Students that are suspended or dismissed from the university or have a tuition appeal should contact Frank Robinson.
UC 210C
robinsonf1@nku.edu
Frank brings many years of experience in higher education and advising to the First Year Student Success Hub, as he has been serving at Northern Kentucky University since 2007. Previously, Frank served as an Advisor/Lecturer for six years and then became Assistant Director of the Haile/US Bank College of Business Advising Center. As Assistant Director of the College of Business Advising Center, Frank designed activities to recruit and attract freshmen to business programs, provided programming of new student programs toward college transition, and also worked with department chairs on curriculum updates and development.
In his time at NKU, Frank has won such accolades as the Dean’s Citation Award for Outstanding Citizenship (2012-13), NKU Outstanding Advising Award (2015), Outstanding Advisor for the Local Phi Beta Lambda Chapter for Kentucky (2015), and Outstanding Staff Member from the NKU Black Faculty and Staff Association in 2018. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and went on to earn his Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Lewis University in Romeoville, IL.
UC 210
piepera3@nku.edu
As the Associate Director of the First Year Student Success Hub, Amy serves as the direct supervisor for the advising team; oversees daily operations for the unit; and directs the Pathfinders Program. She brings many years of higher education experience from a variety of settings, including Ohio University, University of Houston, and the University of Central Florida.
Amy has had the pleasure of working at NKU since 2013. She has been recognized with the Outstanding Academic Advisor Award (2021) and the Academic Affairs Outstanding Staff Member Award (2020). She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Communication, and a Master’s degree in College Student Personnel from Ohio University. When she is not at work, you will find her at a baseball field, basketball court, or soccer field, cheering for her kids!
UC 210
sterretta1@nku.edu
Amy coordinates the office activities as an Academic Specialist in Norse Advising. She came to NKU in 2013 and has previously worked in the College of Health and Human Services. Her previous experience has been in admissions for Graduate Nursing.
Amy is originally from Indiana and received an Associate degree in Integrative Studies with a focus in Social and Behavioral Studies from NKU in 2017. She resides in Northern Kentucky and enjoys spending time with her family, camping and reading.
UC 210
ladowm1@nku.edu
Megan LaDow is the Coordinator of Advising Programs in Norse Advising. In this position, Megan coordinates the Master Advisor program and oversees new student Orientation in Norse Advising.
Megan has been at NKU since 2014 and previously advised students in English, History, and Geography. Prior to NKU, Megan’s higher education experience included working in admissions at Thomas More College and student success and retention at Xavier University.
Megan earned Bachelors degrees in History and International Studies at Thomas More College and a Masters degree in School Counseling from Xavier University. She and her family live in Independence, Kentucky.
UC 210
washingtonte@nku.edu
Terkerah has worked at Norse Advising since 2001 and has been the Senior Advisor since 2019. She became a Master Advisor in 2007. She has continued working with students in some professional capacity for over two decades. In addition to advising students in an academic capacity, she also advises students in extracurricular groups on campus through the African American Student Initiatives office.
Terkerah is now the Coordinated Care and Student Engagement Specialist. She will be the contact person between Academic Affairs and Student Affairs to serve as a partner across campus for our students. She writes a newsletter that goes out to students 3 times or more a semester to inform students of activities going on across campus. She also taught UNV 101 (First Year Experience classes) and currently teaches Communication classes as well as serves on several committees across campus.
Terkerah earned her bachelor's degree at Kentucky State University, her Master of Education degree from the University of Kentucky, and her Certificate to Teach in Communication from Northern Kentucky University.
Jen Davis is the Team Lead Advisor for the Business Cluster in the First Year Student Success Hub. She began her career at NKU in Admissions in 2017 before moving to the College of Business in 2020, and is thrilled to be part of the team in the new Hub! Jen earned both her BA in theatre and her MA in English from NKU, and has never felt more at home anywhere than on this campus. She loves working with first-year/freshman students to help build a stable foundation and offer guidance as they become more confident and independent in their own paths. In her free time, Jen is active in community theatre (serving on the Executive Board of Village Players of Fort Thomas) and is the co-editor-in-chief of Many Nice Donkeys literary magazine. Her first love, aside from her two super awesome children, is poetry. She’s an excellent speller and a terrible typist
Samantha (or Sam) Dutle is the Team Lead Advisor for the STEM Cluster within the First Year Student Success Hub. She is a proud NKU alumna, where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology. She also earned a Master’s Degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs from Indiana University. Samantha has over 10 years of advising experience, including both academic and career advising as well as teaching a career readiness course. Throughout her career, Samantha has worked with a wide variety of student populations: undecided/exploratory students, interdisciplinary studies majors, highly competitive programs, co-op programs, international students, transfer students, and online learners. Samantha was born and raised in Michigan, but now calls Northern Kentucky “home.” She lives in Alexandria, KY with her husband, two children, and dog. In her free time, she enjoys baking, crafting, and home renovation projects.
Mark Dvornak is originally from Corvallis, Oregon but has spent time living in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Washington all before moving to northern Kentucky. Mark attended Eastern Kentucky University where he earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology and attended the University of Louisville where he got his Master’s in Higher Education Administration. While working on his Master’s, Mark worked in the College of Education and Human Development’s Office of Undergraduate Advising and Student Success where he created academic programs for first year students and at-risk students. In his free time, you can find Mark outside hiking, skateboarding, or trying to find new coffee shops.
Zelda Hughes-Howard is the First Year Advisor for Honors and Special Populations. In this position, Zelda collaborates with the Honors College, School-Based Scholars, The NKU ROCKS program and the LAMPS program to ensure a smooth transition for first year students.
