President
Marianna is an Academic Standards Coach, Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, and Adjunct Instructor. She is a first-generation American; her family emigrated from Poland. She is originally from Grand Rapids, Michigan. Marianna earned a Master of Professional Studies (MProf) in Social Entrepreneurship, studying sociology and nonprofit leadership & organization. She has worked at UVU since 2009, previously in the study abroad department and academic advising. Over this time, Marianna has been recognized with the UVU Community Engaged Staff Member Award (2014) and the Dean's Staff Excellence Award (2018). She has served on the UWHEN UVU Chapter Board since 2019. In her personal time, Marianna enjoys singing and reading, adores Halloween and Disneyland, and loves trip-planning just as much as the actual traveling part. She and her husband have four great kids, a big red dog, and a fluffy sassy cat!
President's Statement
I genuinely believe everyone has the potential to be a leader and that leadership manifests in many different ways. UVU needs more female faculty and staff in leadership, and UWHEN exists to further this objective. As UWHEN UVU Chapter President, I will help to identify and apply the strengths of the UWHEN Board to best serve our community. I will collaborate with other campus organizations and entities to develop leadership abilities and opportunities for female-identifying employees. I sincerely want UVU women to feel heard and empowered so that we can collectively address real issues and authentically connect with one another. I am a natural activator that will bring enthusiasm to my role, advocate for women's equity in higher education, and use this leadership opportunity to influence change. I most recently served on the UWHEN Board as President-Elect in 2021-22. I was Ambassador to Staff from 2019-2021. During that time, I planned and coordinated successful staff events like "Why Women Don’t Ask: Understanding and Overcoming Gender Bias in Salary Negotiations" and "Reporting Conflicts in the Workplace;" led multiple UWHEN Strengths Workshop Series; and co-wrote UWHEN UVU Chapter's inclusive mission statement.
President-Elect
Dr. Vasilevska is a professor at the Department of Mathematics. She previously served as the UWHEN UVU Chapter Events Coordinator for Logistics. She was born and raised in Republic of North Macedonia and received her doctorate degree from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. After working for a few years at the University of South Dakota, she joined the Department of Mathematics at Utah Valley University in 2010.
She is passionate about teaching; and in her classes, she implements various active learning, student-centered approaches and cultivates an inclusive, interactive, and engaged environment.
Her research interests are diverse, ranging from topics in pure mathematics to topics in math education. She enjoys mentoring students through undergraduate research. Since 2007, she has been leading and participating in various outreach programs that popularize mathematics, especially ones that encourage and support women in mathematics. As a result, she has been involved and interested in researching the effect of after school math programs on the high school women’s attitude towards mathematics through her outreach program Math Girls Rock!.
Dr. Vasilevska has received several awards recognizing her teaching excellence, such as Faculty Senate Excellent Award (2020, 2015) and Intermountain MAA Outstanding Teaching Award (2017). Furthermore, she has received several awards and recognitions for her outreach efforts that include 2016 Champion of Inclusion Award for a Faculty Member and 2014 Wolverine Achievement Award (Distinguished Volunteer Service). Among her hobbies are her love for Origami, reading, and traveling to learn about different cultures.
Past-President
Dr. Heather Wilson-Ashworth earned her Ph.D. in Zoology at Brigham Young University. She teaches Human Physiology, Introduction to Anatomy and Physiology, College Biology and General Biology. Her research interests include developing a better understanding the issues influencing UVU student success, retention and motivation with an emphasis on understanding the complexities that underrepresented students including women, minorities and non-traditional students face. Her other research interests include the development and assessment of process skills in active learning classrooms and effective mentoring strategies in undergraduate research. Currently, she is a co-investigator for National Science Foundation Grant: Faculty-Mentored Experiences for Improving Undergraduate Biology Student Outcomes (NSF- 1833880). Her recent awards include a national award, POGIL Early Career Achievement Award (2020), UVU Student Advocate Award (2019), UVU Design of a UVU Online Course, 3rd place (2019) and UVU Presidential Award of Excellence in Engagement (2018).
Chief of Staff
Amanda Kimball is the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations at Utah Valley University. During her graduate degree, she discovered a deep resolve to create awareness and find solutions for populations such as first-generation, rural, female-identified, low socio-economic, and transfer students. She has seen the positive generational effects of education first-hand and has a passion for paying-it-forward so others can have opportunity in education and the workplace. When not at work, Amanda loves to cook and bake and has a goal to try one new recipe per week. She looks forward to any moment spent in nature, loves being with family, and can turn heads at karaoke when singing a Whitney Houston song.
