Staff
Nick Woodward, M.Ed.
Director of Undergraduate Advising
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Email: [email protected]
Nick serves as the Director of the College of Computing Student Services Office. He earned his BAA in Interpersonal and Public Communication from Central Michigan University and his M.Ed from GVSU’s College Student Affairs Leadership program. He worked for two-plus years at Purdue University as a Student Success Coach for the Purdue Promise Scholarship program, before returning to the GVSU in 2016.
In his free time, you will often find Nick running, walking his dog, and supporting the Detroit sports teams. He completed his first marathon and ultramarathon in 2022 and is looking forward to adding more in the future. Let him know if you have any suggestions for fun races to consider!
Elizabeth Brand, M.Ed.
Senior Academic Advisor
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Email: [email protected]
Elizabeth is a proud Laker for a Lifetime! She has been advising computing students at GVSU in the previous Padnos College of Engineering and Computing since 2016 and is excited for all of the opportunities that the new College of Computing with bring for students! Elizabeth graduated from Hope College with a B.A. in Communications and earned her Master’s degree from Grand Valley in College Student Affairs Leadership. She is passionate about student success and wants to be a resource for students to help them be successful both inside and outside of the classroom. She loves helping students navigate the ins and outs of college and also loves learning from them!
When she isn't working, you'll find her making memories with her husband and children, and cuddling with her two cats, Jax and Opie. Elizabeth enjoys trying new restaurants so let her know if you have any good recommendations!
Colin DeKuiper, M.Ed.
Academic Advisor
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Email: [email protected]
Colin received his B.A. in Communication from DePaul University and worked extensively as a touring and recording musician before returning to DePaul University where he earned his Master’s degree in Counseling (College Counseling and Student Affairs). He has previously worked as an Assistant Director with Northwestern University’s Office of External Programs, Internships, & Career Services within Northwestern University’s School of Communication. He also served as a Career Advisor at Columbia College Chicago and has taught career and internship focused courses at DePaul University, Northwestern University, and Columbia College in Chicago. In 2024, Colin was awarded “Outstanding Academic Advisor” by GVSU.
In his spare time, Colin enjoys adding new additions to his record collection, playing golf, and playing in a few different music projects in West Michigan and Chicago.
Rebecca Kolodge, M.Ed.
Academic Advisor
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Email: [email protected]
Rebecca is excited to advise students in the new College of Computing! Rebecca has advised computing majors at GVSU since 2021 and previously as an Advising Graduate Assistant from 2017-2019. She earned both a B.S. in Allied Health Science and an M.Ed. in Higher Education from Grand Valley. Rebecca’s higher education experience also includes working at Kettering University and Purdue University, as well as internships at Grand Rapids Community College and Aquinas College.
Outside of work you can often find Rebecca walking her cat, Joey, or updating his Instagram page. She also enjoys living near Lake Michigan, attending concerts, and anything fall or Taylor Swift related.
Emily Zeliasko, M.Ed.
Academic Advisor
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Email: z[email protected]
Emily graduated from GVSU in 2020 with a B.S. in biology and earned her Master's degree in College Student Affairs Leadership from GVSU in 2023. She has been advising computing students since July 2023! Emily was previously a Graduate Assistant in the Frederik Meijer Honors College from 2021-2023. Emily is passionate about getting to know students and connecting them to resources to support their success during and beyond their careers at GVSU!
In her free time, Emily enjoys spending as much time on the water as possible with family and friends. This includes watching the sunset, paddle-boarding, and learning to ride stand-up jet skis! Emily also enjoys traveling and exploring new places within and outside Michigan and is always looking for recommendations!
Damian Martinez
Office Coordinator
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Email: [email protected]
Damian graduated from GVSU in 2020 with a B.A. in Political Science. He was previously a User Experience Specialist with GVSU Libraries and then joined the Computing Advising Center in November 2024. Damian is always looking forward to building relationships with students and supporting them throughout their academic careers.
Outside of work, you can find Damian playing volleyball, getting into a board/video game, spoiling his cat, Pepper, or traveling to new countries!
Student Employees
Chloe Dingens
Advising Graduate Assistant
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Pronunciation: KLOW-eee
Email: [email protected]
Chloe has an undergraduate degree in psychology and a minor in business from Grand Valley State University, she is thrilled to continue her academic journey at GVSU, pursuing a Master's in College Student Affairs Leadership.
Chloe is a nature enthusiast who finds happiness near any body of water, especially on a paddleboard. She cherishes travel and learning from new perspectives.
Lauren Cold
Advising Student Assistant
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Pronunciation: LAW-ruhn
Lauren's hometown is Grand Blanc, Michigan. Her major is exercise science, and hopes to be a physical therapist in the future. Lauren primarily supports day-to-day advising tasks such as managing calendars, preparing folders for prospective students, and greeting all guests and students. In addition, to assisting with advising she will be preparing items to go to K-12/Community outreach events.
Her fun fact is that she shares the same birthday as Ozzy Osbourne!
Poojitha (Pooja) Poduguru
Advising Student Assistant
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Pronunciation: Puu-jee-tha
Pooja's hometown is Honolulu, Hawaii. Her major is Information Systems, and hopes to go into IT/IS Project management in the future. Pooja primarily supports day-to-day advising tasks such as managing calendars, preparing folders for prospective students, and greeting all guests and students.
Her fun fact is that she speaks 7 languages!
Aine Reid
Advising Student Assistant
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Pronunciation: AH-nee
Aine is from Lake Orion, Michigan. She is a 3-6th grade emphasis in Social Studies education. She currently works for the School of Computing front office and FIRST Robotics Field. She spends her days assisting with Communications for the college. She helps students stay connected and informed about events happening at or associated with GVSU through the advising newsletter. She spends her day managing and communicating with students over the phone, via email, and through social media.
Aine's fun fact is that she loves pickles.