Heather is the Assistant Director of Academic Services for Communication Leadership and has worked in higher education student development since 1998. She has been with the UW Department of Communication since 2010, and enjoys working closely with each Comm Lead cohort, from the eager questions of prospective students all the way through to watching them proudly walk across the stage at commencement. Heather continually strives to improve the student experience through technology, relationship building, and meeting students where they are to help them get where they need to be.

She received a BA in English and MIT in Secondary Education from Western Washington University, and an MA in Student Development Administration from Seattle University. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Social and Cultural Foundations of Education at the UW College of Education, focusing on ethics and policy in Higher Education. Heather has experience at public and private universities and community colleges, including Western Washington University, Central Washington University, Seattle University, and North Seattle College. Heather has presented her research at the ACPA Annual Convention in 2008, Washington Academic Advising Coalition Conference in 2009, NASPA Western Regional Conferences in 2013 and 2016, and the ASHE Annual Conference in 2019.

When not working, Heather enjoys reading sci-fi or fantasy novels (preferably in a cozy coffee shop), catching the latest action movie on opening night, and taking weekend trips around the Pacific Northwest with her husband, Ryan, and their dogs, Bailey & Arya. She has also been known to sing some wicked karaoke, and makes delicious vegetarian enchiladas. You can find her at every Husky Football home game in the Fall (Go Dawgs!), and at every day of Emerald City Comic Con in the Spring.

Heather’s office is located in CMU 241. You may book appointments with her during office hours

Meet with Heather about:

• Admissions application and requirements
• Class registration questions
• Degree requirements and planning
• Academic policies and procedures (time off, graduating, CPT)