Staff
On this page: Academic Services & Advising | Academic Operations | Communications | Operations
Academic Services & Advising
Crystal Galván
Graduate Programs Manager & Advisor
The Graduate Programs Manager & Advisor acts as lead advisor and oversees academic services for current and prospective graduate students in the Cultural Studies, Policy Studies, and Creative Writing & Poetics programs. Also has day-to-day responsibility for managing the annual cycles of recruitment and outreach, admissions enrollment, advising, and program completion.
Crystal’s Bio:
Crystal Galván brings five years of experience in supporting students from minoritized, low socio-economic, and first-generation backgrounds in higher education. She earned a dual degree from Washington State University; B.A. in Comparative Ethnic Studies with a minor in Spanish and a B.A. in Sociology. Crystal earned her master’s from the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) in Latin American and Latinx Studies (LALS). In her most recent role as a Coordinator for the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program at Purdue University Northwest, she led the preparation of McNair Scholars for graduate education (i.e. summer research internship, graduate portfolio seminars, and scholarly workshops) and managed day-to-day operations. Crystal was born and raised in Omak, Washington, and is proud of her migrant/farmworker background. In her free time, Crystal likes to go out dancing, listen to Bad Bunny & El Alfa, play with her cat Tomás, and spend time with her family!
Phone: 425-352-5350
Email: iasgrad@uw.edu (Graduate Students), galvanc@uw.edu (direct)
Eva Navarijo
Director of Academic Services
The Director of Academic Services provides leadership for IAS academic services which includes admissions, enrollment management, and course scheduling for graduate and undergraduate programs. The Director also oversees academic advising for IAS students.
Eva’s Bio:
Eva Navarijo comes to IAS with 12 years direct experience advising first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented university students in academic, study abroad, and residence hall settings. She also brings significant experience with grant-funded program management and assessment. As the former director of the First Scholars program at Washington State University she has overseen programming, counseling, and advising for first-generation college students; led a living learning community for first-generation college students; and co-founded First-Generation Abroad, to increase access to study abroad and global leadership learning opportunities. She also trains faculty and staff on best practices for engaging and serving first-generation students. As an undergraduate at Washington State University, Eva participated in TRIO Student Support Services and was selected to join the McNair Achievement Program. She graduated with an Honors BA in English, focused on Multicultural Literature and Pedagogy. She completed graduate studies at Saint Louis University in the American Studies program.
Phone: 425-352-5350
Email: navarijo@uw.edu
Academic Operations
Wisam Berry
Assistant Director for Curriculum and Academic Operations
The Assistant Director for Curriculum and Academic Operations plays a vital role in consistent, successful delivery of academic programs for students, including course management, curriculum documentation, time schedule development and maintenance, and front desk operations for our busy advising office.
Wisam’s Bio:
Wisam Berry believes access to a great college education is a right for all, and he avidly works to remove barriers to education for first generation and other marginalized groups. Wisam’s goal is to ensure that students have the support for an equitable experience with education. Wisam is originally from Dearborn, Michigan (hometown of Henry Ford and Ford Motor Company). He attended the University of Michigan for a B.A. in Sociology with minors in Women Studies and Social Work. He attained his M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction at the University of South Florida. He has worked most recently in Residential Life overseeing a Fraternity and Sorority Community and other Residence Halls at both South Florida and the University of Washington Seattle. Wisam enjoys watching movies, cooking & baking, playing ball with his corgi Luna, and going on leisure hikes with his wife.
Phone: 425-352-3576
Email: wyberry@uw.edu
Rachel Foote
Associate Director of Academic Operation
Provides data analysis to IAS Faculty, Staff, and Leadership in support of student enrollment, curriculum planning, course staffing, assessment, admissions, and enrollment management.
Rachel’s Bio:
Rachel Foote joined IAS in 2005 as an academic advisor and became Assistant Director of Academic Services in 2011. The best part of that role for her is working with passionate and dedicated faculty and staff. Rachel completed her undergraduate education at the University of Minnesota in English and History. She decided to pursue advising as a career as a result of her undergraduate peer advising experiences. Prior to IAS, she worked as an advisor in University of Minnesota’s College of Liberal Arts and Seattle Community College’s Women’s Programs and Work First Services. She also has a background as a stage manager for theater, which explains a lot.
