Joan Tsacalis

CFAC Director

Joan Tsacalis, originally from Buffalo, New York, earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Cincinnati and her M.Ed. in Counseling with an emphasis in Student Affairs from Texas State University. Joan has been with UTSA since 2001, but has worked in higher education for 17 years, 11 of which in advising administration. Joan oversees advising activity at the CFAC. She enjoys playing flute, singing in the choir, and most of all, being a mom.

Dainon Deviney

Associate Director

Dainon Deviney, a native Texan, earned both his B.S. in Geography and his M.Ed. in Student Affairs from Texas State University. His background is in Student Activities, Orientation, and Academic Advising. In his spare time, Dainon enjoys hanging out with friends, listening to live music of all kinds (especially Texas Music), cooking, and traveling.

Margaret Garcia

Senior Administrative Associate

Margaret Garcia was born in San Antonio and raised in Von Ormy, a small town south of San Antonio. She has a B.A.  degree in Liberal Studies with a Communication emphasis from Our Lady of the Lake University. Her background is in Student Activities and Freshmen Orientation. She values time with her husband and three daughters and loves to scrapbook, play volleyball and take pictures. She also enjoys cooking for family and friends and listening to country music.

Sherree Kessler

Academic Advisor III

Sherree Kessler is a Texas native. She earned both her B.A. in English and her M.S. in Educational Administration (SAAHE) from Texas A&M University. Sherree worked in Student Activities for four years. Her areas of specialization in CFAC are the College of Sciences and College of Engineering. In her spare time, Sherree enjoys spending time with her husband and their five furry children (four cats and a Chihuahua).

Sharis Slocum

Academic Advisor II

Sharis Slocum was raised in San Antonio. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Texas at San Antonio and her M.S. in Educational Administration (SAAHE) from Texas A&M University. She worked in the Office of Student Activities at UTSA for seven years before joining CFAC. Her area of specialization is the College of Liberal and Fine Arts.  In her spare time Sharis enjoys traveling, watching movies and scrapbooking. 

 Vanessa Davalos-Ledesma

Academic Advisor II

Vanessa Davalos-Ledesma was born and raised in San Antonio. She earned her B.A. in Speech Communications from Texas A&M University and her M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from UTSA. She first began working for UTSA in Outreach Programs, and has also worked for Northside Independent School District, as an Afterschool Coordinator. Her area of specialization is the College of Liberal and Fine Arts. In her spare time, Vanessa enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Donna Ware

Academic Advisor II

Donna Ware was raised in San Antonio. She earned both your B.A. in Criminal Justice and her M.A. in Counseling from UTSA. She has been employed at UTSA for over 16 years with both UTSAPD & PTS offices before joining the CFAC team. She enjoys spending time with family and friends as well as reading and watching old movies. Her area of specialization is the College of Business.

Jennifer Uranga

Academic Advisor II

Angelina Garza

Academic Advisor II

Angelina Garza was born and raised in San Antonio. She earned her B.S. in Biochemistry from St. Mary’s University and her M.A. in Counseling from UTSA. She worked in the UTSA RISE and MARC programs before joining the CFAC team. In her spare time, Angelina enjoys spending time with friends and family. Her area of specialization is the College of Business.

Amanda Garcia

Academic Advisor II

Amanda Garcia was born and raised in Mission, TX. She obtained her BBA in General Business from UTSA. Before joining CFAC, she spent five years working in UTSA’s Financial Aid and Enrollment Services Office and two years working as a Transaction Coordinator for a local real estate company.  Amanda enjoys spending time with her family, reading, photography and watching movies. Her area of specialization is the College of Business. 

John Grogan

Academic Advisor II

John Grogan, originally from Southern Indiana, earned his B.S. in Secondary Education (Social Studies concentration) and his M.S. in Counseling both from Indiana University. He is an Air Force veteran and a first-time Texas resident having relocated from Knoxville, Tennessee. His background is in academic advising and restaurant management. His specialization within CFAC is the College of Liberal and Fine Arts. In his spare time, he enjoys fantasy football, exercising, live music, and exploring the great state of Texas.

Kerith Stanton

Academic Advisor II

Kerith Stanton was born in Corpus Christi, Texas. She earned her B.A. in Psychology from the University of Texas at Austin and her M.Ed. in Counseling and Guidance with an emphasis in Student Affairs from Texas State University. She enjoys running, yoga, and spending time with family and friends. Her areas of specialization in CFAC are the College of Sciences and College of Engineering.

Gabe Rosas

Academic Advisor I

Gabe Ismael Rosas, a native of this great state of Texas, earned a B.A. in Anthropology and a Minor in Native American Studies and is pursuing a M.A. in Educational Leadership and Public Policy Studies at UTSA. Gabe has been employed at UTSA for over 9 years with Student Affairs before joining Academic Affairs. In his spare time, Gabe enjoys traveling, extreme sports, hiking and going on archaeology excavations. His areas of specialization in CFAC are the College of Architecture and College of Public Policy.

Myrna Perez

Academic Advisor I

Myrna Perez was born and raised in McAllen, TX. She earned a B.A. from the University of Texas at Austin, double majoring in Sociology and Spanish (Hispanic Studies Concentration), then received a M.Ed. in Adult and Higher Education from the University of Oklahoma. She has experience in the areas of Orientation, Retention, Admissions, Recruitment, Financial Aid, Advising, and as the coordinator of a federal grant. Her areas of specialization are the College of Sciences and the College of Engineering.

Annette Levario

Academic Advisor I

Annette Levario was born and raised in Pecos, TX.  She earned a B.A. in Social Studies from Our Lady of the Lake University and her M.Ed in Counseling and Guidance with an emphasis in Student Affairs from Texas State University.  In her spare time, Annette enjoys  going to the movies, live Texas country music, dancing, and spending time with her friends.  Her area of specialization is the College of Education and Human Development. 

Julie Fisher

Academic Advisor I

Julie Fisher, originally from Victoria, Texas, moved to San Antonio to attend UTSA where she earned her B.S. in Computer Science.  She has previously worked with Learning Communities and her background is primarily in the First Year Experience.  In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, baking, reading, and spending time with family and friends. Her area of specialization is the College of Education and Human Development. 

Front Desk Staff

The CFAC front desk staff schedule appointments, check students in for walk-in advising, answer general questions, and keep the office running smoothly. The CFAC Administrative Assistant is Hortense Porter Stokes and the Student Assistants include: Alex Fuentes, Nancy Bendele, Alecia Arceaux-Kimble, Faith Bagot, and Kelsi Hickman.