CLAS Promise team

I am a native of Durham, North Carolina. I am a proud graduate of Winston- Salem State University, an exemplary historically black university found in Winston- Salem, North Carolina. I received my Bachelor of Arts in English and a double minor in Speech Communication and Secondary Education. I went on to receive my Master’s degree in Psychology from the University of North Carolina- Greensboro. I moved to Gainesville, Florida in 2020 during Covid. I always knew I wanted to work with the PROMISE program! I am now the CLAS PROMISE Chair and I enjoy the role of creating innovative ideas and events, meeting new cohorts of students, and preparing PROMISE students for the future. My extensive background has provided me with a diverse outlook on the needs of students. I am passionate about student success, and I enjoy observing and assisting students in reaching their ultimate goals! I believe education is the door that unlocks opportunities for the future!

Hey there, I’m Racheal, currently serving as a CLAS residential advisor at UF, where I work closely with Promise students. I’ve been advising since 2019 and joined UF in the Spring of 2023. Growing up in a tiny town on the Siletz Reservation in Oregon, I was the first in my family to go to college. I studied Psychology at Western Oregon University and pursued my graduate studies at Oregon State University. During my time at Oregon State, I found my niche in the Native American Student Association, where I explored how a sense of belonging impacts student success. My master’s thesis, “Family, Community, and Tribal Influence on Native American Student Success,” stemmed from this passion. It was clear to me then that I wanted to pursue a career in student success.Prior to UF, I worked with the TRIO program in Washington state. Joining UF allowed me to deepen my connections with students, especially through the Promise program, where I find common ground with many of the students I work with. It’s incredibly rewarding to support students on their academic journeys.

In addition to advising general CLAS students, I work with students admitted through the Promise Program and with exploratory students. I graduated with my bachelor’s degree from American University in communications and foreign language media. After working for about seven years for a non-profit organization in Europe, Central America, and New York, I returned to school to get my master’s degree from the University of Florida in student personnel and higher education administration. I’ve been working for the CLAS Academic Advising Center since January 1999!

I have enjoyed serving as a Promise advisor since 2022. I have been an advisor at the University of Florida since 1997. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Brandeis University and also obtained a Master’s degree in Sports Management and a Ph.D. in Higher Education both from the University of Florida. I am passionate about collaborating with students by providing accurate and detailed information and support so students can make educated and well-informed decisions. Outside of the office, I enjoy watching sports, reading crime novels, and hanging out with my family.