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2024-2025 University Catalog
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Brooks College of Health Academic Advising

Office Location: Building 39, Room 2031
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 8am-5pm (call for available walk-in advising hours or to schedule an appointment)
Phone: (904) 620-2812
Email: cohadvis@unf.edu

Undergraduate Academic Advising

Bruce Turner, B.A.E, M.P.A., Interim Director, Academic Advising
Debbie Kochanowski,  B.A., M.Ed., M.S.H., Associate Director
Sara Brochu, M.Ed., Assistant Director
Emily Schroder, M.S., Online Program Senior Academic Advisor
Kianna Buehler, B.A., Academic Advisor
Connor Dougan, B.A., M.A., M.B.A.,  Academic Advisor
Leah Maloney, B.S.H., M.P.H., Academic Advisor
Courtney Stevenson, M.C.M., Academic Advisor
Brittany Heimer, B.A., Coordinator
Nancy Fishkin, Administrative Assistant

Advising Mission

The Brooks College of Health Advising Office takes a proactive approach in serving all student populations interested in the health field. By advocating and collaborating with all University resources the advising office will assist students in building strong academic and personal skills. Advising will provide personalized and developmental advising geared to assist students academic and career goals. In addition, Advising promotes independent decision-making skills that develop competent individuals.

Advising Philosophy

We strive to guide you towards your academic goals by providing information, references, and advice; however, we will not make your choices for you. Advising is an engaging process between the advisor and the advisee where ultimately you are in full control of your educational experience. We are your resource to help you succeed.

Advisor responsibilities:

To support the core values of the UNF advising program, advisors will…

  • Demonstrate professionalism and empathy towards their advisees
  • Assist students in understanding the purposes and goals of higher education and its effects on their lives and personal goals
  • Encourage individualistic goals and decision making
  • Initiate motivation and ambition for development and self-improvement
  • Be knowledgeable of policies, procedures, student services and reference information
  • Recommend social and academic extra-curricular organizations in addition to applicable campus resources
  • Maintain confidentiality and uphold FERPA Regulations

Graduate

Program Directors

Elissa Barr, Ph.D., Professor & Director, Public Health Program
Michele Bednarzyk, D.N.P., F.N.P., B.C., Associate Clinical Professor & Program Director, Family Nurse Practitioner
Lauren Boardman, D.N.P., M.S.N., R.N., Assistant Professor, Online Program Director
Michelle Boling, PhD, LAT, ATC, Professor & Director, Athletic Training
James Churilla, Ph.D., MPH, RCEP, Professor & Program Director, M.S.H. Kinesiology and Lifestyle Medicine
D. Rob Haley, Ph.D., Professor & Director, Master of Health Administration
Jeffery Harrison, Ph.D., MBA, MHA, FACHE, Professor & Director, Doctor of Health Administration Program
Jamisha Leftwich, DCN, RDN, LD/N, FAND, Director of the FEM Program
Katherine Meuti, D.N.P., C.R.N.A., Assistant Professor & Nurse Anesthesiology Assistant Program Director
Sinyoung Park, Ph.D., Program Director, Master of Science in Health Informatics
Shyam Paryani, MD, MS, MHA, Director, Executive Master of Health Administration Program
Sherry Pinkstaff, PT, PhD, DPT, Associate Professor & Director, Physical Therapy
Marie Smith-East, Ph.D., D.N.P.,A.P.R.N., PMHNP-BC, Assistant Professor & PMHNP Program Director
Jill Snyder, MS, RDN, LD/N Instructor, Director, MS Nutrition & Dietetics, Dietetic Internship Program, I.S.P.P.
Ryan Shores, D.N.P., C.R.N.A, Assistant Professor - Program Director, Nurse Anesthesiology
Bethanie Simmons-Becil, D.N.P., A.P.R.N., P.M.H.N.P.-B.C., Assistant Professor 
Jenifer Ross, DCN, RDN, LD/N, FAND, Assistant Professor, Graduate Studies Program Director, Doctorate in Clinical Nutrition & MS Nutrition programs
Tes Tuason, Ph.D, Professor & Director- Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Jasper Xu, Ph.D., Professor & Director, Master of Health Administration (MHA)

Graduate students work with their program directors to develop their initial programs of study. The BCH Advising Office is available for advising assistance.