Advising & Retention
Welcome to Advising Services!
We are here to help you on your journey. Advising Services utilizes a one-stop shop foundation in order to assist students with academic advising, registration, financial aid, transfer assistance, and career guidance.
Advising Specialists will assist you to develop your academic plan, register for classes, direct you to resources on campus, provide financial aid guidance, and discuss transfer and career opportunities. Meeting with the Advising Specialist for your preferred area of interest is critical to ensuring that you choose the right program for your educational and career goals, and accomplishing your goal of graduation and/or transfer.
To make an appointment to speak with your Advising Specialist, please use the Advisor Scheduling App on the Student tab in your MyJeffCo portal. You can select the program or pathway you are interested in, and you will be able to schedule with the appropriate specialist. For help making your appointment, contact 636-481-3209 for the Hillsboro location or 636-481-3597 for the Arnold location.
If you do not have a login, please contact the Admissions Office for assistance applying to the college. If you are already a student and do not know your login information, please contact the Help Desk at (636) 481-3234.
Have a quick question? You can contact your Advising Specialist directly via email, or phone at 636-481-3000, using the extensions listed below. You can also send an email to advisor@jeffco.edu for assistance. This is monitored daily, Monday – Friday, and questions are answered as quickly as possible, with no response taking over 24 hours during the week. Questions submitted outside of designated hours will be answered during regular business hours.
Sarah Bright
Email: sbright@jeffco.edu
Phone: 636-481-3259
Majors: Accounting, Business Administration, Business Management, Culinary Arts, Economics, Sports Management
Hello friends, I’m Sarah Bright, longtime employee and alum of Jefferson College.I have witnessed the impact our institution can have on an individual, their family, and community. During my senior year, my dad was laid off from his job. Together, he, my sister, and I attended Jefferson College studying different programs. Then and now the institution effectively served traditional and adult learners. We received a quality education at an affordable price that led to three successful careers.
While at Jefferson College I identified and combined my two passions: business and
education.
I’ve entered my nineteenth year working for Jefferson College. I have served as
Director of Financial Aid, Director of Tech Prep, a business teacher, and now the
Advising Specialist for business majors.
As your advisor, I won’t choose for you, but will provide options and advice as if the
decision were my own.
Judy Ellison
Social Science, & Teacher Education
Email: sbright@jeffco.edu
Phone: 636-481-3259
Majors: Communications, Early Childhood Education, English, Foreign Languages, Health & Physical Education, Global Studies, History/Political Science, Philosophy, Pre-Law, Psychology, Social Work, Sociology, Speech & Drama, Teacher Education
Hello! My name is Judy Ellison and I am the Advising Specialist for Communications, Social Sciences and Teacher Education. I have a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from Truman University, Masters of Social Work from Washington University and I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.I spent a good portion of my career working in a clinical capacity and later as a preschool teacher and director, but felt the need to step back and take care of my family. I have 2 children and 2 grandchildren and a 3rd on the way! I have been married for 30 years and my joy is spending time with my family.
I entered higher education working in an Academic Success Center and advising incoming students at Missouri Baptist University. While my path to Jefferson College was not a direct one, I firmly believe I am in the right place. Jefferson College genuinely is a fantastic place to learn and I feel honored to work here. I fully believe that each student's educational journey is unique to them and it is my goal to support students in any way I can.
Diana Jacobs
Email: djacobs@jeffco.edu
Phone: 636-481-3263
Majors: Deciding/Exploring students
After over 25 years of serving students as their psychology professor, I switched my focus to working one-on-one with students, supporting their academic and professional dreams as their academic advisor. Along the way, I added personal and executive coaching to my skillset which allows me to ask powerful questions that prompt thoughtful student reflection, personal autonomy, and individual accountability. An additional hallmark of my advising style is the use of positive psychology as a means to remind students of their strengths, resiliency, and personal power while on their academic journey. When I’m not connecting with students, you can find me enjoying home life with my husband Tom and three furry and loveable beasts, Cooper, Buddy, and Cleo (AKA Itty Bitty)
Mandy McKay
Email: amckay1@jeffco.edu
Phone: 636-481-3211
Hello! I’m Mandy McKay and I am an Advising Specialist at Jefferson College. I work with the Pre-Nursing, Nursing, and the Health Information Technology students. I started working at Jefferson College in 2009 as a student worker and then was hired full time in 2011. I worked in financial aid for 11 years and switched to Advising in 2022. I love being able to help students on their educational journey!
I am an alumnus of Jefferson College. I graduated with my Associate of Arts degree in 2011. I graduated from Missouri Baptist University in 2017 with my bachelor’s degree, and in 2023 I graduated with my Master’s Degree from Missouri Baptist. Outside of work, I enjoy hanging out with my husband and our 4 kids, camping, anything outdoors, and crafting. If you have questions about Nursing or HIT I would be happy to help you get started on your educational journey!
Kyle Portell
Email: kportel5@jeffco.edu
Phone: 636-481-3256
Majors: Applied Technology, Apprenticeship Training, Automotive Technology, Computer Science, Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning, Precision Machining Technology, Radiologic Technology, Veterinary Technology, Welding
I graduated from Potosi High School in 2011, and then attended Mineral Area College where I earned my Associate of Arts degree in 2013. From there, I transferred to the University of Missouri - Columbia where I earned a Bachelor’s in Psychology, Sociology and minored in business in 2016.
Ever since then I’ve been working in different positions in higher education, initially serving in the Missouri College Advising Corps back in 2017-2018. I then accepted a position within the University of Missouri’s Financial Aid Department, worked there for several years, and learned quite a bit about the ins and outs of financial aid during that time. I enjoyed the quantitative nature of Financial Aid but still wanted to get back to my advising roots, so I accepted this position at Jefferson College back in late 2022 and have been advising my programs ever since.
My goal is to advise each student by meeting them where they are, and line them up for success within my pathway. Feel free to make an appointment using the Advisor Scheduling app in MyJeffco and we can meet to set up a schedule for the upcoming semester. I look forward to meeting with you soon!
David Smith
Email: dsmith70@jeffco.edu
Phone: 636-481-3261
Fine Arts: Art, Music
STEM: Biology, Chemistry, Engineering, Math, Physics/Physical Science, Pre-Professional programs (Medical, Dental, Pharmacy, Sonography, etc.)
A.A. Cowley College, B.S. Southwest Baptist University, M.S., Ed.S. Pittsburg State University, M.C.M., Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, Ed.D. (in progress), American College of Education
Michelle Conway
Email: mconway@jeffco.edu
Phone: 636-481-3225
Brandi Gallaway
Email: bgallaw@jeffco.edu
Phone: 636-481-3231
Kim Flora
Email: kflora1@jeffco.edu
Phone: 636-481-3285
Brenna Young
Email: byoung12@jeffco.edu
Phone: 636-481-3280