Treasurer
Sehrash is an Academic Advisor for Utah Valley University for two and a half years. Sehrash completed her Bachelor of Science in Biology from University of Maryland Baltimore County. She graduated with her Master of Science in Toxicology from Colorado State University. Sehrash taught Human Biology at Anne Arundel Community College before she began advising at Utah Valley University. Currently Sehrash teaches Biology and works with First Year students in the College of Science and School of Education. Sehrash enjoys cooking, reading and writing poetry, playing the Ukulele, and spending time outsidewalking. She has never broken any bones (her own or anyone else’s) and hopes to keep it that way.
book club Coordinator
Dr. Kelly Hall joined the Woodbury School of Business in January ’22. She serves as Assistant Professor of Organizational Leadership, Director of the Women’s Business Leadership Initiative, and Lead Faculty of the UVU Executive Education Women’s Leadership Certificate Program. Before joining UVU, she spent ten years on faculty with Stetson University’s School of Business Administration in DeLand, Florida. Her commitment to the highest levels of teaching, leadership development, and community involvement have been widely recognized. In recent years, she has received numerous awards, for example, the Distinguished EMBA Professor Award, the Outstanding Innovator Award, the COVID-19 Innovation Award, and the Provost Faculty Fellow for Engagement.
Dr. Hall has a passion for blending research with course design to create a synergy between scholarship and teaching. Her research focuses on leadership development, employee feedback, learning and reflection, and positive organizational scholarship. She frequently engages in interdisciplinary research collaborations, and she is an active member of several management organizations, including the Academy of Management, Southern Management Association, and Academy of Human Resource Development. She is also a Certified Executive Life Coach.
Before transitioning to academia, Kelly worked in the financial industry. Among other roles, she served as Manager at Raymond James Financial and as a member of the Learning & Development team at Washington Mutual Bank / JP Morgan Chase. Across all her work, she has enthusiastically identified needs in organizations and creatively developed and implemented solutions. Kelly earned her Doctor of Business Administration from Kennesaw State University, where she was recognized as the 2016 Outstanding Graduate of Coles College of Business.
marketing coordinator
Barb Smith is a communications veteran with decades of experience in the media as a trusted reporter and anchor. She also brings years of experience as a public relations executive in higher education. Her strengths include a broad understanding of media relations, external, internal, executive-level communications, protocol, and event management.
Barb began her broadcasting career as a teenager at KLVR radio in Heber City, Utah. Her early interest in communications led her to Brigham Young University, where she earned a Bachelor of Artsin communications. She also earned an Associate of Science in early childhood education at Utah Valley University. She later returned to both institutions to provide service, as President of the Alumni Association and a Trustee at Utah Valley University and as an adjunct professor teaching communications courses at BYU. Her career after college began as a reporter and anchor for KSL radio. She entered television journalism in Idaho Falls, then returned to Salt Lake City as a reporter and anchor for KUTV. Barb joined the ABC 4 news team in October 1990. During her time there, she anchored all newscasts. She created the 4 Your Family franchise, which became the most recognized television brand in the Salt Lake City market and encompassed all health and education news. She also anchored the number one evening news program in SLC for a decade.
She retired from news to become the executive communications manager at the University of Utah. Barb was proactive in creating positive media coverage of President David W. Pershing, as well as speeches, presentations, programs, internal and external communication, and events for the administration. Her experience includes writing and producing inauguration and all commencement programs.Barb also taught journalism courses at the University of Utah and lectures on communications presentation. After the retirement of President Pershing at the U, she returned to UVU In June of 2018 as the director of communications. She is thrilled to give back to the institution that provided her foundation for success. She recently added to her green educational roots by earning a Master of Public Service. Her goal is to continue to elevate the university by sharing the positive news of UVU, both internally and externally.
engagement coordinator
Dawn has loved working in higher education for the past eight years and is passionate about all the opportunities higher educationbrings. She received her Bachelorof Science in Communication with an emphasisin Public Relations and Advertising anda minor in User Experience Design from Weber State University at the start of the pandemic in 2020. Her excellence in her undergraduate was shown in her leadership as President of the Ambassador program, receiving the 2020 Outstanding Graduate of Public Relations award, and being a finalist for 2020 Woman of the Year. Dawn has been at Utah Valley University for the past two years, firstas an Academic Advisor and now as the Professional Development Coordinator in Concurrent Enrollment. Dawn is currently inthe Master of Education: Higher Education Leadership programat UVU, with just a year left before she graduates. In her free time, Dawn proudly holds the “Favorite Aunt” titleto eight nieces and nephews, travels to places where beaches are involved, and makes many runs to Swig to get her go-to drink, “The Founder.”
