Meet the Team
Sally Bremer
Administrative Coordinator, Undergraduate Advising
sbremer@bu.edu
Sally Bremer supports excellence in advising for all of BU’s undergraduate students. With the Director for Undergraduate Advising and Student Support, she collaborates with faculty, staff, and central units on campus to develop resources, events, and trainings for advisors. She staffs the Office of the Provost’s Advising Network Committee and its various subcommittees, including the Advisor Education and Development event series Subcommittee, the Advising Symposium Subcommittee, and the Advising Awards selection Subcommittee. Sally manages the undergraduate advising website and coordinates logistics for all undergraduate advising initiatives. She also supports the efforts of the Assistant Directors of First-Year Success who provide holistic advising to first-year undergrads who start in the fall.
Prior to BU, Sally worked as an events and marketing coordinator for Harvard Book Store. Sally holds a bachelor’s degree in English and theatre arts from the University of Minnesota, Morris and an MFA in theatre – stage management from Wayne State University.
Daniela García Estrella
(she/her)
Daniela García Estrella works primarily with first-year students in the College of Arts & Sciences and the College of General Studies (CGS).
Daniela previously worked as an Admissions Counselor at the University of Miami. She graduated from Dartmouth College with a degree in Psychology and a minor in Education. She earned her Master’s in Education from the Harvard Graduate School of Education. As a former low-income, first-generation student, she understands how difficult it may be to navigate college and hopes to demystify the process for first-year students.
Daniela enjoys dancing, cooking, playing board games, and spending quality time with her family in her free time.
Courtney Ianiro
(she/her)
Courtney Ianiro works primarily with first-year students in the College of Communication, the College of Fine Arts, Wheelock College of Education & Human Development, and the College of General Studies (CGS).
As an undergraduate, Courtney was a student-athlete and team captain on the Bridgewater State University softball team. Courtney has spent time in various roles within higher education and is passionate about collaboration, connection, and growth with students, faculty/staff, and campus officials. Prior to joining the undergraduate affairs team, Courtney was the Assistant Director for Student-Athlete Support Services at Boston University. Before coming to BU, Courtney was the Graduate Assistant to the Director of Athletics at Averett University.
Courtney holds a BS in Physical Education and Leadership with a minor in Psychology from Bridgewater State University, and later completed her Master’s of Business Administration with a concentration in Leadership from Averett University. Courtney resides in Framingham, MA with her wife Meg and their dog Poppy.
Lucie Levine
(she/her)
Lucie Levine works primarily with first-year students in the Pardee School of Global Studies, the Questrom School of Business, and the College of General Studies (CGS).
Lucie comes to the First Year Success Initiative from Combined Enrollment Services at Boston University, where she worked as an Enrollment Service Advisor, focusing on enrollment, admissions, and financial aid. Lucie graduated from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec in 2015 with her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Development. She is currently working on her Master’s in Business Administration through the Questrom School of Business here at BU.
In her free time, Lucie loves cooking, baking, reading, true crime podcasts, and puzzles. She enjoys spending time outdoors and spending time with family and friends. Lucie resides in the Greater Boston area with her partner Josh and their mini Bernedoodle Arugula.
Dandan Liang
(she/her)
Xidan (Dandan) Liang works primarily with first-year students in the College of Arts & Sciences and the College of General Studies (CGS).
Dandan came to the United States in 2010 as a Chinese international student. Before coming to BU, Dandan worked as the program officer at the Academic Success Center in the Ross School of Business at the University of Michigan. During her time in Michigan Ross, she worked with incoming first-year students who are underrepresented in Ross. She provided resources, seminars, workshops, and academic support for her students, which helped their transition from high school to UofM.
Dandan received her BA in Chinese Language and Literature from Qingdao Agriculture University, M.A. in Teaching English to Speakers of other Languages and M.S. in Human Development and Leadership from Murray State University. She completed 60 hours of PhD credits in Higher Education Administration at BGSU. She also received her Design Your Life Coach Certificate from the Design Lab in Stanford University.
