Executive Committee

Doug Pellatz

I am academic advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences who works with students majoring in Data Science, Geology, Mathematics, and Meteorology-Climatology.  I also serve the Math Department as the campus-wide contact for the Math Placement Exam and placement in first-year Math courses.  I have been at UNL pretty much full time as a graduate student or professional since 2009, and I have been in the College of Arts and Sciences since 2013.  During my time in the College, I have worked as a general advisor in the College’s Advising Center and as an assigned advisor both in the College’s Advising Center and from the Math Department.  All of my experience as an assigned advisor has been with students majoring in the sciences, which fits my background.  My undergraduate degree is in interdisciplinary sciences (with an emphasis in atmospheric sciences) from the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, and I have a masters degree in higher education administration from UNL.  I also serve as an RSO advisor to the UNL Chapter of the National Society of Leadership and Success.

I have been pretty active within AAA serving as Chair-Elect (2022-23), Conference Committee Chair (2021-22), Best Practices and Professional Development Committee Chair (2020-21), Treasurer (2018-19 and 2019-20), and Secretary (2016-17).  I have also been a member of NACADA since 2013, and I was a co-chair for the 2023 NACADA Region 6 Conference that was held in Lincoln, NE.  In my free time, you will find me spending time with my wife and our two cats, helping out our families, and playing Dungeons and Dragons.

Rachel Wesley

I’m one of the Assistant Directors in Business Advising and Student Engagement (BASE). I started at UNL as an Academic Advisor in 2016. In the College of Business, Advisors work with students in all our majors and minors. Outside of Advising, I also provide oversight to the Business Recognized Student Organizations (RSOs), act as sponsor for the Business Learning Communities, work with college partners on events and lead assessment efforts for BASE.

I’ve been in academic advising or student engagement in various capacities across the country for over a decade. While moving was unplanned, the experiences I’ve had have helped me to support students as they grow personally and professionally. Since starting at UNL I’ve been active in AAA; presenting at multiple conferences, Co-Charing the Professional Development and Conference Committee. At the national level, I’ve attended NACADA & NASPA Conferences, served as the NACADA Region 6 Representative for Nebraska, served on the Region 6 Conference Committee, and read conference proposals & award nominations. I think it’s important to stay connected to professional organizations to stay relevant in our field and continue learning.

Outside of work, you can find me spending time with my husband (Charlie), sons (Jacob & Nathan) and dog (Willis) enjoying the outdoors, watching sporting events or reading a good book.

Full Bio Available Here: https://business.unl.edu/people/rwesley

Megan Christensen

I am an Assistant Director in the College of Business Advising and Student Engagement Office, and work with undergraduate business students as an Academic Advisor. I also help coordinate the College of Business’ New Student Enrollment advising, orientation, and transition initiatives for new business students, including our online College of Business orientation seminar, BSAD 78: Start Smart. I have worked for the University of Nebraska for 16 years with roles all related to Academic Advising. My previous professional experiences include working with TRIO programs, business study abroad programs, international business student advising and orientation, and business learning communities.

I earned my undergraduate degree in Vocational Business Education in 2007 and my graduate degree in Student Affairs in 2010, both from the University of Nebraska at Kearney. I have been an active member and participant in AAA since it began. I have served AAA over the years in many roles including Secretary (2015-16), Communications Coordinator (2019-20 & 2023-24), Co-Chair of the Networking Mentoring Program and Networking Committee (2014-15), Co-Chair of the Best Practices & Professional Development Committee (2017-18), and the Proposal Chair of the Conference Committee (2023), as well as gave presentations at the AAA Annual Conference multiple times (2016, 2017, & 2023).

In my free time, I enjoy traveling, attending Husker sporting events & UNL/Lincoln activities, and spending time with my husband and daughter, and our family and friends.

Sarah Feit

Hello! I advise biology and chemistry students in the College of Arts and Sciences. I’ve been at UNL for thirteen years and will be celebrating my fifth year of academic advising in August. In addition to being the Secretary for AAA, I also volunteer as the Awards Coordinator for NACADA Region Six.