Email: rfoote@uw.edu
Samantha Mafune
Academic Operations Program Coordinator
Provides assistance with course management and curriculum support. Also provides support with time schedule construction, course fee approvals, syllabi documentation, and more.
Samantha’s Bio:
Samantha Mafune started her journey at UWB in the Fall of 2020 as the Covid-19 pandemic hit. She is a recent Community Psychology graduate, gaining her Bachelor’s degree from UWB School of IAS. As a transfer student, she spent time at community college exploring different career paths. Throughout achieving her Associate’s Degree, she simultaneously worked a multitude of jobs including retail, housekeeping, and medical consulting. Working and attending school allowed Samantha to connect with different individuals and communities which ultimately led to the ability to make genuine connections with clients, patients, professors, and other students. These experiences are what influenced her decision to major in Community Psychology. Upon graduating in June of 2022, she briefly worked with the UW School of Medicine in the Education Quality Improvement department analyzing student survey responses regarding medical school experiences. Samantha is thrilled to be a part of the IAS scheduling team. As she believes that higher education should be accessible and welcoming to all individuals if that is what they want to pursue.
Email: smafune@uw.edu
Jennifer Cabarrús
Environmental Science Lab Coordinator
Jennifer’s Bio:
Jennifer Cabarrús is a first-generation UW alumna who graduated in 2003 with a Bachelor of Science degree from the School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, UW Seattle. She loved UW so much she never left, bringing over 20 years of experience in scientific research and lab management to her IAS Environmental Sciences Lab Coordinator role. She is passionate about Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging and served as a DEIB Committee Lead during her last two years on the Seattle campus. Outside of work, she loves hanging out with her fur family, exploring the world, eating good food, and occasionally making theatre with her husband.
Email: jc242@uw.edu
Communications
Madison Nikfard
Communications & Events Specialist
Coordinates day-to-day communications for internal and external audiences, supervises SEC’s, and provides full-cycle event management to strengthen broad-based engagement with the mission and goals of IAS
Madison’s Bio:
Madison Nikfard is proud to be a UW Bothell alumna, first-generation student, & previous Husky 100 recipient. She holds a BFA in Media & Communications Studies and an MFA in Creative Writing & Poetics. Her passions for education, art, and literature have driven her to pursue a career in marketing and administration over the past 7 years. She is excited to expand student outreach, resources, and accessibility as she continues her work with the School of Interdisciplinary Arts & Sciences in this new role. Outside of work, Madison writes & publishes books, spends time with her border collie, plays Minecraft with her partner, and visits local stationary stores.
Email: mnikfard@uw.edu
Operations
Sakara Buyagawan
Assistant to the Dean
The Assistant to the Dean is responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of the Dean’s Office. The position serves as a communication liaison with campus and IAS leadership, as well as community leaders and alumni.
Sakara’s Bio:
Sakara Buyagawan began her journey with IAS as a transfer student in 2014. After graduating with a degree in American and Ethnic Studies, she transitioned out of high-end retail operations to work in higher education at a private college. In 2018, Sakara returned to the School of IAS, as a staff member. Since then, she has transitioned through a few different roles such as program assistant and program coordinator, and is now currently the Assistant to the Dean. Sakara is a Washington native, PNW enthusiast, and ardent animal lover! When not at work she spends most of her time on her family farm in Woodinville or with her rescue dog Izzy on one of Washington’s many hiking trails.
Email: sakara04@uw.edu
Olivya Cerdinio
Operations and Fiscal Assistant
Provides operational and general support for the IAS Operations team. Helps facilitate reimbursement processes. Assists and provides support for IAS Fiscal projects.
