Advising Center Staff

Kedra Grant-Brinkley, Director, is a first-generation college student and is an alumna of UIW, completing her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing in December 2008 and her Masters of Art in Adult Education in December 2014. Kedra is the Academic Advisor for the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. She advises students pursuing their degrees in Art, Cultural Studies, English, History, Liberal Studies, Music, Music Composition Emphasis, Music Education, Music Industry Studies Emphasis, Music Performance Emphasis, Music Therapy, Pastoral Ministry, Philosophy, Religious Studies, Spanish and Theatre Arts.

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

Dora Garner is the Academic Advisor for the School of Mathematics, Science, and Engineering. 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. Dora advises students majoring in Biochemistry, Broadcast Meteorology, Chemistry, Engineering, Environmental Science, Mathematics, Meteorology, Nutrition, and Statistics.

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

Natalie Hernandez serves as an Academic Advisor for students within the School of Nursing and Health Professions. Natalie received her Bachelor of Science in Sociology from Texas A&M University. She advises students pursuing degrees in Athletic Training, Community Health Education, Kinesiology (all tracks), Nuclear Medicine, and Rehabilitative Science.

Natalie can be reached by email at: nrhernan@uiwtx.edu or by phone at (210) 573-5600. Her office is located in the Student Engagement Center, room 3120.

Kristen Bates serves as an 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.

Kristen serves as the advisor for student-athletes participating in men's basketball and football.

Kristen can be reached by email at: kbates@uiwtx.edu or by phone at (210) 283-6338. Her office is located in the Student Engagement Center, room 3120.

Garrett Hotchkiss serves as an Athletics Academic Advisor in the University Advising Center.

He received his Bachelor of Science in Social Sciences from Central Michigan University. He received a Master of Education in Sports Administration from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio.

Garrett is currently responsible for providing academic support and monitoring student athletes academic progress for fencing, men's soccer, swimming and diving, synchro swimming, tennis, and volleyball.

Garrett can be reached by e-mail at: hotchkis@uiwtx.edu or by phone (210) 283-6328. His office is in the Student Engagement Center, room 3120.

Stephanie Hamilton serves as an Athletics Academic Advisor in the University Advising Center. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies of Social and Behavioral Sciences from Eastern Washington University. She received a Master of Education in Student Development Administration and a Master of Arts in Sports Administration and Leadership from Seattle University.

Stephanie serves as the advisor for student-athletes participating in women's basketball, baseball, golf, softball, women's soccer and track.

Stephanie can be reached by e-mail at: sjhamilt@uiwtx.edu or by phone at (210) 283-6337. Her office is in the Student Engagement Center, room 3120.

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.

Haley serves as the advisor for business administration students pursuing a concentration in International Business, Management, Marketing, Management Information Systems and Sports Management.

Haley 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 206.

Gloria Ramos-Cortes serves as Business Advisor for the HEB School of Business and Administration. Before coming to UIW, she was an academic advisor at Texas A&M University-San Antonio, College of Business for six years. She completed her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management, along with her Master of Business Administration degree from Texas A&M University-San Antonio.

Gloria serves as the advisor for business administration students pursuing a concentration in Accounting, Economics, Finance, General Business and Golf Management.

Gloria can be reached by email at: gcramos@uiwtx.edu or by phone (210) 805-5828. Her office is located in the Gorman Business and Education Center, room 204.

Charles Puente is the advising specialist for the Dreeben School of Education. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and has completed his first set of graduate hours at Our Lady of the Lake University. He has served in various roles in higher education and student success for 10 years.

Charles can be reached by email at: cepuente@uiwtx.edu or by phone (210) 283-6321. His office is located in the Student Engagement Center, room 3120.

Candace joined the Feik School of Pharmacy as the Pre-Pharmacy Counselor/Advisor in 2011. She holds a BA degree in English-Communications, Cum Laude, from Gwynedd-Mercy College, in Gwynedd-Valley, PA and a MA in Communication Arts from the University of the Incarnate Word. She brings several years of experience in college advising and recruiting from community college, public and private university settings. She also taught high school speech-communications. Her heart lies in serving others and contributing to students' success in education.

Mrs. Gonzalez may be contacted via email at cmgonza4@uiwtx.edu or by phone at (210) 829-2703. Her main campus office location is in the Chapel Building, room 14, and she can be reached at the Feik School of Pharmacy every Tuesday 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.

Dave's 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.

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 AT&T Science Building, room 120.

Dr. Rochelle Ramirez currently serves as the advisor for the School of Media and Design. She is also alumna from the University of the Incarnate Word.

Rochelle may be reached by email at rramire2@uiwtx.edu or by phone (210) 805-3004. Her office is located in the Administration Building, room 419.

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.

Megan serves as the Professional Social Science Advisor for the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences. She specifically works with students pursuing majors in Criminal Justice, Government, International Affairs, Psychology and Sociology.

Megan can be reached by email at: homan@uiwtx.edu or by phone at (210) 841-7238. Her office is located in the Administration Building, room 163.

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

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