My undergraduate degree is in art history from the University of Delaware and my masters degree is also in art history from the University of North Texas.  When I made a career change in 2019, I found a wonderful professional development community in AAA. I have previously served on the Networking Committee (2019-2020) and the Communication Chair (2020-2021).

Outside of work, I enjoy walking my dachshund Lady at some of Lincoln’s dog parks and taking pottery courses.

Kendall Helling

I am an academic advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences, I specifically work with Psychology and Sociology majors. I am new to the advising world, just having started in June 2022, but have worked at UNL for the past 4 years in Admissions and Husker Hub. I also help coordinate and teach PSYC 100: Career Planning for Psychology Majors. 

Coming from a family of dedicated Husker fans, UNL has always had a big role in my life. I earned my undergraduate degree in English in 2017 and my master’s in educational administration in 2021, both from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. In my time here at UNL, I have also served on the Chancellor’s Young Alumni Academy (2021-2022). 

Outside of work, you can find me spending time with my husband, our English Bulldog, and our Miniature Australian Shepherd, reading a good book, and baking. My husband and I are also expecting our first child in December of 2023.

From mid-December to mid-March:  Alexis Partridge (apartridge@unl.edu, 402-472-4190) will be serving as Treasurer while Kendall is on leave.  Alexis served as Treasurer during 2022-23, and she has been temporarily appointed to the Executive Committee.

Dr. Marianna Burks

I am a Professor of Practice in the School of Biological Sciences in CAS, and the Science Specialist for the TRIO Programs. I have served as a professional at UNL for 20 years, with 11 years of experience as a researcher in behavioral cognition and 10 years of teaching and instruction for introductory biology courses (Bios 101 & Life 120). I serve as the Science Specialist at the college level for TRIO, in which I oversee undergraduate research appointments that support students in research opportunities and experiences in STEM or other disciplines within the institution. I am also the co-director of the STEM-POWER Program, which jump-starts matriculating high school students in STEM research as incoming freshmen towards mentored research appointments within STEM and focused life science programs.

I have worked closely with academic advisors across UNL that support students in courses for biology and STEM programs. I serve many roles within the institution, one of which is a council member for the Chancellor’s Commission on the status of Women, diversity efforts in STEM, and the faculty advisor to the Minority Pre-Health Association.

In my free time I am with my spouse and our Burks Bunch (5 kids), one of which is now an alumni of UNL (May 2023). We enjoy traveling, food, and visiting our family in Baton Rouge, LA (I am originally a native of Louisiana).

Julius Owusu Afriyie

Cal Koch

I’m Cal, and I’m an Academic Navigator in the College of Business! My main role on campus is to support students through the inevitable challenges of college. My favorite part of my job is being on a campus where so many students are writing small (and sometimes, not so small) parts of their stories every single day.

I grew up in Omaha, a lifelong Husker fan. I then attended UNL and got my bachelor's degree in psychology in 2019. After graduating, I moved to San Jose, California and began my professional career as a high school chemistry teacher. During my three years of teaching in San Jose then Omaha, I spent a huge chunk of my time coaching basketball and baseball as well. I also earned my master's degree in education from Creighton University in 2021.

Outside of work, you’d probably find me watching movies with my wife, Kenzie, walking my enormous Old English Sheepdog, Finn, or at literally any Husker sporting event. GBR!

Carmen Kelle 

I am an Academic Advisor in the College of Arts and Sciences advising for Political Science, and the Public Policy Analysis Certificate.  I have worked at UNL for 27 years, with the last 13 years in academic advising.  Currently  I also advise the Saudi Student Association RSO, the Omani Student Association RSO, and the Robitschek Scholarship exchange students from the Czech Republic.  My previous work at UNL was in The Explore Center with undecided and pre-professional advising, Undergraduate Admissions with international admissions and recruitment and domestic admissions and recruitment, and International Affairs with sponsored programs and education abroad.  I have held numerous elected positions in other professional organizations, including President and Vice-President of NACRAO (Nebraska Association of College Registrars and Admission Officials), and NAFSA Region II RAP Knowledge Community Representative.  I love the community of advisors at UNL and look forward to working with everyone this coming year.  In my personal life I’m a wife, mother of four, dog mom to Lilo the Corgi, and enjoy cooking/baking, traveling, volunteering, and playing the piano.