International Student Services
Sophia Schuessler, International Student Advisor
Originally from the Midwest, Sophia Schuessler received a bachelor’s degree in German Studies from the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse with a minor in Psychology. Sophia went on to receive her master’s degree in German Pedagogy and Culture from the University of Washington in 2022. While at UW, she was a teaching assistant for beginner-level German courses and during this time developed a passion for helping students learn language skills and better understand German culture.
Academic Technologies
Marie Supanich, Event Services, Administration Team Supervisor
At UW, Marie oversees the administrative operations of the Event Services team housed in Academic Technologies. As a graduate of Ashland University (BS) and Kent State University (MA), she prefers the west coast, having lived in CA, OR, and now WA. She has worked at UW for 10 months and comes with over 13 years of experience on higher education campuses with a pivot from recreation & athletics to venue management. She enjoys adventuring the trails of the PNW or catching a sporting event.
Kyle Hanis, Event Services, Operations Team Supervisor
Kyle Hanis has joined the Event Services team as the Operations Supervisor. Kyle grew up in Renton before going to school at Central Washington University, getting his degree in Communications, and working for the Office of Admissions. He returned to Seattle last year excited to continue working with college students, helping develop them into leaders. Kyle and his wife have loved being back in Seattle, enjoying life with their pup Gracie, checking out new restaurants and coffee shops, and rooting on the Dawgs and the Mariners!
Jessilee Marander, Event Services, Program Coordinator
Prior to joining the UW Event Services team in January 2022, Jessilee worked with multiple theatres both in and out of Seattle as a stage manager and teaching artist. She grew up in southwest Washington, graduated from Western Washington University in 2007, and has lived in Seattle for 15 years. Her hobbies include crafting, listening to an unreasonable number of political podcasts, and spoiling her cat.
Jay Counsell-Torres, Event Services, Program Coordinator
Jay Alvarado Counsell-Torres is the newest member of the Event Services team. Jay has loved his time getting to know the University, the students, and Seattle as he moved to Seattle a little over a year ago. Originally from Zamora, Michoacán, Jay loves connecting with others, getting to be creative in his day-to-day work, art, and food! Jay helps student organizations, UW departments, and external clients through the process of room and event requests. Graduating from Rockhurst University with a degree in Nonprofit Management with a concentration in Fundraising and minoring in Art, Jay is excited to continue growing and developing his skills. Jay and his partner, Aly, make the best Chiles Rellenos in the city.
Sophie Frederick, Operations and Training, Asset and Inventory Specialist
A Californian by birth, Sophie Frederick earned her Master’s in Social Sciences at the University of Chicago in 2017, subsequently working for the University of Chicago Library as a monographic ordering assistant. She relocated to Seattle with her partner and her two cats in July of 2022, joining the Operations and Training team in October. Sophie has enjoyed getting to explore the many eats, hikes, and farmers’ markets Seattle has to offer, and is especially grateful to be back in a city with some topography.
ASA-Information Services
Priya Keefe, Program Operations Analyst
Priya Keefe wanted to write mystery novels when she was a kid. Now she solves mysteries and problems by finding missing information, piecing together the story from the data, and working collaboratively with people. She has a background in teaching, technical writing, and instructional design. Born and raised in Seattle, she now lives in Austin, Texas. She enjoys observing nature, dancing, bike riding, and writing poetry.
Ryan Asbert, Web Developer
Ryan Asbert is very excited to be joining the ASA-IS team after nearly a decade in freelance web development, working with clients such as Microsoft, Starbucks, The Seattle Times, and Underdog Sports. When not working with software and technology, Ryan is a proud member of the local theatre community, having recently performed in It’s a Wonderful Life, Death of a Salesman, and Boeing, Boeing, as well as playing bass guitar in punk-rock band Molotov Juicebox.
Center for Teaching & Learning
Will Darling, Communications Specialist
Will joins the CTL with five now years of experience in communications and marketing. Will’s work history in the corporate and non-profit field informs his overall communications strategy: strategic, evidence-based, and intersectional. His additional experience as a designer and teacher informs his dedication to the CTL’s mission. Outside of his work at UW, Will enjoys cooking, reading, and making jewelry.
Financial Aid
Tanya Krostad, Financial Aid Counselor
After many years away, Tanya Kronstad is very happy to return to the Office of Student Financial Aid at UW. As a Financial Aid Counselor, she appreciates opportunities to advise and assist students and parents. When not at work, Tanya enjoys reading, baking, and spending time with family and friends.
Alithea O’Dell, Financial Aid Counselor
Alithea O’Dell joins the Office of Student Financial Aid from South Puget Sound Community College where she started her career in Financial Aid as a work-study student. Her passion for access to higher education is rooted in her own experience as a non-traditional student, studying printmaking and visual art at Evergreen State College. In her free time, Alithea enjoys going to museums and galleries and exploring all the wonderful food Seattle has to offer.
Zoe Swanson, Financial Aid Counselor
Zoe Swanson began working in Higher Education in 2018 at Shoreline Community College. Zoe is a Seattle native, born to a UW alumnus and a half University of Oregon alumna, which makes every PAC-12 bowl season an eventful one.
Nicole Cantu, our newest program coordinator, joins our team from McKean Defense where she worked with the U.S. Navy as a Program Analyst. Prior to joining UW’s Veteran Education Benefits office, Nicole served in the U.S. Navy for 10 years in the Asian-Pacific and Middle East. Her experience in the U.S. Navy as a training coordinator and career counselor has helped guide many military members in their careers. Nicole’s career path after the Navy continues to serve with the veteran community and is looking forward to advising current and prospective veteran students at UW. Outside of work, you can find her with friends around a campfire or exploring new places around the PNW area.