GEAR UP FIRST YEAR ADVISORS - Nevada State GEAR UP

Morgan Haynes

College of Southern Nevada (CSN) GEAR UP First Year Advisor

Email: morgan.haynes@csn.edu
School website: https://www.csn.edu/
Hometown: Dallas, Texas

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Morgan Haynes

College of Southern Nevada (CSN) GEAR UP First Year Advisor

morgan.haynes@csn.edu

Hometown: Dallas, TX

Bio: Morgan graduated from Howard University in 2017 with a Bachelor’s in sports medicine. During her tenure at Howard, Morgan was President of the Students Advocating for Youth organization creating awareness for homeless youth in D.C. She was also Head of the Planning to Achieve College Excellence program for the National Society of Collegiate Scholars. Morgan strongly believes in the inclusion of all students regarding post-secondary education. She is excited to aid these students to be successful in their collegiate career and their future endeavors. For fun Morgan enjoys coaching for her club volleyball team and serving her community!

Favorite Quote: “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch excellence.” – Vince Lombardi

Jairon Castellanos-Boteo

Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) GEAR UP First Year Advisor

Email: jcastellanosboteo@tmcc.edu
School website: https://www.tmcc.edu/recruitment-access-center/gear-up
Hometown: San José Acatempa, Guatemala

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Jairon Castellanos-Boteo

Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) GEAR UP First Year Advisor

jcastellanosboteo@tmcc.edu

Hometown: San José Acatempa, Guatemala

Bio: Jairon Castellanso-Boteo is a first-generation college graduate, TRiO Scholar and First in the Pack Alum. He graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Social work from the University of Nevada, Reno. Jairon obtained his Masters in Social work from the University of Nevada, Reno in 2020. He also recently graduated in 2021 with an associates in Theology.He is from Guatemala and grew up in Reno Nevada.. He loves Japanese food and their culture. When Jairon is not at work you can either find him at the gym, riding his motorcycle, Working on his car, or playing with his German shepherd BEAR. He is excited to be part of the GEAR UP team and hopes to help students receive a fun and enriching experience while achieving their goals.

Favorite Quote: “If you don’t like your destiny, don’t accept it. Instead have the courage to change it the way you want it to be.” – Naruto Uzumaki

Kelly Briggs

Great Basin College (GBC) GEAR UP First Year Advisor

Email: kelly.briggs@gbcnv.edu
School website: https://www.gbcnv.edu/
Hometown: Orangeville, ON

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Kelly Briggs

Kelly Briggs
Great Basin College (GBC)
First Year College Advisor

Email: kelly.briggs@gbcnv.edu
School Website: https://www.gbcnv.edu

Hometown: Orangeville, ON

Bio: Kelly is originally from Ontario, Canada, where she earned degrees in Classics before focusing on Education. She taught ESL in Toronto, Ontario and Guangzhou, China and then returned to the University of Toronto to complete an education degree with an emphasis in multi-cultural classrooms. She then lived and taught in Cairo, Egypt and Manhattan, Kansas before moving to Nevada. When not working, she enjoys spending time in her garden and exploring new places. She is excited to work as a First Year Advisor at Great Basin College helping students identify, refine, and work towards their dreams.

Favorite Quote: “ The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing.” – Walt Disney

Joy Cooper

Nevada State University (NSU) GEAR UP First Year Advisor

Email: joy.cooper@nevadastate.edu
School website: https://nevadastate.edu/
Hometown: Ann Arbor, Michigan

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Joy Cooper

Nevada State University (NSU) GEAR UP First Year Advisor

joy.cooper@nevadastate.edu

Hometown: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Bio: Joy graduated in 2023 with a Bachelor’s degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with areas of study in English, secondary education, and counseling. During her undergraduate career, Joy served as a military police soldier in the Nevada Army National Guard, was a charter member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority’s Eta Rho chapter, and was a recipient of the 2023 Lance and Elena Calvert Award for Undergraduate Research in the Creative Works category. Coming from a family of educators, Joy has always believed in the value of education and the importance of socio-emotional health for students and their success. Outside of GEAR UP, Joy enjoys playing video games, reading books, going to the gym, and hanging out at cat cafes.

Favorite Quote: “From a different perspective, an imposing wall is just a large door.” – Shinichi Kudo

Katherine Burdick

University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) GEAR UP First Year Advisor

Email: katherine.burdick@unlv.edu
School website: https://www.unlv.edu/
Hometown: Inglewood, CA

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Katherine Burdick

University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) GEAR UP First Year Advisor

katherine.burdick@unlv.edu

Hometown: Inglewood, CA

Bio: : Kat was born in Inglewood, CA and moved to Las Vegas, NV for highschool. After graduating from high school, she earned her Associate’s Degree in Communication studies at CSN and then transferred to UNLV to complete her Bachelor’s in the same field. Kat is also a recent graduate of the UNLV Masters of Public Administration program. As a first-generation Latina student, Kat is excited to work with the GEAR UP team and help others begin their higher education journey. In her free time Kat enjoys cooking, baking, hiking, and trying new restaurants.

