Executive Committee

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

Ashley Light

I am an Assistant Director in the Explore Center at UNL. I began working at UNL in 2012 and moved into academic advising with the College of Business in 2014 before joining the Explore Center in 2022. In addition to advising Explore Center students (who are undecided, pre-law, pre-health, and pre-engineering), I also work on data reporting and office operations, and serve as an RSO advisor to MEDLIFE. My previous roles on the AAA Executive Committee include Secretary and Website & Electronic Documentation Coordinator. 

I earned my bachelor’s degree in Business Administration (management) from UNK in 2010 and my master’s degree in Educational Administration (student affairs) from UNL in 2015. I am currently a doctorate candidate in UNL’s Educational Studies (Educational Leadership and Higher Education) program with a strong interest in research on student success in higher education. 

Outside of work, you can find me hanging out with my husband and two kids, testing out new recipes, exploring new coffee shops, or researching my next travel destination.

Laura Britten

I’m Laura Britten, and I am an Academic Navigator in the Explore Center. I am originally from the suburbs of Chicago. I am an alum of UNL, graduating with a B.A. in Psychology. After undergrad, I went back to Chicago to earn a M.A. in Mental Health Counseling. Prior to working at UNL I spent 3 years working for a nonprofit agency. I love being back in Lincoln, and especially being back on campus working with students. I have so much fun working with undeclared students, helping explore their interests, skills, and passions! Though I am not an academic advisor, I have loved connecting and networking with the members of AAA. I served as Chair for the Social Justice and Inclusion Committee (2022-2023), and am excited to be a part of the Executive Committee this year! 

I love coffee and thrift shopping. My favorite food is eggs. And I spend most of my time outside work with my husband, Adam, and our baby girl, Cece.

laura.britten@unl.edu

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!

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).

I am an academic advisor in the College of Engineering, I specifically work with Construction Management, Environmental, Civil, and Construction Engineering majors. I have been advising at UNL for two years now within other departments such as psychology, but have worked at UNL for the past 5 years in various roles such as Admissions and Husker Hub. I served on the AAA Executive Committee in 23-24 as the Treasurer.

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, I am a coffee enthusiast, and love spending time with my husband Gage, and our baby girl, Lilli.

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 (2023-24), 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.  I am also a member of the NACADA STEM Advising Community Steering Committee.  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.

dpellatz@unl.edu

402-472-4319