Academic Advising Staff

Department People
Staci Miller

Staci Miller, MS

Director

Staci loves working with students and helping them reach their college goals. As a college student, she attended a California community college and earned an Associate of Arts degree before transferring to a California State University. She was the first person in her family to attend college and the community college allowed her to transition to college from high school with smaller courses, more instructor access, and a much lower cost. She successfully transferred as a Junior to the university where she earned her bachelor's degree in Accounting. Her transfer experience is why she also coordinates transfer services at TMCC. She wants to ensure students truly understand the transfer process so they can have the same great experience she had. No matter what your college goal is, Staci would love the opportunity to work with you!

Grecia Anaya

Grecia Anaya-Arevalo, MA

Academic Advisor

Grecia Anaya-Arevalo was born in Mexico but moved to the US at an early age. Her desire to help others started when she became a mentor for the Dean’s Future Scholars (DFS) program at the University of Nevada, Reno. In the program, she had the opportunity to work with students one-on-one and foster rapport with many individuals. In academic advising, Grecia is the liaison to the Technical Sciences division, international student advisor, coordinator for major exploration, and works with DACA and Undocumented students. In her free time, Grecia enjoys reading, cooking, staying active, and spending time with family and friends.
 
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Terry Armstrong

Terry Armstrong

Academic Advisor

Terry is excited to join TMCC!  Having worked in a variety of advising and management capacities at Diablo Valley College and Contra Costa College in the San Francisco Bay Area for 35 years, he is looking forward to working with the students of his new community.  Terry earned his Master of Arts in Rehabilitation Counseling and Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from California State University, Fresno, and has developed and managed programs for students with disabilities and international students.  During the last ten years, he has worked directly with student-athletes, coaches, and the athletic director to develop and implement efficient educational planning toward degree acquisition and transfer.  Working directly with students has always been the most enjoyable part of any of his roles.  Terry enjoys reading, following professional athletics, cycling, fitness training, and spending quality time with his wife Ingrid and their 8 lb, chihuahua/Shiba Inu mix dog, Murphy.
 
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Yuli Colmenero

Yuli Colmenero

Peer Advisor

Yuli is a peer advisor as well as a student here at TMCC. With a long love, passion, and curiosity for science, Yuli is currently working towards her Neuroscience degree, planning to transfer to the University of Reno Nevada in hopes of working in research. She has always enjoyed being able to support others and be able to teach others all the knowledge she can. Outside of school and work, Yuli enjoys spending quality time with those she loves: her family, friends, and dogs, and enjoys going on long runs with her dogs, painting, music, baking, and reading.
 
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Tara Connolly

Tara Connolly, MA

Athletics Academic Advisor

Tara rejoined the advising team at TMCC in 2012 but has been advising students since 2003. As a first-generation college student, she changed her major seven times searching for her path, but it turned out she had already found it as an advisor.  After completing an associate's degree at TMCC, Tara went on to earn a bachelor’s and master’s degree from the University of Nevada, Reno.  Tara tries to create a welcoming and encouraging environment for all students to explore and pursue their educational goals, especially those dealing with uncertainty who is perhaps taking the scenic route through college as she once did. Tara happily serves as the International Student and Athletics Advising Coordinator and is the liaison to the Math and Physical Sciences Division. In her spare time, she enjoys yoga, time in nature with her friends and dog, meditation, reading, and exploring foods of the world.
 
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Ben Davis

Ben Davis, BA

Academic Advisor

Ben Davis is a full-time Academic Advisor, Orientation Coordinator, and Advising Department liaison for the Liberal Arts Division with TMCC. Having received his undergraduate degree in English (Creative Writing) from the University of Nevada, Reno, Ben has a great love for assisting students who are navigating their academics in Northern Nevada. Ben also finds great fulfillment in his position as TMCC's Orientation Coordinator, which allows him to work with new students who are struggling with the college transition process in similar ways he himself had struggled. In his free time, Ben enjoys spending time with his family, playing music with his siblings, trying new restaurants, and playing with his pug, Murphy.
 
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Lydia Freeman

Lydia Freeman

Peer Advisor

Lydia is a peer advisor and full-time student at TMCC. She graduated from her high school, The Academy of Arts, Careers, and Technology, in 2021. She is pursuing a Human Development and Family Studies degree at TMCC and plans to transfer to UNR. She has a passion for working with people from all walks of life and hopes to provide support and encouragement to students as a student herself. Lydia enjoys going on random adventures with her three dogs around Reno and Tahoe, vintage shopping, reading, obsessing over Marvel movies, and spending time with her friends and family.
 
