About Us
The Center for Undergraduate Exploration & Advising (CUE&A) Success Advising Team is dedicated to helping students achieve their goals. We help students succeed at CU Denver by providing academic advising and
programming for College of Arts and Media first-year students, and those who are still exploring majors.
What is Success Advising?
It's our goal to help you select a major and to provide accurate and current information to assist you in getting into the degree program of your choice.
Success Advisors
- Are interested in you and your story
- Believe you possess the strengths and talents to be successful in college
- Help you learn to make effective decisions
- Assist you in setting and attaining academic and career goals
- Recognize you have a life outside of school
- Explain and clarify university rules and requirements
- Help you choose a major and an academic pathway that aligns with your interests and skills
- Make referrals to other services when needed
The Success Advising Team
Denée Janda, Director of University Advising
What inspires me? People’s ability to learn, grow, and overcome challenges.
If I could provide a new college student only one piece of advice, what would it be? Approach situations with curiosity – you never know who you might meet or what you might learn!
What was my undergraduate major? Communication Studies, with minors in Music, History, Geology, and Psychology
What is my favorite quote? “The what in your life and work will only ever be as good as the authentic why of your life and work.” Zach Mercurio
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Kelli McAntee Swenson, Assistant Director of University Advising
What inspires me? Professionally, students finding their academic passion or their "a-ha!" moment as well as a group of people coming together to address a complex problem inspire me. In my personal world, I am constantly in awe of activists and artists.
If I could provide a new college student only one piece of advice, what would it be? Good things take time! Be patient with the process and with yourself as you navigate all new things.
What was my undergraduate major? Political Science and Ethnic Studies
What is my favorite quote? "It is in collectives that we find reservoirs of hope and optimism" - Angela Davis
John Patsey, Senior Success Advisor
What inspires me? I am inspired all of the time, by all of it, and by everyone. I cannot be alive and not be constantly in awe.
If I could provide a new college student only one piece of advice, what would it be? Travel somewhere far away with a good friend and tattered journal and write about it.
What was my undergraduate major? Bachelor of Arts in English, Minor in History
What is my favorite quote? "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the
trade winds in your sails." ~ Mark Twain
Regina Rodriguez, Senior Success Advisor
What inspires me? When I witness an ordinary person doing something extraordinary for another person.
If I could provide a new college student only one piece of advice, what would it be? Choose a pathway that comes naturally to you.
What was my undergraduate major? Bachelor of Arts in Biology with a Minor in Chicano Studies
What is my favorite quote? "The essence of a man can not be described in one word."
Terri Winston, Senior Success Advisor
What inspires me? Music really inspires me. Music can make me feel a wide range of moods, I.E happiness, sadness, inspiration, and motivation.
If I could provide a new college student only one piece of advice, what would it be? Check your school email frequently!
What was my undergraduate major? Bachelor of Arts in History with a Minor in Economics
What is my favorite quote? “I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” ~Maya Angelou
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Brittany Arredondo, Success Advisor
What inspires me? I am constantly inspired by those around me, whether it be my family, friends, students, or colleagues. I believe everyone has a different story to tell and hearing those stories and perspectives inspires me to continue to learn and grow!
What was my undergraduate major? Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Human Development & Family Science.
If I could provide a new college student only one piece of advice, what would it be? Give yourself grace and remember to ask questions! This is a big transition in your life and it’s okay to not have everything figured out yet. Sometimes a little help can make a big impact!? Bachelor of Arts in Psychology with a minor in Human Development & Family Science.
What is my favorite quote? “Be like a flower. Survive the rain but use it to grow."
Hannah Callahan, Program Operations Specialist
What inspires me? I love music! It is what inspires me the most because it is the one thing that gets me up in the morning without fail. It keeps me motivated whether at work, the gym, or relaxing it always keeps me going throughout the day. I also love working and meeting with new people, it fuels my natural desire for constant learning!
If I could provide a new college student only one piece of advice, what would it be? Stay involved in extracurricular activities! It is the best way to create long lasting friendship and a perfect fun way to network!
What was my undergraduate major? I graduated from North Park University in December 2022 with A Bachelor of Arts degree in General Business.
What is my favorite quote? “Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that
matter." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
Our Mission
Our primary purpose is to assist students, through a system of shared responsibility between student and advisor, in the development of meaningful educational plans that will be compatible with career aspirations and contribute to the process of preparing for a life of change, challenge, and individual fulfillment.
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