Advisor Biographies

Elko Campus

Jason Brick, M.A.T.

Transfer Coordinator & Academic Advisor

AA/AS Majors/Programs of Study: Social Work, Associates of Arts, Associates of Science, and Land Surveying

I serve as the Student Transfer Coordinator at Great Basin College. I am happy to help anyone completing their degrees here get prepared for their next steps. I earned a B.A in History and a M.A. in Teaching from Marshall University. I have spent my career helping students as an educator, housing administrator and student advisor. I believe strongly in the value of highereducation and serving students in rural settings.

Mike McGhee

Academic Advisor

Certificates/AAS/AA/AS Majors/ Programs of Study: Business, Elementary and Secondary Education, Criminal Justice, and Social Sciences.

Mike McGhee is an academic advisor on the Elko Campus. Mike was raised in Elko and is an alumnus of GBC, earning his BA in Social Sciences. Prior to serving as an advisor, he served as GBC’s student recruiter, leveraging his understanding of and prior work experience in the fields of hospitality, mining, and education to connect students to GBC programs that would help them achieve their goals. When he is not advising, Mike enjoys spending time with his family, playing chess, and perfecting his natural talents in ping pong and dodgeball.

Adriana Mendez

Academic Advisor

Certificates/AAS/AA/AS Majors/Programs of Study: Advisor for Health Sciences: (EMS, Nursing Radiology), Human Services, Early Childhood Education, and English.

Hello, my name is Adriana, and I have served in a few different roles since I started working here at GBC with the most recent one being an academic advisor. One of the most enjoyable moments for me as an academic advisor is working closely with students and helping them achieve their academic goals. Plus, it is always great to see how much students evolve during the process of them turning their dreams into a reality. Being a part of our students' educational journey is extremely rewarding!

"Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today." -Malcolm Little

Arysta Sweat

Disability Services Coordinator

BIO - TBA

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amy Smith

Academic Advisor for CTE Programs at the Elko Campus

Certificates/AAS Majors/Programs of Study: Instrumentation, Diesel Technology, Electrical Systems Technology, Industrial Maintenance, and Welding Technology.

I serve as the Career and Technical Education Academic Advisor at the Elko campus. I am an Elko Native. I previously worked at GBC as a student worker in Admissions and Records for four years. That is where I met my husband, TJ, while enrolling him into CTE classes. I then left GBC and became a mom to my little boy Tripp. During this time, I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree in Social Work from the University of Nevada, Reno. After graduation I started working at the Elko County School District as a School Social Worker in Carlin, NV. I am so excited to be back with my GBC family! I believe all students can be successful and each student’s path to success is different.

Ely Campus

Mary Swetich

Academic Advisor

All Certificates/AAS/AA/AS Majors/Programs of Study, Dual Enrollment and Non-Degree Seeking.

After serving as the Director and academic advisor at GBC’s Ely Center for 20+ years, I remain part time on staff to assist students within our service area and online in staying on track in pursuit of their careers. I have the privilege of being recognized by GBC and the NSHE Board of Regents as advisor, instructor, and director. Having received a Bachelor of Science from Colorado State University, I also hold the coveted Honorary Bachelor of Arts degree from GBC and maintain Emeritus status. My daily goal is to help students achieve their aspirations by working through challenges and celebrating successes. Motivated and inspired by GBC students, I am honored to play a small part in their educational journey; we want students to be successful in preparation for their future. Academic advisement is the key, and we believe in GBC and our students.

Pahrump Campus

Manuel (Manny) Roa III

CTE Advisor

Recruiter, Assistant Instructor MMT Program, Associate of Science Machine Technology, Current Substitute Teachers license K-12 with the State of Nevada .

I am employed at Great Basin College, Pahrump Valley Center. My background is; I have served a formal Tool & Die Maker apprenticeship, while completing my Associate of Science in Machine Technology. My background is diverse as employment has taken me from the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, to Naval Undersea Warfare Engineering Torpedo Station, Keyport Wa. Then to 4 unique Hydroelectric Power Plants with the US Army Corp of Engineers. Throughout my career I have been involved in the machining field. And now I have a great opportunity to share my skill and knowledge with students in the MTT program as an assistant instructor.

I have a lovely patient spouse who has moved too many times to count, as each opportunity for advancement has come up. My children are grown and I have grandchildren who I love dearly! Before moving back to Nevada my wife and I used to like lake fishing, sitting, reading, and reeling in a fish now and then. Today we enjoy watching wildlife around our house, and community. And BBQing while spending time with family and friends.

Karina Lopez

Advisor

All Certificates/AAS/AA/AS Majors/Programs of Study, and Non-Degree Seeking

Hello, my name is Karina. I graduated from the University of Nevada, Reno with a bachelor's degree in Psychology and master's degree in Social Work. After graduating, I moved to Kansas to work as a School Based Therapist.

I am excited to be back in my home state and working with GBC students to help them succeed! In my free time, I enjoy traveling, baking, and spending time with family and friends. Fun Fact: I studied abroad in Reggio Emilia, Italy.

Winnemucca Campus/Battle Mountain

Jolina Adams

Academic Advisor

All Certificates/AAS/AA/AS Majors/Programs of Study, Dual Enrollment and Non-Degree Seeking.

I serve as an academic advisor at Great Basin College, Winnemucca Center. I began working for Northern Nevada Community College (now Great Basin College) in 1990. I earned my Bachelor’s degree in Social Science from GBC in 2007, my internship was in academic advising. I have served as one of the summer advisors at the Winnemucca Center since 2007, transitioning to my current position of NSHE Specialist I and Academic Advisor in 2018.

Jessica Johnson

Academic Advisor

All Certificates/AAS Majors/Programs of Study for CTE Programs at the Winnemucca Campus.

Jessica Johnson serves as a Career Technical Education Academic Advisor at the Winnemucca Center. She earned a Bachelor’s degree at Great Basin College in 2012. After graduating Jessica moved to Central Oregon, where she worked as a Transcript and Degree Evaluator for Central Oregon Community College for 4 years and really enjoyed that position. When an opportunity came to move back to Winnemucca, Jessica packed her family up and moved back to Winnemucca for her current position as a CTE Academic Advisor and Recruiter in Winnemucca. Jessica takes pride in helping individuals meet their personal and career goals. Outside of work, Jessica enjoys chasing her two small children Jocee and Jack around and spending time with husband Justin. Fun fact: I love cows and hope that in the future our cattle will move to Nevada too.

For More Information Contact

• Elko: 775.327.2068
• Ely: 775.327.5350
• Pahrump: 775.327.5210
• Winnemucca/Battle Mountain: 775.327.8200

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Why Great Basin College

Great Basin College, "The Gold Standard in the Silver State", offers associate and baccalaureate level education in academic, career and technical fields. Welcoming over 4,000 students annually from all corners of the country, both online and at our various campuses and centers, GBC's presence extends across two time zones and spans more than 86,000 square miles throughout Nevada. A leader in rural higher education, GBC takes pride in developing students who are well-prepared to meet the demands of industry and who contribute to the success and prosperity of the local economy.