Meet the Staff

The team in the Career and Advising Center are dedicated in supporting students to navigate higher learning to achieve their educational and/or career goals.

Amy Davidson – Educational Planner, Career/Technology programs

Employed at Green River since: 2012
Education: B.A. in Social Sciences, minor in Psychology and Accessibility Studies from Central Washington University
Specialty: Career and Technical advising
Notable Fact: Amy enjoys travel, cooking and quoting lines from movies like Young Frankenstein and The Princess Bride. Her long term career plan includes living in a house on a beach and getting paid to spend her time writing stories with happy endings.

Aileen Arsenio – Educational Planner, Transfer

Employed at Green River since: 2015
Education: B.A. in Comparative Ethnic Studies at WSU, pursuing an M.Ed in Student Development Administration at Seattle University
Specialty: Transfer Advising
Notable Fact: Collects pens and sneakers, is a huge Disney fan, and is a foodie who is always open to trying new things!

Srey Chea – Educational Planner, Transfer

Employed at Green River since: 2008 - 2011; Outreach Coordinator, September 2014 - present; Educational Planner
Education: B.A. Urban Studies from the University of Washington
Specialty: Transfer Advising
Notable Fact: I enjoy riding my 150cc scooter when weather permits.

Don Thomas II – Educational Planner, Health Occupations

Employed at Green River since: 2018
Education: B.S in Communications and History, MS in Counseling and Student Personnel (CACREP) with emphasis in College Student Affairs
Specialty: Educational Planner – Health Occupations
Notable Fact: My advising philosophy is centered on the 3P’s- Patience, Persistence, and Positive. Those 3P’s have impacted over 3,000+ students in bridging the gap between academic advising and career counseling within the four-year institutions and community colleges.

Amrit Gill – Employment Specialist

Employed at Green River since: 2018
Education: B.A. in Geography from the University of Washington
Specialty: Career Services
Notable Fact: Amrit enjoys backpacking around the world every chance she gets, listening to new music every day, and reading on a daily basis.

Yesenia Escoto, Program Specialist

Employed at Green River since: April 2017
Education: B.A. in Sociology, double minor in Spanish and Criminal Justice
Specialty: Front office logistics, campus resource referral, Spanish language and interpretation, admin. support, and making connections
Notable Fact: First generation to graduate from a University. Excited to help students navigate through higher education and reach their goals. I have a love for the outdoors and I enjoy hikes with my best friend Jerry, he is the best Lab-a-dork! I also enjoy traveling and embracing new cultures and traditions.

Phil Smith – Educational Planner, Transitions, High School, & Career/Technical

Employed at Green River since: 2008
Education: B.A., M.A. in English, M.A. in Education
Specialty: Transitions advising
Notable Fact: Phil is interested in backgammon, opera and jazz, traditional Northwest Indian weaving, Chinese health and movement arts, such as Chi Kung and Tai Chi, among other things.

Lady Ivory Boyd – Educational Planner, Transfer

Employed at Green River since: 2015
Education: B.A. in Psychology, M.Ed in Educational Leadership and Administration
Specialty: First Quarter Advising and Transfer
Notable Fact: I'm passionate about helping others grow personally and professionally. I'm a foodie who enjoys going on walks and hikes, photography, cooking, travel, and I love my Golden fur child!

Josh Staffieri - Career Specialist

Employed at Green River since: 2007
Education: B.A. in Psychology from the University of San Diego, M.S. in Education and College Student Personnel from Miami University, Ohio
Specialty: Career Planning; New students advising; Occupational and Physical Therapy advising; Generalist
Notable Fact: Josh has been helping students with their educational and career development since 2002 in both public, private, four-year and two-year higher education institutions. He utilizes a number of career self-assessments, and is Green River's resident expert for Gallup's breakthrough assessment, StrengthsQuest, a tool that helps identify individuals' top five talents. Josh is a Southern California native who is still looking for a Washington State beach completely void of rocks.

Allison Warner - Director of Career and Advising

Employed at Green River since: 2004
Education: B.A. Psychology from the University of Washington, Seattle, M.Ed. in Student Development Administration at Seattle University
Specialty: Advising, Completion
Notable Fact: Prior to working in education, Allison worked in public relations and originally studied to be a primatologist.

Kirsten Weber - General Advising

Employed at Green River since: 2010 - 2013, Oct 2015 - Present
Education: B.A. in Psychology from Western Washington University, M.Ed. in Student Development Administration, Seattle University
Specialty: Generalist, Transfer advising
Notable Fact: Kirsten originally wanted to be a Marine Biologist but after an internship working with whales, seals and a walrus, she realized she liked people better than animals. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and if she happens to get a rare moment alone you'll probably find her baking some sort of sweet treat or trying to catch up on sleep.

Connie Poleski – General Advising

Employed at Green River since: 2006
Education: B.A. in American Ethnic Studies
Specialty: Generalist Advising
Notable Fact: I enjoy working with students and helping them work towards their goals and dreams.