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.

 Vanessa Davalos-Ledesma

Academic Advisor III

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 III

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 III

Jennifer Uranga grew up in Mission, Texas and earned her Bachelor of Healthcare Administration from Texas State University (formerly Southwest Texas) in 2002. Prior to making her move to San Antonio, Jennifer's experience in higher ed included Academic Advising, Recruitment and coordinating Tutoring Programs for Coastal Bend College (Beeville, TX) and coordinating Healthcare Programs, Grants and Customized Training for Del Mar College (Corpus Christi, TX). She has been employed at UTSA since March 2008 and currently serves as the CFAC representative at the UTSA Downtown Campus.

Amanda Garcia

Academic Advisor III

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.

Gabe Rosas

Academic Advisor II

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 II

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.

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 Sciences and the College of Engineering. 

Matt Keneson

Academic Advisor I

Matt Keneson was born and raised in Silsbee, TX. He earned his B.S. in Sociology from Texas A&M University and his M.Ed. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (Higher Education Administration concentration) from UTSA. In his spare time, Matt enjoys playing with his dog, reading, being outdoors, and spending time with family and friends. His areas of specialization are the College of Sciences and the College of Engineering.

Tamika James

Academic Advisor I

Tamika James, originally from Mid-Western Missouri, earned her Bachelor of Social Work degree from the University of Central Missouri (formally Central Missouri State University), and a Master of Arts in Professional Counseling from Lindenwood University.  In her spare time Tamika enjoys traveling, reading, volunteering and spending time with family and friends.  Her areas of specialization are the College of Sciences and the College of Engineering.

Jade Martinez

Academic Advisor I

Jade Martinez was born in San Antonio, Texas.  She earned a B.S. in Biology from Trinity University and her M.Ed in Student Affairs in Higher Education from Texas State University.  Jade enjoys trying new restaurants, fashion blogs, midnight movie premieres and trips to Las Vegas. Her area of specialization is the College of Education and Human Development.

Miranda Swain

Academic Advisor I

Miranda Swain was raised in San Antonio. She earned her both her B.A. in Humanities and her M.A. in Education with an emphasis on Reading and Literacy from UTSA. She worked in the Tomás Rivera Center as a Student Development Specialist before joining CFAC. She enjoys spending time with her family and friends, as well as reading and watching movies. Her area of specialization is the College of Business.

Marshall Uhlig

Academic Advisor I

Marshall Uhlig was born and raised in the small town of Poth, Texas. He graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from UTSA at 21 and stayed at UTSA to get his M.A. in Counseling. He started working at UTSA as a Resident Assistant in the dorms and has been employed by UTSA in various forms ever since. Marshall says he owes a lot of his success to his parents. He enjoys playing basketball, good conversation, watching thought provoking movies and Whataburger. His area of specialization is the College of Education and Human Development.

Valerie Acosta

Academic Advisor I

Valerie Acosta was raised in Fresno, California. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Marketing from UTSA in 2008. Her higher education background began in the Office of Admissions at UTSA in 2004.  In her spare time, Valerie enjoys traveling, movies, reading and spending time with friends and family. Her areas of specialization are the College of Sciences and the College of Engineering.

Melinda Estrada

Academic Advisor I

Mel Estrada, a native of San Antonio, earned her Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies (History Concentration) from Our Lady of the Lake University and her Master of Library Science from Texas Woman’s University. She also spent two years at UTSA pursuing post-graduate study. Mel was previously employed with UTSA Libraries, spending seven years at the Downtown Campus Library and four and a half years at the John Peace Library. Her areas of specialization are the College of Education and Human Development, the College of Architecture, and the College of Public Policy.

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.