During her free time, Dandan loves spending time with her two kitties, Bacon & Bao. She also enjoys playing Stardew Valley on Steam.
Katie Steele
Assistant Provost for Undergraduate Advising & Student Success
steelek@bu.edu
Academic advising is all about helping students to explore their interests and pursue their goals. As Director for Undergraduate Advising and Student Success, Katie Steele is responsible for collaborating with the advising leadership in the undergraduate schools and colleges to ensure excellent academic advising for all Boston University undergraduates. Katie takes a holistic and relational approach to advising, encouraging all students to pursue at least two enriching experiences during college.
Katie currently leads BU’s Student Success office and manages a team of 9 fantastic professionals. She also co-chairs the BU Advising Network, a standing committee of the Provost’s Office that connects faculty and staff advisors across campus. Through the annual Advising Symposium, the Advisor Education and Development event series, and Academic Advising Awards, Katie works to provide professional development and support for BU’s advisors.
Prior to joining the Provost’s Office, Katie was the Director for Student Affairs and Services at the Pardee School of Global Studies. Before coming to BU, Katie was the Senior Director for Student Engagement and Leadership at Harvard University. She has also held roles at Sewanee: The University of the South and Middlebury College. Katie has a bachelor’s degree from Colgate University and a master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Tyler Rock
(he/him)
Tyler Rock works primarily with first-year students in the College of Arts & Sciences, Sargent College, and the College of General Studies (CGS).
Tyler earned his B.A. in Psychology from Binghamton University and his M.S.Ed. in Higher Education Leadership and Policy Studies from Hofstra University. Prior to his current role at BU, Tyler was a PreMed and PreHealth Advisor at Northeastern University. Throughout his career, Tyler has held a variety of roles within higher education in areas such as orientation/new student programming, residential life, and academic advising. He has been fortunate to have served in these different areas, providing him with a versatile background of experiences to help empower students in achieving their goals.
In his free time, Tyler enjoys listening to music, reading, and spending time with friends and family. He currently resides with his partner Brendon and their cat, Tiger.
BJ White
(he/him)
BJ White supports the academic and personal success of students during their first year at BU.
Prior to coming to BU, BJ led the Registrar’s Office at Lake Forest College. He has also held roles in admissions, academic advising, and student records at Drake University, Concordia University Chicago, and Elmhurst College.
As an undergraduate, BJ studied Public Relations at Drake University’s School of Journalism & Mass Communication. He put those PR skills to immediate use during his undergrad by volunteering with the Admissions Office and working as a Resident Assistant. His first campus job was spinning the reels at the movie theater, and he allegedly remains the only student in school history to foul out of an intramural basketball game. BJ completed extensive graduate course work in programs of Higher Education Administration & Policy at Northwestern University (not Northeastern!) and Counseling & Human Services at Roosevelt University.
In his free time, BJ is an avid hiker, maintains allegiances with Chicago’s professional sports teams, and unsuccessfully curbs his intake of HGTV shows. He resides in Waltham, MA with his partner Maria.
Amanda Zinck
(she/her)
Amanda Zinck works primarily with first-year students in the College of Engineering, the Faculty of Computing and Data Sciences, and the College of General Studies (CGS).
As an undergraduate at the University of New Hampshire, Amanda studied Communication and worked in the Office of First Year Programs. This experience had a profound impact on her and inspired her professional path. She aims to use her role as an Assistant Director of First-Year Success to help students have that same profound experience while also helping them navigate the challenges that come with being a first-year student. Amanda comes to BU from Lasell University where she worked as Assistant Director of Graduate Student Services & Advising. She earned her Masters of Education in Administration of Higher Education from Suffolk University in 2020. Prior to working in higher education, Amanda had several jobs working in digital marketing and communications.
In her free time, Amanda enjoys spending time with family and friends, reading, and watching reality TV.