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.
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.
Languages: English (native)
Focus Area
External Transfers
Questions? Email Deanna at drbaker@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.
Languages: English (native)
Focus Area
International students and study abroad
Questions? Email Kelly at KellyCS@bu.edu
Danielle R. Desjardins, EdD (she/her)
Director, Academic Advising & Student Services
As a Boston transplant (originally from Connecticut), Danielle is proud to provide leadership to Team UDC and the Questrom Ascend Fellowship program. Danielle has earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Saint Joseph (CT), a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology from the University of New Haven (CT), and a Doctor of Education (EdD) in Higher Education Leadership from Regis College (MA). As a first-generation college graduate, Danielle believes in the power of education & lifelong learning, and the impact of representation in higher education. Professionally, Danielle has spent her career serving as a passionate advocate for all students; and has spent over 10 years in the field of higher education. Outside of work, Danielle enjoys EDM, Afrobeats & House music, yoga, floral arranging, reading, and cooking at her home in Brighton with her furry friends Andee, Azula, & Banks.
Languages: English (native), Spanish (conversational)
Focus Area
Academic Advising and Leadership Support for the UDC Advising Team, Leadership support of the Ascend Fellowship Program
Questions? Email Dr. Danielle at drdes@bu.edu
Juanita Henao (she/her)
Academic Advisor
Born in the U.S. and raised in Colombia, Juanita brings a multicultural perspective and a deep commitment to helping students feel seen and empowered. She received her Bachelor’s in Business Administration with a concentration in Cross-Cultural Marketing and Management from BU, an independent program she designed to better understand people from diverse backgrounds. She also studied abroad in London and is always happy to share stories from her time there. Juanita joins the UDC after working here as a student assistant throughout most of her time as an undergrad, and is beyond excited to help students at BU find their way, having been in their shoes recently. In her free time, you can find her dancing to Latin music, pretending she’s a professional chef, sewing, reading, and trying new restaurants.
Languages: Spanish (native) and English (fluent)
Questions? Email Juanita at juanitah@bu.edu
Zoe Hoyt (she/her)
Associate Director, Student Engagement
As the Associate 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, she was an Operations Coordinator at BU’s Goldman School of Dental Medicine 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 husband Cam and their pup, Garrett.
Languages: English (native)
Questions? Email Zoe at zstaude@bu.edu
Lindsey Itzkowitz Aronson (she/her)
Associate Director, Academic Success & Special Programs
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.
Languages: English (native)
Focus Area
Oversight of special programs including, study abroad, the Questrom Honors Program, and the Academic Success Program, Inclusivity and Underrepresented Student Group Resources, Student Academic Success Program, and the Questrom Honors Program
Questions? Email Lindsey at lindseyi@bu.edu
Liz Katz (she/her)
Associate Director, New Student Programs
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.
Languages: English (native)
Focus Area
New Student Populations
Questions? Email Liz at lkatz@bu.edu
Lexy Lattimore (she/her)
Academic Advisor
Lexy joins the UDC after ten years of performing professionally (contemporary ballet, theater, and music) and working as a trauma-informed social worker. She received her BA from Duke University, where she majored in History and received honors in Dance. She completed her Master’s in Social Work as a Mandel Leadership Fellow at Case Western Reserve University. Originally from Chelmsford, MA, Lexy has toured the world performing with contemporary ballet companies and singing with renowned musicians. Outside of the office, you will find Lexy in the dance studio, in the vocal booth, or on stage. In Lexy’s free time, she likes to try new restaurants, visit museums, read, and spend time with her partner, Ven (a triple BU alum!), and their two cats, Cleveland and Mia.