Olivya’s Bio:
Coming from a family of Dawgs, Olivya Cerdinio graduated from UW’s Seattle campus with a degree in American Ethnic Studies and a diversity minor. With a passion and interest in nonprofit work, she joined the UW Bothell community in 2022 working as a Benefits Hub Coach in partnership with the United Way of King County, providing basic needs resources to students from both UW Bothell and Cascadia College. She is excited to take her skills and experiences to contribute to the mission and values of IAS and the UW as a whole. In her free time, she enjoys going to the gym, spending time with her loved ones, trying new foodie spots across the greater Seattle area, and partaking in self-care rituals and activities.
Email: ocuc@uw.edu
Veronica Childs
Academic Administrative Specialist
Responsible for managing processes and communications related to all routine AHR activities within the School of IAS. This includes hiring, new appointment processing, onboarding, reappointments, promotion & tenure, reviews, sabbaticals, and any attendant voting processes.
Email: vchilds@uw.edu
Kristine Echert
Fiscal Specialist
Provides support for the School of IAS in areas relating to general fiscal operations.
Email: iasfacre@uw.edu
Kelly Stockman McKee
Administrator
Oversees fiscal and administrative operations for the School, including academic human resources/personnel, with responsibility for sustainable resource management; strategic planning; and decision support.
Kelly’s Bio:
For over 30 years, Kelly Stockman McKee, MPA, a UW alum, has led development and growth of social sector organizations in Washington that promote justice and strengthen our communities, including YouthCare, MENTOR Washington, Friends of the Children Seattle, Washington State Court-Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), and Puget Sound Educational Service District – Head Start. Throughout her career, Kelly has engaged in collaborative, interdisciplinary practice to develop effective and equitable strategies, programs, systems, and policies. She has served in many volunteer leadership roles to build coalitions and engage in advocacy. Kelly enjoys outdoor adventures with her husband, two grown daughters, three teen stepsons, and her dog.
Email: kellysr1@uw.edu
Tabetha Sheppard
Academic Administrative Assistant
Provides operational and administrative support for the IAS Operations Team with a specific focus on supporting Academic Human Resources processes and functions. Also provides general support for the Operations Team including clerical/administrative support for special projects and scheduling meetings.
William Schubert
Operations Coordinator
Provides operational and administrative support for the IAS Operations Team and Dean’s office. Point Person for IAS Operations team in facilitating communication to support faculty requests. Point Person for IAS faculty and UW Bothell Fiscal and Audit Services (FAS) to facilitate the centrally supported reimbursement process. Provides assistance to faculty and staff seeking assistance with purchasing or reimbursement as well as the FAS staff processing these requests. Coordinates projects and process improvements as needed for the IAS Operations team.
William’s Bio:
William Schubert comes to IAS with over 8 years of experience in customer service, communication, and organization that he has developed over the course of his professional and academic career thus far. He is excited to further expand upon his professional skillset in the IAS Operations Team, and is looking forward to advancing his career in the field of Education. William graduated from the University of California, Berkeley with a B.A. in Anthropology. He is an Eagle Scout, was born in Houston, TX, pursued his higher education in the San Francisco Bay Area, and moved to the Greater Seattle Area towards the end of 2021. In his free time, he loves experiencing other cultures through travel, playing board/card games, performing musical theater, and playing with his two cats, Goose and Iris.
Email: wschub@uw.edu
Kyle Yim
Budget/Fiscal Analyst
Provides support for the School of IAS in areas relating to general budget and fiscal operations.
Kyle’s Bio:
Kyle Yim brings his accounting, customer service, and communication experience to IAS. He began his career with an accounting firm where he assisted in audits such as inventory for private companies. He then joined the UW Medical Center – Cardiology Division, where he was in charge of payroll and monthly budget reconciliations for a large organization. Kyle looks forward to expanding his professional skills with IAS. Kyle graduated from UWB with a BA in Business Administration in 2020. While attending UWB he was the president of the accounting club – Beta Alpha Psi from 2019-2020. In his free time Kyle is an active member of a public speaking club. He also enjoys reading, playing video games, hiking, and spending time with family.
Email: iasfacre@uw.edu