Advising
Meet Your Edmonds Community College Advisors
Academic advisors at Edmonds Community College assist students with fulfilling their educational goals. Once you’ve selected a program of study, you should make an appointment to meet with your faculty advisor.
Meet Your Academic Advisors
Advisor: Stephanie Baron, Interim Associate Dean for Student Success and Retention
Education: Master of Education, Student Development Administration, Seattle University
Before Edmonds CC? I worked as a transfer advisor at South Seattle Community College.
Why Edmonds CC? Edmonds is a welcoming community with a very diverse population. I enjoy hearing each student’s story about their life and educational goal.
Best advice for students: If you intend to transfer to a university, plan early for your major. Meet with an advisor to choose the classes to take within your associate’s degree. Make sure to balance life and school and don’t overload yourself!
425.640.1049 | stephanie.baron@edcc.edu
Advisor: Gail Dunavan
Advising specialty: College transfer degrees, and Professional Technical Programs in: Business, Business Management, Chemistry Lab Technician, Construction Industry Training, Construction Management, Materials Science, Occupational Safety and Health, and Paralegal
Education: Bachelor of Arts, Sociology, Drew University, NJ; Master of Arts, Counseling, Fairfield University, CT
Before Edmonds CC? I ran a drug prevention program for teens in Whatcom County.
Why Edmonds CC? As an academic advisor, I get to listen to student’s stories every day and help them achieve their dreams! I love my job and the students I work with are very inspiring!
Best advice for students: Take something you’re interested in and really want to learn about in your first or second quarter. And don’t overload yourself to get done quicker – it often backfires and can hurt your grades and therefore your ability to pursue what you want.
Ask her about: where she’s lived – five states, 12 communities, and 15 moves
Or ask her about: being an Emergency Medical Technician in three states
425.640.1925 | gail.dunavan@edcc.edu
Advisor: Laura Enstone
Advising specialty: College transfer degrees
Education: Bachelor of Arts and graduate study, Human Service and Adult Education, Western Washington University
Before Edmonds CC? Real estate agent.
Why Edmonds CC? I enjoy being part of a college that puts students first.
Best advice for students Don’t over-schedule yourself. Plan for time to relax so you can study when you are well rested and enjoy your education. Education is a journey, not a destination.
Ask her about The next transfer fair
Or ask her about cats
425.640.1462 | lenstone@edcc.edu
Advisor: Heidi Farani
Advising specialties: College transfer degrees, Energy Management, Family Support Studies, Horticulture, & Social and Human Services
Education: Bachelors of Arts, Interdisciplinary Child Development & K-8 Education, Western Washington University; Master of Education, Student Personnel Administration in Higher Education, Western Washington University
Before Edmonds CC? Advising and Tutorial & Academic Skills Center at WWU
Why do you like advising? I love to see people learning how to meet their goals. I am inspired by the obstacles that people can overcome and I believe that anything is possible. There is often more than one path that will lead where we want to go and each person should feel empowered to make their own choice. It is important to me, as an advisor, that students know their options.
Best advice for students: Let your struggles be your motivation for being better, not an excuse for holding you back. The only thing that can hold you back, is you.
Ask her about: her film and stage acting experiences
Or ask her about: her favorite hobbies of soap and candle making!
425.640.1834 | heidi.farani@edcc.edu
Advisor: Kelly Ferguson
Advising specialty: College transfer degrees
Education: Bachelor of Arts, English, Western Washington University
Before Edmonds CC? I worked as an Orientation Student Advisor at Western Washington University.
Why Edmonds CC? The campus has so many wonderful services and resources for students. The staff and faculty really strive to provide students the support they need to be successful. The campus is full of knowledgeable and helpful people!
Best advice for students: Be sure to work closely with an advisor every quarter, take advantage of the campus resources available to you, and prepare early for your major.
Ask her about: my favorite musicians/bands
Or ask her about: why the Ferguson name is so historical in the town of Snohomish.
425.640.1319 | kferguso@edcc.edu
Advisor: Allison Paytosh
Advising specialties: Accounting, Allied Health Education, Business Information Technology, Business Management, Construction Management, Family Support Studies, International Business, Licensed Practical Nursing (LPN), Paralegal, and Social and Human Services.
Education: Bachelor of Arts, Psychology, Marietta College, OH; Master of Arts, Psychology, Marietta College, OH
Before Edmonds CC? Worked as a Student Retention Specialist with AmeriCorps in TRiO Student Support Services at EdCC.
Why do you like advising? I get to work with students! And, hopefully provide them with the most valuable information to help them achieve their educational goals.
Best advice for students: Don't be afraid to ask questions! Ask for help when needed. And, seek out the many great resources available to you on the college campus. These basic pieces of advice will help you succeed in your academics, feel confident about your college experience and help you plan for future life endeavors.
One more piece of advice: "The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be." ~Ralph Waldo Emerson
425.640.1027 | allison.paytosh@edcc.edu
Advisor: Susana Yiu
Advising specialty: Allied Health, Business Information Technology, Computers/Electronics and Networks, Computer Information Technology, Computer Science, Culinary Arts, Fire Officer, Hospitality and Tourism, and Visual Communications
Education: Bachelor of Science, Human Development, Binghamton University; Master of Arts in Social Science, Student Affairs & Diversity concentration, Binghamton University
Before Edmonds CC? I worked as a Program Specialist in the Assessment Center at Lake Washington Technical College.
Why Edmonds CC?I enjoy working with students and help them achieve their educational and career goals.
Best advice for students:Think about what classes you need to take and plan your schedule early. Know your exact registration date and time. There are probably many students want to get into the same class as you do. Be prepared and register for classes at your registration time. Be proactive and take advantage of all the free resources on campus.
Ask her about: her experience driving through a rainbow
Or ask her about: her trip to San Juan Islands
425.640.1479 |susana.yiu@edcc.edu
