affairs. While I was a student, I worked as a PAIR, Summer Orientation Staff member, Resident Assistant, Student Admissions Ambassador and other various groups. I was also the Residence Life Coordinator in Bartlett Hall and the ROTH Complex while in graduate school.

I enjoy spending my free time playing sports, playing games with family and friends, and attending various campus events. I also like to travel, read, and watch movies.

 

 

We look forward to working with you!