Languages: English (native), Spanish (conversational)
Questions? Email Lexy at lexy@bu.edu
Eboni Marion (she/her)
Assistant Director, Academic Advising
Eboni Marion is a Boston-loving New Yorker who joined the staff at Questrom in 2024. She has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology (with a minor in Africana Studies) from Cornell University and a Master’s degree in Counseling from Loyola Marymount University (located in Los Angeles). Eboni has lived in South Korea for several years working as an English Instructor, and has also lived on one of the beautiful islands of Hawai’i working in Residential Life at the University of Hawai’i. Prior to joining the UDC, Eboni managed several teams of career coaches assisting individuals from refugee and immigrant populations to find work in the Boston area. In her current role, she will be helping students successfully navigate their college experience through graduation. She will also serve as advisor to the Peer Advising Program and to the LOCK tutoring program. Outside of work, Eboni enjoys traveling, dancing, tending to her indoor plants, creative projects, exploring the city, learning new languages, and being a self-proclaimed foodie!
Languages: English (native), Korean (intermediate)
Focus Area
First Generation students and students from historically underrepresented backgrounds.
Questions? Email Eboni at emarion@bu.edu
Abbie Mello (she/her)
Academic Advisor
Abbie joins the UDC following a year of experience as a Business Systems Analyst. She earned her Bachelor of Business Administration in Operations and Information Management from the Isenberg School of Management at UMass Amherst in 2024. A Massachusetts native, Abbie was raised in Bridgewater and now resides in the Boston area. She is deeply passionate about mental health advocacy and is dedicated to promoting student success and well-being through her role as an academic advisor. Outside of work, Abbie enjoys taking walks, exploring local coffee shops, baking, and spending time with her two cats, Milo and Leo.
Languages: English (native)
Questions? Email Abbie at ammello@bu.edu
Sarah Mesnik (she/her)
Front Desk Administrator
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.
Languages: English (native)
Questions? Email Sarah at smesnik@bu.edu
Rachel Reiser (she/her)
Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Student Experience & Services
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.
Languages: English (native)
Questions? Email Dean Reiser at rreiser@bu.edu
Alicia Sartori, EdD (she/her)
Academic Advisor
Alicia grew up in Connecticut, strayed to Louisiana for a BA in English at Loyola University, and then moved to Massachusetts to pursue an MA in English from UMASS Boston. Her first foray into higher education was as an English teacher with the United States Peace Corps in Guizhou, China. She continued teaching writing for 14 years at Northeastern University and Babson college – and she is happy to take a look at your writing sometime! Alicia received a Doctorate in Education from Northeastern University, researching the relationship between domestic and international students on US campuses. In her spare time, she scribbles speculative fiction stories, tries new cuisines (eating and cooking), and dreams of summer when she can plant vegetables in her garden.
Languages: English (native)
Questions? Email Alicia at sartoria@bu.edu
Sally E. Ward (she/her)
Assistant Director, Academic Advising
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.
Languages: English (native)
Focus Area
Intra-University Transfer Students and CGS Students Continuing to Questrom
Questions? Email Sally at seward@bu.edu
Yolanda Yao (she/her)
Assistant Director, Academic Advising
Yolanda brings a strong background in academic advising, multicultural support, and program development. With an international educational background spanning China, Japan, and the United States, Yolanda deeply values cross-cultural learning and the global student experience. Her time abroad shaped her commitment to supporting international and first-generation college students and informs her approach to guiding students through both academic and cultural transitions. She is passionate about student development and is dedicated to helping students build confidence, clarify their goals, and cultivate a strong sense of belonging at Questrom.
Yolanda holds a Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling from Boston College and a Bachelor of Liberal Arts in Economics from Waseda University. Outside of work, she enjoys cooking, walking, playing badminton, watching films, and traveling whenever she can.
Languages: English (fluent), Chinese (native)
Focus Area
First-Year Students
Questions? Email Yolanda at yaoyn@bu.edu
Boston University Questrom School of Business
Undergraduate Development Center
Rafik B. Hariri Building
595 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 102
Boston, MA 02215
Undergraduate Development Center
Rafik B. Hariri Building
595 Commonwealth Avenue, Suite 102
Boston, MA 02215