Our Mission
The mission of the Undergraduate Development Center is to support the Questrom community by providing intentionally designed programs and services to enrich the academic, personal, and professional development of students in a respectful, inclusive, and equitable learning environment.
Want to make an appointment with an advisor? Use Handshake, call 617-353-2650 or stop by the UDC.
Undergraduate Development Center Staff
Check out the our staff below and learn more about them and their interests both inside and outside of Questrom!
Deanna Baker (she/her)
Assistant Director, Academic Advising
Deanna joined the UDC after nine years at the Archaeological Institute of America, where she worked in member services. She received her BA in Archaeology from BU and, during her studies, excavated at a Mycenaean site in Greece. She is a double Terrier having also completed her EdM in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from BU Wheelock. Originally from Ohio, Deanna has volunteered with children and youth educational programming throughout her life and this commitment to education informed her transition into higher education. In her spare time, Deanna enjoys reading, baking, and exploring Boston’s many pastoral cemeteries.
Focus Area: External Transfers
Questions? Email Deanna at drbaker@bu.edu
Sophia Barrett (they/them)
Sophia Barrett started at the UDC as Senior Program Coordinator in July 2023, fresh from receiving their MBA from Northeastern University in Organizational Leadership and Healthcare Management. While they were in graduate school, Sophia worked at the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston in a strategy and innovation role. Prior to that, they received their BA in biological anthropology from Skidmore College. As Senior Program Coordinator, Sophia is responsible for conducting and coordinating the selection, processing, supervision, and assignment of 10-15 undergraduate student worker staff members each semester, providing general advising on both academic and career matters, serving as a liaison between the UDC and non-student stakeholders, and managing the UDC’s budget.
In Sophia’s free time, they love to play heavy metal on the drums, visit East Coast beaches to hunt for sea glass, and spend time with their partner, Kay, and their husky, Luna.
Questions? Email Sophia at sbarr01@bu.edu
Kelly Cronin-Sachleben (she/her)
Assistant Director, Academic Advising
Kelly comes to the UDC from Brown University, where she was a study abroad advisor for 4½ years. Prior to that, she held interim roles in advising, student activities, and residence life at various New England institutions while raising her children. One of Kelly’s first full-time jobs was as the Danielsen/Lower Bay State Road Hall Director in the late 1990’s! (fun fact – she got married at Marsh Chapel) Kelly grew up in Baltimore, MD, earned her Bachelor’s degree in English from Assumption College and her Master’s degree in College Student Personnel from Bowling Green State University. Her family lived in London from 2012-2013, which has fueled her passion for international immersion opportunities. Kelly loves helping students find their academic passions within a holistic framework. In her spare time, Kelly enjoys reading, traveling, theater, sports, coffee and craft beer, and spending time with friends and family.
Focus Area: International students and study abroad
Questions? Email Kelly at KellyCS@bu.edu
Danielle R. Desjardins, EdD (she/her)
Born and raised in Connecticut, Dr. Desjardins is a proud to assist in the leadership of the UDC team and is really excited to called Boston her new home! As a first generation college graduate, Dr. Desjardins has earned a Bachelors degree in Psychology from the University of Saint Joseph, a Masters degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology from the University of New Haven, and an EdD in Higher Education Leadership from Regis College, Danielle believes in the power of education and lifelong learning and the impact of representation in higher ed. Professionally, Dr. Desjardins has spent her career serving as a passionate advocate for student veterans, military affiliated students, and transfer students and has spent over 10 years in the field of higher education. Outside of work, Danielle enjoys live music, yoga, spin (hey Peloton!), floral arranging, and cooking at her new home in Brighton with her furry friend, Lance.
Focus Area: Academic Advising and Leadership Support for the Advising Team
Questions? Email Danielle at drdes@bu.edu
Zoe Hoyt (she/her)
As the Assistant Director of Student Engagement, Zoe manages all student events for the UDC, works with Questrom affiliated student organizations, and serves as the supervisor for the Senior Program Coordinator and the work-study front desk student workers. Zoe also manages the UDC marketing communications and the office financial administration.
Zoe has been with BU since June 2022. Before joining the UDC, Zoe served as a Student Affairs Specialist at Purdue University working closely with over 1,000 student organizations. Zoe is no stranger to BU as before working at Purdue University, Zoe was an Operations Coordinator at BU’s Goldman School of Dental Medicine’s Continuing Education office. We are so excited to have Zoe back at BU within the UDC at Questrom.
Zoe holds a Master of Science in Higher Education Administration from Purdue University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Communication from Curry College. In Zoe’s free time, she likes to eat donuts, pet cows, and spend time with her fiancé Cameron and their pup, Garrett.
Questions? Email Zoe at zstaude@bu.edu
Lindsey Itzkowitz (she/her)
A true New Englander, Lindsey grew up on the South Shore in Massachusetts before receiving her B.A. from the University of Connecticut in journalism and sociology (Go Huskies!)Lindsey then went on to receive her M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration from Boston University. Lindsey has spent the last decade dedicating her career to working with undergraduate students across multiple disciplines, including education, human development, the liberal arts, and of course, business. When she is not working, you can find Lindsey spending time with friends & family, running, cooking, and getting in as much outdoor time as possible. Lindsey loves helping students to excel holistically in their college career all the way from orientation through commencement. As Associate Director, Lindsey will focus on supporting students to achieve academic success and oversee special programs including, study abroad, the Questrom Honors Program, and the Academic Success Program.