Favorite Quote:“Life’s a garden, dig it” – Joe Dirt

Tawnie D’Angelo

Western Nevada College (WNC) GEAR UP First Year Advisor

Email: tawnie.wentz@wnc.edu
School website: https://wnc.edu/advising/high-school-programs/gear-up.php
Hometown: Minden, Nevada

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Tawnie D'Angelo

Tawnie D’Angelo
Western Nevada College (WNC) GEAR UP First Year Advisor

tawnie.wentz@wnc.edu

Hometown: Minden, NV

Bio: I am honored to be the new GEAR UP Ambassador for Western Nevada College. My passion for education began during my studies at the University of Nevada, Reno where I received my Bachelor of Science degree in Human Development and Family Studies. During my senior year of college, I had the opportunity to participate in a work-based practicum at Western Nevada College where I assisted in Student Outreach. This is where I found my love of education and helping students reach their potential. I taught Pre-Kindergarten in Truckee, CA. before joining the GEAR Up team. I believe education is an important part of our lives from early childhood on and we never stop learning. In my free time, you can find me on the golf course or playing with my two crazy dogs!

Favorite Quote: “It Doesn’t Matter Where You Came From. All That Matters Is Where You Are Going.”- Brian Tracy

Kinsey Minter

University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) GEAR UP First Year Advisor

Email: kminter@unr.edu
School website: https://www.unr.edu/
Hometown: Glendale, AZ

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Kinsey Minter

Kinsey Minter
University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) GEAR UP First Year Advisor

kminter@unr.edu

Hometown: Glendale, AZ

Bio: Kinsey started her education at Glendale Community College where she grew in her desire to complete her degree at a Division 1 university. She received a volleyball and track scholarship to attend the University of Nevada Reno (UNR) where she completed her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Development and Family Studies. She decided to further her education to qualify for positions in Higher Education. After completing her Masters in Educational Leadership, her hope has been to assist students in their collegiate journey to achieve the career that fits their calling in life. Kinsey has worked on campus at UNR in the Office of Student Conduct, New Student Initiatives, and now as a First Year College Advisor. Kinsey is also still fulfilling her love for volleyball by coaching at a high school in Clark County School District.

Favorite Quote: “Living in the moment, it’s a gift. That’s why they call it the present.” – Ted Lasso

Morgan Haynes

College of Southern Nevada (CSN) GEAR UP First Year Advisor

Email: morgan.haynes@csn.edu
School website: https://www.csn.edu/
Hometown: Dallas, Texas

Jairon Castellanos-Boteo

Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) GEAR UP First Year Advisor

Email: jcastellanosboteo@tmcc.edu
School website: https://www.tmcc.edu/recruitment-access-center/gear-up
Hometown: San José Acatempa, Guatemala

Kelly Briggs

Great Basin College (GBC) GEAR UP First Year Advisor

Email: kelly.briggs@gbcnv.edu
School website: https://www.gbcnv.edu/
Hometown: Orangeville, ON

Joy Cooper

Nevada State University (NSU) GEAR UP First Year Advisor

Email: joy.cooper@nevadastate.edu
School website: https://nevadastate.edu/
Hometown: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Katherine Burdick

University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) GEAR UP First Year Advisor

Email: katherine.burdick@unlv.edu
School website: https://www.unlv.edu/
Hometown: Inglewood, CA

Tawnie D’Angelo

Western Nevada College (WNC) GEAR UP First Year Advisor

Email: tawnie.wentz@wnc.edu
School website: https://wnc.edu/advising/high-school-programs/gear-up.php
Hometown: Minden, Nevada

Kinsey Minter

University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) GEAR UP First Year Advisor

Email: kminter@unr.edu
School website: https://www.unr.edu/
Hometown: Glendale, AZ

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Nevada GEAR UP Digest

Morgan Haynes

College of Southern Nevada (CSN) GEAR UP First Year Advisor

Email: morgan.haynes@csn.edu School website: https://www.csn.edu/ Hometown: Dallas, Texas

Jairon Castellanos-Boteo

Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC) GEAR UP First Year Advisor

Email: jcastellanosboteo@tmcc.edu School website: https://www.tmcc.edu/recruitment-access-center/gear-up Hometown: San José Acatempa, Guatemala

Kelly Briggs

Great Basin College (GBC) GEAR UP First Year Advisor

Email: kelly.briggs@gbcnv.edu School website: https://www.gbcnv.edu/ Hometown: Orangeville, ON

Joy Cooper

Nevada State University (NSU) GEAR UP First Year Advisor

Email: joy.cooper@nevadastate.edu School website: https://nevadastate.edu/ Hometown: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Katherine Burdick

University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) GEAR UP First Year Advisor

Email: katherine.burdick@unlv.edu School website: https://www.unlv.edu/ Hometown: Inglewood, CA

Tawnie D’Angelo

Western Nevada College (WNC) GEAR UP First Year Advisor

Email: tawnie.wentz@wnc.edu School website: https://wnc.edu/advising/high-school-programs/gear-up.php Hometown: Minden, Nevada

Kinsey Minter

University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) GEAR UP First Year Advisor

Email: kminter@unr.edu School website: https://www.unr.edu/ Hometown: Glendale, AZ

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Nevada GEAR UP Digest

Email: morgan.haynes@csn.edu
School website: https://www.csn.edu/
Hometown: Dallas, Texas

Email: jcastellanosboteo@tmcc.edu
School website: https://www.tmcc.edu/recruitment-access-center/gear-up
Hometown: San José Acatempa, Guatemala

Email: kelly.briggs@gbcnv.edu
School website: https://www.gbcnv.edu/
Hometown: Orangeville, ON

Email: joy.cooper@nevadastate.edu
School website: https://nevadastate.edu/
Hometown: Ann Arbor, Michigan

Email: katherine.burdick@unlv.edu
School website: https://www.unlv.edu/
Hometown: Inglewood, CA

Email: tawnie.wentz@wnc.edu
School website: https://wnc.edu/advising/high-school-programs/gear-up.php
Hometown: Minden, Nevada

Email: kminter@unr.edu
School website: https://www.unr.edu/
Hometown: Glendale, AZ