Academic Advising: Academic Advisors and Staff

Debbie Martin PhD
Dean of Student Life
Debbie Martin works with a number of departments on campus, including Academic Advising, Campus Life, Korean Student Advising, and Residence Life. 

Nicole Osborne
Assistant Dean of Student Affairs for Academic Advising
Nicole Osborne has worked at the Illinois Institute of Technology and the University of Pennsylvania. She has degrees from Tulane University, the University of Pennsylvania, and is currently completing her Master of Arts in Creative Writing at Northwestern University.

Kate Hutter
Director of Student Support
Kate Hutter received her master’s degree in Counseling from DePaul University and has held multiple positions in hospital, school, and community mental health settings. Prior to joining SAIC, Hutter coordinated the Mental Health and Schools Collaboration program at Alexian Brothers Center for Mental Health.

Paul Jackson
Assistant Director
Paul Jackson has been in Academic Advising since 2009 after working for SAIC's Residence Life. He received his Master of Fine Arts in Writing from SAIC in 2008. Jackson writes primarily about baseball and exclusively in nonfiction; his work has appeared on espn.com.

Gabe Akagawa
Academic Advisor
Gabe Akagawa exhibits his work regularly and is also the founder of the Faketure Consortium of Artists. He is a former instructor in the Department of Sculpture. His website is gabriel-akagawa.wikispaces.com.

Natalie Bailey
Academic Advisor
Natalie Bailey taught art history and museum studies at Virginia Commonwealth University School of the Arts in Qatar before joining the advising team in fall 2010. She has also worked in museums and curated exhibitions internationally.

Cheryl-Ann Fakes
Academic Advisor
Cheri Fakes (MAAE 2011) works in painting, photography, and sculpture. She regularly exhibits her work, and has a special passion for Japanese art and culture. Before joining Student Affairs, she was a community arts educator and taught presentation skills courses internationally.

Erin Gasim
Academic Advisor
Erin Gasim recently joined the Academic Advising team at SAIC. She has worked in the field of counseling and art education. She earned her master's degree in Art Therapy from SAIC in 2006.

David Kaiser
Academic Advisor
David Kaiser is an artist and teacher. He exhibits his work nationally and has taught at SAIC and Maryland Institute College of Art. David has both his Bachelor of Fine Arts and Master of Fine Arts from SAIC. He grew up in Austin, Texas, and lives with his family in Irving Park.

Rebecca Schoenecker
Academic Advisor
Rebecca (MFA 2008) works in animation, fiber, painting, drawing, and printmaking. Before joining Student Affairs in 2009, she worked as a professional animator and an instructor at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design.

Faculty Advisors

Academic Advising supports student learning and helps you develop academically, personally, and artistically. Advisors work with you to help you navigate the interdisciplinary curriculum at SAIC.

Richard Deutsch
Academic Advisor
Richard Deutsch has shown his work throughout the United States. He is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Painting and Drawing.

Steve Heyman
Academic Advisor
Steve Heyman is the recipient of an NEA fellowship, among many other honors. He is an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Contemporary Practices program and in the Department of Painting and Drawing. His website is: stevenheyman.com.

Alysia Kaplan
Academic Advisor
Alysia Kaplan has exhibited at the Chicago Cultural Center, the International Print Center in New York City, and many other venues. She currently teaches in the Visual Communication department.

Eric Leonardson
Academic Advisor
Eric Leonardson is a composer, radio artist, sound designer, instrument inventor, and improviser. He is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Sound. His website is: ericleonardson.org.

Clemenstien Love
Academic Advisor
Clemenstien Love is the principal architect for CL Design Studio, a design/build studio that specializes in ownership and the renovation and preservation of vintage residential buildings. She currently teaches in AIADO.

Jeremy Lundquist
Academic Advisor
Jeremy Lundquist specializes in etching, lithography, papermaking, and other areas related to Printmedia. He is also a curator with a strong interest in contemporary art theory. Lundquist teaches in the Department of Printmedia.

Heidi Norton
Academic Advisor
Heidi Norton has done freelance work as a digital specialist for various magazines. She has exhibited her work in Chicago, New York, and Europe. She teaches in the Department of Photography. Here website is: heidi-norton.com.

Tim O'Donnell
Academic Advisor
In 2000 Tim O'Donnell received the Outstanding Faculty Member Award for Excellence in Teaching. He has taught for 30 years and has advised almost as long. He is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Department of Liberal Arts.

Patricia Rieger
Academic Advisor
Patricia Rieger is a ceramic sculptor and painter, showing her work frequently in the United States and Europe. She is an Adjunct Assistant Professor, teaching in the Department of Ceramics since 1999.

Anita Welbon
Academic Advisor
Born and bred in Chicago, but a citizen of the world, Anita Welbon has taught literature and essay writing in the Department of Liberal Arts and Master of Fine Arts in Writing program since 1993.