Event Coordinator - Programming
Julia is a proud first-generation Latina who completed and received her Bachelor’s of Deaf Studies-Interpreting emphasis at Utah Valley University. Her mission is to include, elevate, and create spaces where all voices are understood and heard. She has worked at Utah Valley University in roles that support students and their success while navigating the intricacies of higher education. Her passion for student success and education have shaped her and led her to pursue her Master of Education-Teacher Leadership degree. Julia is eager to continue to challenge the narrative and empower women everywhere!During her free time, she enjoys journaling, listening to music, dancing, and sharing her upbeat Latina personality!
Event Coordinator - Logistics
Krystal Yorgason is currently an Academic Advisor for the College of Science. Krystal is a first-generation student andaproud UVU alumna where she received her Bachelor of Science in Family Studies. While workingas a High School advocateshe found her passion for education which led her to pursue a Master of Science in Academic Advising from Kansas State University. Krystal values the role of women in higher education and the trail they are paving for future generations. She firmly believes that women need to help other women develop leadership skills, support one another, and encourage the use of leadership abilities. Krystalenjoys puzzles, reading on the beach, and spending quality time with her nieces and nephews.
Ambassador to Full time Faculty
Dr. Weihong Wang is an Associate Professor in the Department of Earth Science at Utah Valley University. She graduated with a Ph.D. degree in Marine Science from the University of South Carolina. Her research interests include anthropogenicimpact onwetland ecosystems, GIS and Remote Sensingapplications, and Energy Use and Sustainability.Her current research is focusing on nutrient loading to Utah Lake and land use land cover classification within the Utah Lake Watershed using GIS-remote sensing techniques.
Ambassador to staff
Frenely Liechty is the Assistant Director for TRiO Undergraduate Programs at Utah Valley University. She is the proud daughter of Guatemalan immigrants andwas born and raised in Provo, Utah. Frenely earned her bachelor’s degree from UVU in History Education and recently earned her master’s degree in Higher Education Leadership at UVU. She started working at UVU a year ago as a part-time advisor for TRiO and then transitioned to a full-time advisor. She was recently promoted to TRiO’s Assistant Director after graduating with her master’s degree. She is passionate about advocating for and helping individuals from underrepresented groups, especially women of color and single mothers. Frenely is a mom to four awesome kids and is a former Air Force spouse. She enjoys traveling, exploring other cultures, playing board games with her kids, being outdoors, and reading.
Ambassador to adjunct faculty
Natalie is the Leadership Programs Coordinator at Utah Valley University. She oversees student leadership development programs, advises students, and engages in various Student Life & Involvement areas. Natalie also enjoys teaches adjunct for the Department of Technology Management.
As a first-generation college student, she received her bachelor's degree in Psychology from Utah Valley University. In addition, she received a master's in Management & Leadership and an MBA from Western Governors University. Natalie was recently accepted to Gonzaga University, where she will be completing her Ph.D. in Leadership Studies.
Natalie is a certified Strengths Coach, certified 360-Feedback Coach, certified in Project Management, and holds CPE and CPE Train-The-Trainer through NASPA. Natalie received an Excellence in Teaching award from The National Society of Success and Leadership in 2019 and 2020.
Natalie is a self-proclaimed beach bum, lifetime Utah Jazz fan, and lover of Southern Utah. After over 5yrs of dating and three proposals, Natalie married her soulmate, Ryan, in 2011. In 2014 Natalie discovered her "why" when she became a mother to her daughter and will be welcoming a little boy in October 2021.
campus advisor
Dr. Bonnie Andersen is the past-president of the UWHEN UVU Chapter. She has been a faculty member in the Physics Department since 2008. Her research focus is in thermoacoustics, where heat energy is converted into sound energy, and acoustics of the clarinet and the human vocal tract. Her work with students has been presented at regional, national, and international conferences. In addition to research, she is an advisor to the Women in Physical Sciences Club and has received grants to send female UVU physics majors to regional events for undergraduate women in physics. In 2017, she organized STEM summer camps for first-sixth graders at UVU as part of UVU’s Continuing Education and has overseen the continuation of the camps. She has been a workshop presenter at Expanding Your Horizons and SheTech for four years. She has also given presentations and workshops at UVU Prep and Wolverine Day. She has volunteered at various physics booths for STEMfest, Expanding Your Horizons, Empowering Your Tomorrow, and other venues.
campus advisor
Linda Makin serves as the Vice President for Planning, Budget and Human Resources at Utah Valley University. With over 38 years of higher education experience, Linda has participated with and led numerous teams to achieve new heights and vistas. She serves on numerous committees at UVU as well as UVU’s ElevateHer liaison, a peer evaluator for NWCCU, and a member of the Business Affairs Council and Budget Officers System Subcommittee within USHE. Linda co-chairs the UVU women’s council and is chair of the Board of Directors for Utah Community Credit Union. She is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Utah Foundation. Linda earned a master’s degree in public administration from Brigham Young University and a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from Utah Valley University. She is actively engaged in professional organizations having presented at regional and national conferences.
