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Advising & Retention

Welcome to Advising Services!

We are here to help you on your journey.  Advising Services utilizes a one-stop shop foundation in order to assist students with academic advising, registration, financial aid, transfer assistance, and career guidance.

Advising Specialists will assist you to develop your academic plan, register for classes, direct you to resources on campus, provide financial aid guidance, and discuss transfer and career opportunities.  Meeting with the Advising Specialist for your preferred area of interest is critical to ensuring that you choose the right program for your educational and career goals, and accomplishing your goal of graduation and/or transfer.

To make an appointment to speak with your Advising Specialist, please use the Advisor Scheduling App on the Student tab in your MyJeffCo portal.  You can select the program or pathway you are interested in, and you will be able to schedule with the appropriate specialist.  For help making your appointment, contact 636-481-3209 for the Hillsboro location or 636-481-3597 for the Arnold location.

If you do not have a login, please contact the Admissions Office for assistance applying to the college.  If you are already a student and do not know your login information, please contact the Help Desk at (636) 481-3234.

Have a quick question? You can contact your Advising Specialist directly via email, or phone at 636-481-3000, using the extensions listed below.  You can also send an email to advisor@jeffco.edu for assistance.  This is monitored daily, Monday – Friday, and questions are answered as quickly as possible, with no response taking over 24 hours during the week.  Questions submitted outside of designated hours will be answered during regular business hours.

judy ellison2

Judy Ellison

Advising Specialist 

Communications,
Social Science, & Teacher Education

Email: jelliso3@jeffco.edu
Phone: 636-481-3260

Majors: Communications, Early Childhood Education, English, Foreign Languages, Health & Physical Education, Global Studies, History/Political Science, Philosophy, Pre-Law, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Speech & Drama, Teacher Education

Hello! My name is Judy Ellison and I am the Advising Specialist for Communications, Social Sciences and Teacher Education. I have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Truman University, Masters of Social Work from Washington University and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker. 

I spent a good portion of my career working in a clinical capacity and later as a preschool teacher and director, but felt the need to step back and take care of my family. I have 2 children and 2 grandchildren and a 3rd on the way! I have been married for 30 years and my joy is spending time with my family. 

I entered higher education working in an Academic Success Center and advising incoming students at Missouri Baptist University. While my path to Jefferson College was not a direct one, I firmly believe I am in the right place. Jefferson College genuinely is a fantastic place to learn and I feel honored to work here. I fully believe that each student's educational journey is unique to them and it is my goal to support students in any way I can.

diana jacobs

Diana Jacobs

Advising Specialist 

Career Guidance & Culinary Arts

Email: djacobs@jeffco.edu
Phone: 636-481-3263

Majors: Deciding/General Transfer Studies, Culinary Arts, & Not Degree Seeking (UN) students

After over 25 years of serving students as their psychology professor, I switched my focus to working one-on-one with students, supporting their academic and professional dreams as their academic advisor. Along the way, I added personal and executive coaching to my skillset which allows me to ask powerful questions that prompt thoughtful student reflection, personal autonomy, and individual accountability. An additional hallmark of my advising style is the use of positive psychology as a means to remind students of their strengths, resiliency, and personal power while on their academic journey. When I’m not connecting with students, you can find me enjoying home life with my husband Tom and three furry and loveable beasts, Cooper, Buddy, and Cleo (AKA Itty Bitty)
mandy mckay

Mandy McKay

Advising Specialist 

Pre-Nursing & Health Information Technology

Email: amckay1@jeffco.edu
Phone: 636-481-3211

Majors: Health Information Technology, LPN Level I, RN Level II

Hello! I’m Mandy McKay and I am an Advising Specialist at Jefferson College. I work with the Pre-Nursing, Nursing, and the Health Information Technology students. I started working at Jefferson College in 2009 as a student worker and then was hired full time in 2011. I worked in financial aid for 11 years and switched to Advising in 2022. I love being able to help students on their educational journey! 

I am an alumnus of Jefferson College. I graduated with my Associate of Arts degree in 2011. I graduated from Missouri Baptist University in 2017 with my bachelor’s degree, and in 2023 I graduated with my Master’s Degree from Missouri Baptist. Outside of work, I enjoy hanging out with my husband and our 4 kids, camping, anything outdoors, and crafting. If you have questions about Nursing or HIT I would be happy to help you get started on your educational journey!

kyle portell

Kyle Portell

Advising Specialist 

Technical Education

Email: kportel5@jeffco.edu
Phone: 636-481-3256

Majors: Applied Technology, Apprenticeship Training, Automotive Technology, Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning, Precision Machining Technology, Radiologic Technology, Veterinary Technology, Welding

I graduated from Potosi High School in 2011, and then attended Mineral Area College where I earned my Associate of Arts degree in 2013. From there, I transferred to the University of Missouri - Columbia where I earned a Bachelor’s in Psychology, Sociology and minored in business in 2016. 

Ever since then I’ve been working in different positions in higher education, initially serving in the Missouri College Advising Corps back in 2017-2018. I then accepted a position within the University of Missouri’s Financial Aid Department, worked there for several years, and learned quite a bit about the ins and outs of financial aid during that time. I enjoyed the quantitative nature of Financial Aid but still wanted to get back to my advising roots, so I accepted this position at Jefferson College back in late 2022 and have been advising my programs ever since. 

