Jen Bowen
Dean for Curriculum and Academic Engagement & Dean of APEX
Amber Larson
Director, Academic Resource Center
I am the Director of the Academic Resource Center and a proud First-Gen Student who found their passion in higher education and working with students as they achieve their educational goals and dreams.
I studied Theatre Management at Central College and earned my Master from American InterContinental University with a degree in Education and a specialization in Leadership of Educational Organizations. I recently also earned my Associate Certified Coaching credential from the International Coaching Federation.
When I am not supporting students, I enjoy spending time with family and friends, reading, and traveling with my spouse.
What I like most about Wooster is the commitment of all staff and faculty to provide a unique educational experience for all students. Our mentored education reaches far beyond the classroom and allows students to develop, grow, explore, and create an exceptional college experience.
consistency | relator | context | harmony | learner
Kate Gullatta
Senior Associate Director, Academic Resource Center
Hello! I am the Senior Associate Director of the Academic Resource Center (ARC) in APEX. I am a proud first-generation college student (Wooster alum!) and I know (first-hand) that college changes lives. I help students achieve their academic goals, become more comfortable in the classroom, and help them build their confidence as they figure out what’s next in their world.
I have a B.A. in Psychology from the College of Wooster and a M.S.Ed. in Higher Education from Purdue University. I am also a certified academic life coach and I love to integrate life coaching as I work with students to help them find their motivation and purpose.
I love Wooster for its commitment to individualized mentoring, support, and resources for students. When I’m not working, you’ll find me spending time with my family and friends around Wooster and Cleveland.
discipline | analytical | relator | consistency | individualization
Carly Jones
Assistant Director for Disability Support Services and Peer Tutoring, Academic Resource Center
I am originally from the Cleveland area where I did my undergraduate degree at Baldwin Wallace University (then College). I arrived to Wooster in 2002 after completing my Masters Degree in Education at Ohio University. I spent my first 16 years on campus in the Residence Life Office before moving over to APEX. My husband, Scott, and I love to travel and have three daughters who keep us busy with their athletics. I would love to help you with disability support, finding/becoming a peer tutor, or academic assistance.
responsibility | restorative | belief | arranger | adaptability
Krista Martin
Assistant Director of Academic Advising, Academic Resource Center
I am the Assistant Director of Academic Advising in APEX. Much of my time during the academic year is dedicated to working individually with students on academic planning, but I also work with my APEX colleagues on programs and initiatives to promote student retention and academic success. I train and supervise a group of 24 Peer Mentors, who are embedded in First Year Seminar classes and work through the academic year to support first year students. I am a member of the ARCH leadership team and am integrally involved in the training of the student ARCHers. I’ve been at the College of Wooster for 12 years. I am currently co-chair of Staff Committee, an elected group that advocates for college staff and fosters communication with college administration, faculty, students, and the Board of Trustees.
input | arranger | connectedness | relator | intellection
Mark Graham
Associate Dean of Academic Advising, Academic Resource Center
I serve as the Associate Dean for Academic Advising, in the Academic Resource Center. I have been in this role since 2022, but I have been involved with APEX-related programs for several years before joining the APEX team. In my role in academic advising, I can help students with any aspect of academic planning, including consultation on immediate decisions about registration for courses; and longer-term educational planning (“four-year plan”), involving discussions of majors, minors or Pathways. I also work with the ARCH program, helping new students start their academic journeys at Wooster; and regularly teach First-Year Seminar.
I am a faculty member in the Religious Studies Department. I teach a wide range of Religious Studies courses that contribute to the following programs: Museum and Archival Studies; South Asian Studies; East Asian Studies.
learner | context | relator | adaptability | restorative
Jackie Hamilton
Testing & Administrative Coordinator, Academic Resource Center
I am the Testing & Administrative Coordinator for the Academic Resource Center. My responsibilities include assisting students who visit APEX, supporting the staff of the Academic Resource Center and facilitating testing accommodations for students.
I was previously employed at the College in the Human Resources department and returned to Wooster in 2023 in my current position. As a non-traditional college student, I obtained a Bachelor of Arts degree in Family & Consumer Sciences from the University of Akron and completed master’s degree coursework through the university in the field of Child and Family Development.
One of the best parts about working in the Academic Resource Center at Wooster is establishing connections with students to help them be successful during their time here.
harmony | learner | consistency | discipline | responsibility
Meagen Pollock
Associate Dean of Experiential Learning, Professor and Department Chair of Earth Sciences
I’m a volcano-lover with a passion for teaching, undergraduate research, and DEI.
My research career began in the deep sea, where I studied mid-ocean ridges in the Pacific. Soon after, I started working in Iceland, first as an analogue for deep-sea volcanism, then with a focus on volcano-ice interactions. Since then, my research has taken me to other locations that experienced rift-related volcanism, including Pennsylvania and the American Southwest. I use a variety of geochemical techniques in my research and established Wooster’s X-ray lab for geochemistry. X-ray methods have an incredible array of diverse applications, and I have recently become interested in using our lab to analyze soils on interdisciplinary research projects.
At Wooster, the premier college for mentored undergraduate research, students are my primary collaborators. Whether they are my summer researchers, I.S. mentees, research assistants, or just taking one of my courses, I strive to create high-quality, inclusive research experiences for all. I have a scholarly interest in undergraduate research mentoring and have specifically selected my service and leadership roles on campus and through organizations like the Keck Geology Consortium, the Council on Undergraduate Research, and the Howard Hughs Medical Institute so that I can learn and promote best practices in undergraduate research.
Outside of my career, I love spending time with my dogs, hiking, traveling, and reading.
