Student Success Advisor
Academic Advisor
Student Success Advisors for the College of Liberal Arts are located either in the Mass Communications building or the Liberal Arts building.
Chris Palmer
cpalmer3@uco.edu; 405-974-5567; LAR 125B
CRIMINAL JUSTICE-GENERAL, CRIMINAL JUSTICE-POLICE, CRIMINAL JUSTICE-CORRECTIONS, SPANISH, SPANISH EDUCATION, GERMAN, GERMAN EDUCATION, FRENCH AND FRENCH EDUCATION
Chris received his Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication/Broadcasting in 1998 and Master of Education in Adult Education-Training in 2016 from the University of Central Oklahoma. He truly breathes and bleeds bronze and blue! Chris started his professional career at UCO as the Supervisor of Housing Operations for over four years. He believes a positive well-rounded academic and social experience starts with on-campus living, especially for freshman and sophomores. Getting involved with different clubs and organizations will increase your success at UCO. Being on-time for class, participating, and being present, put your odds of graduating on the positive side! Chris enjoys spending quality time with his kids and wife. Last year, he added someone to the family, Cotton, who’s a Bichon Frise. Some of his hobbies include watching Oklahoma City Thunder games, movies, concerts, and reading books and magazines. Chris has an “open door” policy and loves to help students succeed at life.
Gary Parsons
gparsons2@uco.edu; 405-974-5140; MCOM 103A
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION, PHOTOGRAPHIC ARTS, PROFESSIONAL MEDIA, ORGANIZATIONAL COMMUNICATION, STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS
Gary received a Bachelor of Science in Church Music from Southwestern Assemblies of God University in 1996 and is currently seeking his Masters of Education in Adult Education – Lifelong and E-Learning here at UCO. Gary has been in the “people business” all of his life and loves interacting with students. Helping students achieve their degree is a challenge and one that he is ready to accept. Gary has an open door policy and is here to assist the students with their advising challenges and needs.
Jeannine Nyangira
jnyangira@uco.edu; 405-974-5818; LAR 125
English, English Education, English - Creative Writing, English - Technical Writing, Sociology, Sociology - Human Services, Sociology - Substance Abuse Studies
Jeannine was born in Kenya, raised in Lincoln, Nebraska, and lived for fourteen years in Wheaton, Illinois (a suburb of Chicago). After attending Wheaton College (B.A., Christian Education) and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (M.A., English), she taught Composition and Business Writing at Doane College in rural Nebraska and Composition at Kennedy-King College in urban Chicago. Most recently, she worked for five years in Admissions at Wheaton College before becoming a Student Success Advisor at UCO in 2011. Having moved to Oklahoma in 2010, she’s been pleasantly shocked by how friendly Oklahomans are and enjoys living here — although when football Saturdays roll around, you can find her screaming for her Nebraska Huskers! Jeannine loves the liberal arts and what they can do for a soul by opening one up to the world. She’s also passionate about connecting people with the information they need. As a Student Success Advisor, she’s excited to connect students with resources/ideas/opportunities that will enhance their college experiences.
Lacey Taylor
ltaylor35@uco.edu; 405-974-5817; LAR 125
Applied Liberal Arts, Geography, History, History Museum Studies, History Education, Humanities, Philosophy, Political Science and Political Science-Public Administration
Lacey was born in Wichita, KS, but immediately returned to Oklahoma where she grew up in a small, rural community called Deer Creek – Lamont. Upon graduation from Deer Creek – Lamont High School, Lacey attended Northern Oklahoma College on the Tonkawa Campus where she earned her Associates of Science degree. Lacey then transferred to the best university in the state, the University of Central Oklahoma (Go Bronchos!), where she earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Community Health. Lacey is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree at UCO in Adult and Higher Education with a focus area in Training. Lacey started her professional career at UCO as a Transfer Specialist where she spent three years assisting Transfer Students and developing a passion for helping students. As a Student Success Advisor, she provides information regarding available resources in order for students to succeed in their education at the University of Central Oklahoma. Lacey enjoys outdoor activities with her husband, Tim, and their chocolate lab, Duke. She appreciates visiting with old friends and making new ones wherever she goes – she’ll brighten your day with a good laugh and her country charm. She also loves baking and crafting. Lacey has an “open door” policy and she welcomes you to stop by to visit her at any time.
Gina Kincade
gkincade@uco.edu; 405-974-5108 ; MCOM 103A
Interpersonal Communication, Photographic Arts, Professional Media, Organizational Communication and Strategic Communications
Gina was born in Oklahoma City and grew up in Ponca City. She studied music business and marketing at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee, receiving a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1997. Gina worked in publicity at RCA Label Group in Nashville for two years before marrying a Navy pilot and beginning the nomadic life of a military spouse in 1999. Over the next 14 years, Gina and her husband Matt along with their two sons, Brandon and Kyle, lived in Texas, California, Nevada, and Iowa before returning home to Oklahoma in 2013. Gina was awarded a Master of Science in clinical mental health counseling with a specialization in crisis and trauma from Walden University in November of 2015. After working in the mental health field for a year, Gina turned her focus to higher education where she strives to help freshmen get their academic careers off to a strong start. In her spare time, Gina loves spending time with family and friends, watching her son Brandon play electric bass in the School of Rock Edmond house band and attending her son Kyle’s gymnastics meets.