Focus Area: Oversight of special programs including, study abroad, the Questrom Honors Program, and the Academic Success Program
Questions? Email Lindsey at lindseyi@bu.edu
Robyn Johnson (she/her)
Originally from New Jersey, she holds a B.S. in Nutritional Sciences from Cornell University (’13) and an M.S. in College Student Development & Counseling from Northeastern University (’16). You can find Robyn working on a number of initiatives in the UDC, with a particular focus on supporting Freshman and planning their Orientation experience. She aims to empower students to take responsibility for their educational experiences through a blend of challenge and support and encourage them to engage in academic and personal problem solving and decision making. Robyn currently resides in Brighton, MA, and in her “free time” can be found reading, running, and pursuing her MBA.
Focus Areas: Freshmen and Orientation
Questions? Email Robyn at robynj@bu.edu
Liz Katz (she/her)
Liz is a born and raised Massachusetts “South Shore” native having grown up here and gone to school at Emerson College in Boston. With a BFA in Theatre Production & Management, she loves live performances but has always preferred musicals to plays as the idea of being able to sing and dance your problems away has always held a certain appeal to her. Not that long after completing her undergrad she came to Boston University to complete an M.Ed. in Higher Education Administration and has never looked back. When she’s not working you can find her hanging out with friends, family, and her cat (she’ll show you far too many pictures if you ask), and following her favorite band around the world when they tour. If you visit her office you’ll see plenty of pictures of U2 from many of the shows she’s attended over the years (over 30!). Another perk of visiting her in her office is getting to enjoy the rocking chair as well as all of her plants. While she loves helping students plan out their time here at Questrom and BU, what she truly enjoys is working with students to fully realize what they want from their college experience as they make that transition into the “real world” as growth happens in all areas, not just academics.
As Associate Director, Liz will be focusing on our new student populations, whether they start with us as first-year students or transfer to us later in their academic careers, to help acclimate them to Questrom life so that they can make the most of their experience here.
Focus Areas: New Student Populations
Sarah Mesnik (she/her)
Sarah Mesnik has been pulled out of retirement after 15 years of raising kids to come back to the UDC. Her current role is a utility player supporting both the academic advising and operations teams. In addition to helping students at the front desk, Sarah is also the go-to academic advisor for students interested in the Dual Degree Program. Previously she was an Academic Advisor in the UPO from 1998 through the end of 2000. Her career there was cut short due to an early delivery of her first child. Originally from Lexington, currently from Needham, Sarah earned her BA from Tufts and her MA in Higher Education from Boston College.
Questions? Email Sarah at smesnik@bu.edu
Rachel Reiser (she/her)
Rachel Reiser is the Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Student Experience & Services here at Questrom. She often can’t believe that she has worked in undergraduate business education for over 20 years! (That’s a lot of time for an Asian Studies major in college!) You can catch her — among her other less exciting responsibilities — getting to know students at Coffee & Conversation, her fun “pop-up” events, and just around Questrom in general. She does some other stuff aside from work, and a few of her favorites include reading, cooking, word games (think Wordle, crossword puzzles, the Spelling Bee), biking, and kayaking! She loves to chat about these things, including favorite books, recipes, etc!
Rachel was honored and humbled to be one of two recipients of the Boston University Honorary Scarlet Key Award in 2020, presented to faculty, staff, trustees, or alumni in recognition of exemplary leadership and positive impact on others.
Questions? Email Dean Reiser at rreiser@bu.edu
Sally E. Ward (she/her)
Sally E. Ward joined the staff at Questrom in March 2001. Prior to that date she worked in the Department of Athletics here at the University as well as the Office of Financial Assistance. She also worked at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard. Sally advises undergraduate students, those students enrolled in CGS planning to continue to Questrom, and serves as the Intra-University Transfer advisor. She works with the Office of Financial Assistance regarding the awarding of Restricted Scholarship funds and serves as the liaison to the Student-Athlete Support Services Office in the Department of Athletics. She has a B.A. in History and an Ed.M. in Higher Education from Boston University. Outside of Questrom she enjoys films, reading, being outdoors, and spending time with her dog and her friends and their dogs.
Focus Area: Intra-University Transfer Students and CGS Students Continuing to Questrom
Questions? Email Sally at seward@bu.edu
Jarrod Wetzel-Brown (he/him)
Outside of the Questrom UDC, Jarrod enjoys baking, reading, oil painting, playing video games with his twin brother (who is his best friend!), writing poetry, exploring Boston, and quality time with his cherished ones.
Focus Area: Inclusivity and Underrepresented Student Group Resources, Student Academic Success Program, and the Questrom Honors Program
Questions? Email Jarrod at JarrodWB@bu.edu