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Eric Gorman

Eric Gorman

Academic Advisor

Eric relocated to Reno from Illinois in 2023. He previously recruited and advised first-semester students as an Admissions Advisor at Waubonsee Community College in Sugar Grove, Illinois. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Organizational Leadership from Illinois State University in 2014 and a master’s degree in Adult and Higher Education from Northern Illinois University in 2018. His passion and mission within higher education is to provide affordable education to all students, and he could not be happier to be a part of TMCC. Outside of work, Eric loves basketball, movies, food (cooking, but mostly eating), spending time outdoors, and exploring new places. He is looking forward to supporting you throughout your educational journey.
 
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Kelly Harlin

Kelly Harlin

Academic Advisor

Kelly joins TMCC with a wealth of experience as an Academic Advisor and Student Success Coach, primarily supporting underrepresented and non-traditional college students in career-tech education. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies, a multiple-subject teaching credential, and a Master of Science in Counseling. Just before joining TMCC, Kelly provided mental health therapy to individuals and families through the pandemic and is a strong advocate of mental health services for students. She is also a Certified Career Coach and has a strong passion for guiding undecided students in finding their unique passion, purpose, and ideal career pathway. Her goal is for every student she works with to feel understood, cared for, and excited to achieve their dreams! Outside work, Kelly has fun attending local sports and community events, fishing, camping, and spending quality time with friends, family, and fur babies.
 
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Denisse Merino Camarena

Denisse Merino Camarena

Academic Advisor

Denisse is a first-generation college graduate born in Mexico but was raised in the United States. She was a Jump Start student, Nevada Promise recipient, and was also in the Summer Bridge program at TMCC. She graduated from TMCC with her Associate of Arts in Social Work. She went on to graduate from the University of Nevada, Reno, in 2021 with her Bachelors in Human Development and Family Sciences and a minor in Addiction Treatment Services. TMCC has been her home since she graduated from Reed High School back in 2018. She hopes to provide guidance, mentorship, and support to all students. She loves to watch Netflix, explore new places to eat, and do online shopping without purchasing anything. Denisse looks forward to meeting you!
 
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Megan Moore

Megan Moore

Academic Advisor

Born and raised in Reno, Megan graduated from McQueen High School and began her 14-year career in management shortly after. With roles ranging from the banking industry, sales and hospitality, she is thrilled to have found her way to higher education. While growing that career, Megan enrolled at TMCC and earned two Associates of Arts degrees. She transferred to UNR to study English and studied abroad in Costa Rica and Chile. She has an immense passion for helping students find their path and strives to provide a welcoming environment, where empathy is always at the forefront of her mind. She holds a special place for students returning to school or starting college later in life. In her free time, Megan is a singer and enjoys baking, cooking, reading, and time spent with friends and her puggle Moxley. Megan is looking forward to helping support you in your educational endeavors!
 
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Jennifer Pierce

Jennifer Pierce, MA

Academic Advisor

Jennifer has been an Academic Advisor at TMCC since 2016.  In addition to working directly with students, she is the department's Assessment Coordinator and Peer Advisor Supervisor, assists with athletics advising, is the liaison to the Business and Social Sciences, and serves on several institutional committees. In 2019, she earned the Nevada regents' Academic Advisor Award. Jennifer started her career in higher education as an adjunct faculty and tutor at Great Basin College and then transitioned into student services as their Retention Coordinator for two years. She loves being a part of helping students reach their academic and personal goals, and particularly enjoys working with transfer students and students returning to college. Jennifer earned a BA-English Literature from Boise State University, and a MA-Educational Leadership from the University of Nevada, Reno. She enjoys being creative, getting out into the mountains, and barbecuing with family and friends.
 
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Janice Pruitt

Janice Pruitt

Administrative Assistant 3

Janice will be one of the first people you meet at the front desk in the Academic Advising office. She began working at TMCC as an Administrative Assistant in August 2023. After earning her bachelor's degree in Human Development from the University of Arizona she has worked in grade schools, and in the fields of mental health, and wellness. Her primary role has been “Mom” to three great kids. Janice volunteers for Guide Dogs for the Blind and enjoys raising puppies before they move on to their formal training as service dogs. In her free time Janice enjoys camping, hiking, cooking, baking and spending time with family.

Courtney Schachter

Courtney Schachter

Academic Advisor

Courtney started at TMCC in 2015. She advises military-connected students, evaluates Joint Service Transcripts, and is also the advisor liaison to Life Sciences, Allied-Health, and Public Safety Division. Courtney has held multiple professional roles in higher education since 2009 when she graduated with her Masters in Education in Administration of Higher Education from Suffolk University. Throughout her time in higher education, she holds onto the belief that pursuing post-secondary education can have a significant impact on a student's life professionally and personally. Originally from Upper Michigan Courtney appreciates almost all outdoor activities, including winter sports! When she is not working or having fun outside you can find her enjoying time at home with her dogs and chickens. One of Courtney's favorite quotes is "You are never too old to set a new dream or goal!" by CS Lewis. Courtney looks forward to working with you on your educational journey! 
 
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