My goal is to advise each student by meeting them where they are, and line them up for success within my pathway. Feel free to make an appointment using the Advisor Scheduling app in MyJeffco and we can meet to set up a schedule for the upcoming semester. I look forward to meeting with you soon! 

david smith 2

David Smith

Advising Specialist 

Fine Arts & STEM 

Email: dsmith70@jeffco.edu
Phone: 636-481-3261

Fine Arts: Art, Music
STEM:  Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Math, Physics/Physical Science, Computer Science, Pre-Professional programs (Medical, Dental, Pharmacy, Sonography, etc.)

I have been in higher education for over thirty years as an admissions counselor, music professor, and an academic administrator for several community colleges in Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska. I have served Jefferson College since March 2021 as an advising specialist working with STEM and Fine Arts/Humanities transfer students. My wife Audry and I have seven grown children and fourteen grandchildren.

A.A. Cowley College, B.S. Southwest Baptist University, M.S., Ed.S. Pittsburg State University, M.C.M., Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Ed.D. (in progress), American College of Education 

Caleb Yochim Advising Specialist Career Education

Caleb Yochim

Advising Specialist 

Business & AAS CIS

Email: byochim@jeffco.edu
Phone: 636-481-3286

Majors: Accounting, Business Administration, Business Management, Economics, Sports Management, CIS

Hello, my name is Caleb Yochim. I began my time at Jefferson College as a part-time Academic Support Assistant in the Accessibility Resource Office in 2017. I transitioned to academic advising in 2021. I grew up in Jefferson County before I got my Associate of Arts degree from St. Louis Community College and moved on to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Political Science at Southeast Missouri State University. I worked as a server in a restaurant to support myself along the way. My life's goal is to serve people, and I have found that advising students at Jefferson College provides me the perfect opportunity to help people help themselves become who they want to be. I am deeply appreciative of the part I get to play in a student’s educational journey. When I am not working to support students, I am usually hanging out with my wife and our pet dogs and cat. I like to play hockey, contemplate life's eternal questions, and write. I look forward to working with you!

Michelle Conway

Michelle Conway

Retention Specialist

Email: mconway@jeffco.edu
Phone: 636-481-3225

Hi! My name is Michelle Conway. I graduated from DeSoto High School in 1998, with several dual credit classes completed through Jefferson College. I attended Southeast Missouri State University and earned a bachelor's degree in Mass Communication. In 2004, I began working in the television studio here at Jefferson College. In 2007, I made the move to Student Services as an admissions representative. During that time I returned to school and finished my master’s degree in Counseling. Over the course of my 20 years at Jefferson College I have worked in marketing, admissions, financial aid, advising and the Registrar’s office. I am currently the Retention Specialist, working with students on suspension to help them return to good academic standing. As a native of Jefferson County, and a previous Jefferson College student, I enjoy helping the people of our community overcome their obstacles and achieve their educational goals! Feel free to reach out to me if you have any questions or are ready to give your college career another try!
brandi gallaway

Brandi Gallaway

Student Development Coordinator

Email: bgallaw@jeffco.edu
Phone: 636-481-3231

Hello, my name is Brandi Gallaway and I am the Student Development Coordinator here at Jefferson College. I earned an Associates of Arts Degree from Jefferson College in 2005 and then a Bachelor of Science in Education in 2005 and Master of Science in Higher Education Leadership in 2022 from Missouri Baptist University. I did this while working and raising two wonderful girls. I taught Kindergarten, second, fourth, and fifth grades at a private Christian school for 12 years before taking a position at MBU as a Freshman Academic Advisor. After transferring to the MBU Jefferson College Regional Learning Center, the Student Development Position came open, and I jumped at the opportunity. Organization, leadership, student success, and fun events are my specialty. If you have any questions regarding Student Clubs, Organizations, or Community Partnerships, please feel free to contact me.
kim flora2

Kim Flora

Assistant Director of Advising & Retention

Email: kflora1@jeffco.edu
Phone: 636-481-3285

As a long time employee of Jefferson College, with 18 years of experience, I still love being able to help students through their educational journey. I have had multiple roles at JeffCo, and have worked with new students, continuing students, worked as a Veteran’s Certifying Official, transfer credit evaluator, and am now working with dual-enrolled students. Being able to work with various groups, and a variety of majors has made every day a little bit of an adventure! I like to spend my free time with my family, and am an avid reader.
brenna young2

Brenna Young

Director of Advising & Retention

Email: byoung12@jeffco.edu
Phone: 636-481-3280

Hello! I am Brenna Young, the Director of Advising & Retention. I got my start in higher education as a part-time advisor at Jefferson College in 2011, and this experience instilled in me a passion for helping students find their path. I now have over twelve years of experience in higher education, specifically in academic advising. I studied theater as a student at Jefferson College and at Southeast Missouri State University, and I recently completed my Master's Degree in Higher Education Leadership from Missouri Baptist University. When I am not dedicating my time to helping students achieve their goals, I am spending time with my husband, son, and two Great Danes. I enjoy singing, walking, playing tennis, and shuttling my kiddo to all his events and play dates.