Strengths: Input | Strategic | Learner | Relator | Individualization
Justine H
Assistant Director of Career Planning
After spending over a decade in the corporate world, I was thrilled to shift into a career dedicated to making an impact. As the Assistant Director of Career Planning, I help prepare students for “what’s next” after graduation. I work with College of Wooster alumni and employers to connect students with opportunities that integrate their academic, personal and professional goals.
I received a liberal arts education in marketing and communications from Walsh University. My love for mentorship and career services developed at my previous organization. I recruited college students for internships, built customized mentorship programs, and collaborated with area employers and higher education career offices.
I enjoy hiking and watching historical documentaries (or the Wheel of Fortune, where I aspire to be a contestant).
Strengths: Achiever | Input | Strategic | Learner | Communication
Jamie Adler
Health Professions Advisor, Career Planning
I joined APEX in 2014 in the Global Engagement Office and now serve as the Health Professions Advisor in Career Planning. I help students plan their classes and offer advice on extracurricular activities and summer opportunities that will give them the necessary skills and experiences to succeed in the health professions. I also co-coordinate the Health Coach program with the Wooster Community Hospital.
I grew up in Madison, Wisconsin, and studied French and International Education at the University of Wisconsin – Madison where I earned my bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Before coming to Wooster, I spent about three years living and working in France with high school students who were learning English and with graduate students hoping to study abroad in the United States.
Having gone to a large public university where it was easy to feel anonymous and lost, I appreciate Wooster’s small campus environment. I value getting to know students personally, allowing me to be more thoughtful in our advising sessions.
Outside work, I enjoy spending time with my family, traveling to new places and returning to old favorites, taking my dog on long walks, and relaxing with a good book.
Strengths: Empathy | Input | Intellection | Learner | Adaptability
Jill Munro
Associate Director of Community Engagement
I have had the joy of working in a number of departments at the College since 2007. As of January 2023, I joined APEX and the Experiential Learning and Community Engagement team. My role is to strengthen the current partnerships between the College and the greater Wooster community – build new connections through AMRE projects, encouraging volunteerism, and local internships. I link students to community opportunities and hope to educate them on the importance and benefits of working and serving in your local community.
I have been in higher education for most of my professional career working in Admissions, Student Engagement, and Academic Affairs. I received a B.S. in Psychology from Bradley University and an M.A. in Educational Ministries from Wheaton College with an emphasis in Student Development.
I love working in Higher Education due to the tremendous growth of students I get to witness and be a part of during their four years. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity to work with students from all over the world – it has educated me and expanded my worldview in more ways than I could ever express.
Outside of work I love spending time with friends and family, golfing, biking, cooking and travel.
Strengths: Positivity, Communication, Woo, Empathy and Arranger
Specialties and Interests
Community EngagementDr. Peter Abramo
Director of Entrepreneurship
I manage the Entrepreneurship program at the College. This includes teaching a variety of Entrepreneurship courses, managing the Entrepreneurship Pathway, helping students create self-design majors related to entrepreneurship, and coordinating experiential learning and opportunities for students to engage with the entrepreneurship ecosystem of northeast Ohio and well beyond.
I have been at the College since 2012, arriving with previous experience in higher education, economic development, and industry. I have worked in the pharmaceutical and biotech industry, consulted with companies across a range of different industries from banking to manufacturing, am a Certified Economic Developer, started and ran a technology business incubator, and taught in a business school at a large university.
My favorite part of working at Wooster is teaching and advising students as they discover their interests and purse their education and skill development to prepare for their future. Wooster has such a wide mix of students from all walks of life and all over the globe. I get immense satisfaction out of watching their personal and professional development during their time at Wooster and after they graduate. I believe that my work has deep meaning.
Outside of work, I spend a lot of time in my shop building furniture and a variety of items from both wood and steel. My shop is my sanctuary and creative outlet. I am also a voracious reader. When the weather is nice, you may see me out hiking or on the golf course.
Strengths: Strategic, Achiever, Maximizer, Deliberative, Learner
Becky Webb
Pathways Program Coordinator, Peace Corps Prep Coordinator, GEO Admin. Coordinator
As the Pathways Program Coordinator, I get the privilege of meeting with students who are interested in exploring different ideas they have for their career. I’m an idea person, so I love hearing what students are interested in and helping them come up with possible ways to explore those interests. I also work to manage Pathways records with the Registrar’s Office and connect students with the faculty & staff on the Pathways teams.
In my role as the Peace Corps Prep Coordinator, I help students navigate the requirements of the program and discover ways to become involved with the Peace Corps if desired. Because the Global Impacts Pathway is closely aligned with Peace Corps Prep, I can offer a deeper level of assistance to that Pathway.
I love the way APEX offers students the chance to take what they’re learning in their classes and apply it to hands-on, practical experiences that prepare them for the professional world. I’m so grateful for the chance to be part of this work.
I came to the College of Wooster after 20 years in secondary education, focusing primarily on project-based learning and other experiential pedagogy, as well as students’ personal and professional communication skills. Taking my passion for experiential education and project-based learning into higher education through my work in APEX has been an exciting new direction in my career journey.
My BA is in Secondary Education (English and Psychology) from Cornerstone University. I have an MA in Teaching and Learning, Curriculum and Instruction from Nova Southeastern University and a Graduate Certificate in Outdoor Ministry and Leadership from Wheaton College.
After growing up in western Michigan and living in most of the Great Lakes states, as well as studying in Israel and teaching in Taiwan, I now live with my husband and three children here in Wooster. I enjoy outdoor activities such as camping, ice skating, and hiking, as well as travel, reading, laughing, and having intriguing conversations.
Strengths: Connectedness, Belief, Learner, Restorative, Ideation
