Prospective Student Advising
NOTE: Students admitted for Spring 2026, Summer 2026 or Fall 2026 will need to wait to meet with their advisors until their Orientation. We do not have capacity to meet with incoming students prior to orientation. If you have not registered for Orientation, please visit orientation.utah.edu. Students completing virtual orientation will make an appointment with their academic advisor as part of the virtual orientation session.
Have questions about the Mechanical Engineering program?
Prospective students can email or schedule an in-person or video appointment with their future academic advisor below:
Undergraduate Academic Advisors
Prospective graduate students can refer to the Graduate Program page for more information.
Undergraduate Academic Advisors are assigned by the student’s last name.
Ben Danh (he/him)
Academic Advisor, Students with Last Names A-Cl
Ben is originally from Salt Lake City and completed a Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Utah in Sociology with a minor in Economics and certificate in Diversity. After, he would continue onto graduate school and earn a Master’s degree in Educational Leadership & Policy with an emphasis on Student Affairs. Ben enjoys gaming, spending time with family, and exploring downtown with his friends.
Vanessa Pei (she/her)
Academic Advisor, Students with Last Names Co – G
Vanessa is originally from Beijing, China. In 2023, she earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Washington in Seattle, with a double major in Education, Communities and Organizations, and International Studies. After graduation, she moved to Nashville to pursue her Master of Education in International Education Policy and Management at Vanderbilt University’s Peabody College, where she also earned a certificate in Emerging Learning Technologies and AI. Vanessa enjoys exploring nature, discovering around the city, and traveling to new places.
Bianca Reyes (she/her)
Academic Advisor, Students with Last Names H – Lj
Bianca is from West Valley, Utah, and is the only member of her family from the state. She calls Utah home but feels connected to many parts of the world, having spent much of her life traveling to visit family across California, New York, and Central America. In 2022, she earned her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Women and Gender Studies from Weber State University. Passionate about exploring new experiences and building meaningful connections, Bianca enjoys the outdoors, dancing with friends and family, and discovering diverse cultures.
Rheannon Burnside (she/her)
Academic Advisor, Students with Last Names Lo – Pe
Rheannon is originally from Little Rock, Arkansas and completed a Bachelor’s Degree at the University of Central Arkansas in History with a minor in Anthropology in 2017. Soon after, she worked at Yellowstone National Park and then transitioned to a role in marketing at an edtech company in Arkansas. In 2021, Rheannon continued onto graduate school and earned her M.Ed. with an emphasis in Student Affairs from the University of Utah in 2023. In her free time, she loves playing board games with friends, exploring Salt Lake City, and taking her dog, Thunder, on new adventures!
Morgan Sriphong-Ngarm (she/her)
Academic Advising Coordinator, Students with Last Names Pf – Sc
Morgan is originally from Reno, Nevada and completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Secondary Education with an emphasis in general sciences from the University of Nevada, Reno. Following graduation, Morgan moved to Iowa to complete her graduate degree in Higher Education Student Affairs from Iowa State University. She loves to hike, play volleyball and soccer, travel to new places with her husband, and is excited to explore Salt Lake City.
McKenna Jensen (she/her)
Academic Advising Coordinator, Students with Last Names Se – Z
McKenna is originally from Boise, Idaho and earned a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree with the Actors’ Training Program from the University of Utah and continued her theatrical training in both London and New York City. She later worked in public education as a Secondary ELA teacher. McKenna continues to appear in theatrical productions all over the Salt Lake Valley. In her free time, she loves to write, spend time with friends and family, and raid record stores for great vinyl albums.