Prior to coming to NKU in 2022, Zelda served as an educator for 20 years in Georgia, South Carolina and Ohio. She most recently worked as a Testing Coordinator at Gateway Technical and Community College.
Zelda received her Bachelor degree in Psychology from the University of Louisville and her Master’s degree in Education from Georgia College and State University.
Robin Lester is a native of Louisville, Kentucky. She is also a two-time graduate from Western Kentucky University where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and Master’s Degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education. Robin currently serves as one of the Academic Advisors for First Year students in the College of Health and Human Services. She enjoys spending her free time with family and friends. Go Norse!
Tom Liauba is the Humanities/Social Sciences Team Lead Advisor for the First Year Student Success Hub. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Social Studies Education from Ohio University in 2015, worked as a Social Studies Teacher and Assistant Cross-Country Coach at Milford High School until 2018, and then earned his Master’s Degree in School Counseling from Xavier University in 2019. Right after, he came to NKU and worked as an Academic Advisor for the College of Health & Human Services until 2022. Tom was born and raised in Cincinnati but has found a new home at Northern Kentucky University. He loves his family (a wife, a dog, two cats, and a baby on the way), enjoys the outdoors (camping, hiking, kayaking, etc.), and regularly frequents coffeeshops.
Andrew is a Lexington, KY native that started at NKU in March of 2022. Prior to arriving at NKU, Andrew was an Admissions Counselor at Midway University. Andrew holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice and a Master’s Degree in Student Personnel Services, both from Eastern Kentucky University. Andrew is currently in the Ed.D in Educational Leadership program at University of the Cumberlands and hopes to finish the degree by the end of 2023. Andrew has five years of higher education experience that includes student activity program, first-year experience, and admissions. .
Personal: I enjoy going to sporting events in Cincinnati with my friends and family, playing in the Cincinnati Adult Baseball League, binge-watching TV shows, playing with my dogs (Velo & Olive), and going on adventures.
Academic: I am a first-generation college student; I went to Beechwood High School, then attended the University of Pikeville where I played baseball for four years. While attending the University of Pikeville, I was a two-time Academic All Mid-South Conference recipient. After receiving my bachelor’s degrees in Communication and Film & Media Arts (FMA), I decided to pursue my master’s in Communication at NKU. While at NKU, I discovered my passion for helping students, especially those who have faced adversity in High School and in life. My goal is to ease the burden of anxiety with students, set them up for success academically and professionally, and teach students “the way” when it comes to being involved on-campus.
Casey is a Cincinnati, Ohio native that started at NKU in
July of 2014. Prior to arriving at NKU Casey was the Academic Exploration Coordinator at his undergraduate alma mater, The College of Mount Saint Joseph. Casey earned his Master’s Degree in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Miami University in May of 2013. Casey has eight years of higher education experience that includes residence life, academic advising, and teaching first year experience courses.
Ed Thornton is the Team Lead Advisor for the College of Education. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Ed made the trip to NKY where he attended Thomas More College (now University). He received his Bachelor’s degree in Communications, and started his higher education career as an admissions counselor. He recently received his Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Lincoln Christian University, which led him to the advising position at NKU. In his free time, Ed coaches basketball and is a huge fan of March Madness! He also enjoys music and spending time with his family.
Nick Pflum is one of the Academic Advisors for First Year students in the College of Health and Human Services. He earned his Bachelor's Degree in Organizational Leadership here at Northern Kentucky University (Go Norse!) and his Master's Degree in College Student Personnel from Ohio University. While at Ohio University, Nick worked in the Allen Student Advising Center, where he had the opportunity to assist first year students major exploration and academics. He also taught an introductory to college course where he had the pleasure of helping students with their transition to college.
Nick was born and raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, but loves the environment of Northern Kentucky. In his free time, you can find Nick spending time outdoors, hanging out with friends and family, and discovering the next best coffee shop.
Kim Shearer is a First Year Advisor for the First Year Student Success Hub. She earned her BA in English from Georgetown College, her MEd from Northern Kentucky University, and her MS in Library Media Education from Western Kentucky University. Kim spent 18 years in public education, serving students as both a high school English teacher and librarian, and was named the 2012 Kentucky Teacher of the Year. She has two daughters and resides with her husband in Hebron, Kentucky.
Joel assists and supports students transferring from other colleges and universities to NKU, especially our 2NKU partner schools, and has over thirteen years experience in Higher Ed working with community college and transfer students. He has also worked in recruitment, advising, and osteopathic medical school admissions. A first generation student from Eastern/Appalachian Kentucky he now calls Northern Kentucky home with his wife Becky and enjoys hiking and photography in his free time. He earned a Masters Degree in Adult and Higher Education from his alma mater while previously working with transfer students.
Susan comes to NKU with 15 years’ experience in academic advising. She has previously worked as an Advising Manager at EKU and an Online Advisor at the KCTCS System Office working with three KCTCS Colleges. Susan holds a M.A. in College Student Personnel from EKU, a M.A. in Religious Education from Anderson University in Indiana, and a B.S. in Vocal Music from Mid-America Christian University in Oklahoma City, OK. Susan enjoys spending time with her family and is head-chauffer to her daughter’s cheer and softball practices and games. Besides parenting, Susan enjoys crafting, singing in choir, hanging out with friends, and various activities with her faith community.
UC 210
rain1@nku.edu
UC 210
estepj3@nku.edu
Northern Kentucky University
University Center 120
Nunn Drive
Highland Heights, KY 41099
Phone: 859-572-7876
E-mail: advising@nku.edu
