Our Team
Professional Advisors/Specialists
Lindsey Grasmick, MA
Education: BA in Human Performance and Physical Education from Adams State University (C0). MA in Sport Management from Minnesota State University, Mankato.
Professional Experience: Lindsey spent a decade as a collegiate track and field coach – six of those years as the head coach at Western Colorado University. She later transitioned into academic advising at Colorado Mesa University, where she worked closely with freshmen in majors ranging from engineering and math to education and social & behavioral sciences.
What do you do when you are not advising? Lindsey loves spending time outside – running, hiking, mountain biking, camping, Nordic skiing – to name a few of her favorite activities. She also enjoys live music, reading, and spending time with friends and family.
What is your take on advising? Lindsey is passionate about helping students define what success means to them. She believes in meeting students where they are, and offering support through all the twists and turns college can throw. She knows there’s no one-size-fits-all path, and she genuinely enjoys walking alongside students as they discover their own direction.
Tina Krauss, MA
Education: BA in Communication (Adverting) from WSU 1998. MA in American Studies Digital Diversity with an Emphasis in Women’s Studies from WSU 2006
Professional Experience: Tina advised in the School of Biological Sciences for 4 years and in Criminal Justice for 5 years before beginning her position as a Pre-Health Specialist for Pre-Vet and Pre-Optometry students with the HPSC in 2022. Prior to being an adviser, Tina taught American Studies and English for the WSU Global Campus and worked in the Registrar’s Office, Residence Life, the Student Advising and Learning Center, and Writing Programs.
What do you do when you are not advising? Tina likes to travel whenever she can and visit zoos wherever she goes. She also likes to go on adventures with her son, whether it be trying foreign snacks, watching history documentaries, or traveling to new parks and towns.
What is your take on advising? I believe that academia should be fun, and I help students find the balance during college that will help them succeed in the classroom, while building the experiences they need to market themselves in the future.
Michele Larson, Ph.D., M.S., M.Ed.
Education: Associates degree from Spokane Falls Community College and B.S. in Biology/Zoology from the University of Washington. M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction and M.S. in Biology from Eastern Washington University. Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Wyoming.
Professional Experience: Michele was a high school biology and math teacher before returning to university for graduate school. She was a biology instructor and lab coordinator at the University of Wyoming for four years before switching to an advising position. She advised STEM students for two years at Michigan State University before joining the HPSC at WSU in 2025.
What do you do when you are not advising? Michele enjoys a variety of hobbies including reading, quilting, knitting, writing, painting, and photography. She likes to travel to and hike in National Parks with the aspiration of visiting all National Parks in the lower 48. She recently visited Great Smoky Mountains National Park and has visited 23 of the 36 National Parks in the Western United States.
What is your take on advising? As an advisor, Michele provides students with the knowledge and skills they need to be successful. To ensure that students are prepared for their journey in college and beyond, she provides students with guidance, access to resources, and a safe environment to discuss successes and challenges they face both academically and personally. Throughout her interactions with students, Michele listens to their goals and perceived barriers for attaining these goals and helps them develop strategies and plans to overcome these barriers and reach their dreams.
Taylor Mather
Education: BS in Biology from Washington State University. MS in Counseling and Student Development from Kansas State University
Professional Experience: Taylor has been working in higher education for the last 9 years in various capacities. He spent time working as an academic advisor for education students at Central Washington University, and most recently was a TRIO Student Support Services academic advisor for STEM and healthcare students at Big Bend Community College.
What do you do when you are not advising? Taylor’s main hobbies include reading science fiction and fantasy novels, running marathons, and spending time with his family. When traveling, he likes exploring new places to run and finding local coffee shops to enjoy. His goal is to one day run all the world marathon majors.
What is your take on advising? Taylor uses the Appreciative Advising model when working with students. He got into academic advising because of the unique way in which that role interacts with students, getting to know them and figuring out the best way to support them for their success. His goal is to provide students with the tools, knowledge, and resources that they need to make informed decisions about their college journey.
Haoyu (Jane) Zeng, MS
Education: BA in International Studies and Sociology from The Ohio State University. MS in Higher Education Administration and Policy from Northwestern University.
Professional Experience: In 2024, Jane earned her master’s degree and worked as a Graduate Assistant at Northwestern University Health Professions Advising office. She also brings research expertise from her project: exploring perceptions of Generative AI among pre-health students. Her experience demonstrates a strong commitment to student success and academic support.
What do you do when you are not advising? Jane prioritizes “Jane time” and activities that help her recharge. She enjoys reading books and watching history documentaries, which allow her to relax while learning something new. Jane also likes to explore local coffee shops and hang out with friends.
What is your take on advising? Jane believes in actively engaging with advisees to understand their needs and goals, and to provide the support and guidance needed to successfully navigate their academic and career journey with confidence, rather than making choices for advisees.