Contact Us

Sara Conwell, MA

Assistant Director, Advising and Programming

UC 122C
859-572-5890
conwells1@nku.edu

Personal:

Sara enjoys spending time with her husband, Jonathan, and their daughters, Penelope and Stella.  She also enjoys boating and cheering on the Green Bay Packers each football season!

Academic: 

Sara joined NKU in 2012 in the Student Account Services Office and transitioned to academic advising in 2014.  Within ALPS, she advises and serves as an additional resource for NKU adult students, as well as being the contact for Project Graduate. In addition to ALPS, she serves on NKU’s Staff Congress and the Policy sub-committee. Sara holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Paralegal Studies and a Master of Arts degree in Adult and Higher Education, both from Morehead State University.  Prior to NKU, Sara got her start in higher education working at Ashland Community and Technical College in the Office of Financial Aid.

Tinley Daniel

Transfer Advisor

danielt6@nku.edu

Bio

Personal:

Tinley is a newer NKY resident and loves the Cincinnati area because it reminds her of home, Detroit!  She enjoys birdwatching, travel, plants, and road trips with her husband while taking in the local cultural and food scenes and absolutely adores her two cats, Lovey & Pepper.

Academic:

Tinley earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Fine Arts and a Master’s degree in Community Counseling, both from Wayne State University, in Detroit, MI.  She has worked at NKU since May 2022 and began her career here in the College of Health and Human Services as an Academic Advisor for Nursing and Allied Health.  She joined the ATC in June 2023 and enjoys the
challenge of working with Adult and Transfer Students and helping them navigate higher education, introduce them to the many resources that NKU offers, and being a support as they embark on their journey toward their Bachelor’s degree.  She believes that we are a bridge to providing that additional support for our students.

Cayley Ginn

Transfer Advisor

ginnc4@nku.edu

Bio

Personal:

I love spending time with my family, crafting, and being creative in the kitchen. I also enjoy reading books, watching movies, and planning adventures with my husband, Dan. My favorite hobbies are laughing and enjoying my life. I have only lived in NKY
since 2015, so I am always appreciative of great restaurant recommendations for this area - bonus points to you if you provide me with one during an appointment with me! 

Academic:

I am a proud NKU graduate! I received my Bachelor's degree in Elementary Education from NKU in 2019, and taught from 2020 - 2022. After leaving K-12 education I pivoted my career to higher education and returned to Norse Nation. I am currently
pursuing my Master's degree in Public Administration with the hopes of becoming a "double alum" of NKU.

I can't wait to meet you and welcome you to NKU!

Karlyn Yocum

Transfer Advisor

yocumk1@nku.edu

Bio

Personal:

I really enjoy spending time with my husband, family, and our dog Dunder. I have lived in the NKY area all my life but have been in the Cincinnati area for the last three years. In my spare time, I coach high school basketball, spend time in the kitchen, and take on new adventures!

Academic:

I received my Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Thomas More University in 2019 and worked as Special Education Teacher during the pandemic. While working in the school system, I thought that I had wanted to pursue School Psychology but quickly realized that it was not for me. In 2022, I accepted a position that required me to do a lot of social service by providing case management to single parent families obtaining a college education. With the first few months of being in this role, I fell in love with social work. Currently, I am an NKU MSW student! I cannot wait to talk all things NKU with you!

Kim McCoy, MA

Assistant Director, Transfer Services and Processing

UC 122E
859-572-5869
mccoyk8@nku.edu

Personal:

I am a Greater Cincinnati area native and I enjoy spending my time with my husband and daughter exploring the city, traveling to our happy place - Hilton Head Island, attending shows at the Aronoff, or simply hanging out at home with our neighbor friends. I am an active parent at my daughter's school as a member of SBDM and the PTO. We have one cat named Lucy, and one dog named Maisie. 

Academic:

I earned a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary Education in 2007 as well as a Master of Arts in Adult and Higher Education in 2009, both from Morehead State University. I joined Norse Nation in August of 2015 as an academic advisor serving adult students. Within the ATC, I oversee the transfer services processes and credit-for-prior learning. I manage the ATC social media accounts and website. Prior to NKU, I was a program coordinator at the University of Cincinnati, in the College of Engineering and Applied Science. 

Jerrod Gruber

Coordinator, Transfer Processing

859-572-5257
gruberj2@nku.edu

Personal: 

Originally from the Dayton, Ohio, I currently live in Cincinnati, where I am an actor having performed onstage with several theatre companies throughout the Great Cincinnati are and beyond. My love of theatre extends beyond just performance, as I also teach acting and improv classes in the area, and have amassed a collection of playscripts reaching the triple digits. Additionally, I am an avid board-gamer, with my favorite games being a series called “Unmatched.” 

Academic: 

I received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Musical Theatre Performance from NKU in May of 2020. I returned to Northern in November 2021, but instead of being a student, this time I was Processing Specialist within the Office of the Registrar. I would stay there before transferring to the ATC in early 2023 in the same role. As a processing specialist, it is my job to help to make the transition to NKU as smooth as possible for our amazing transfer students. 

Trey Finkenstead

Processing Specialist

859-572-5258
finkenstet1@nku.edu

BIO

Personal:

I have lived in Northern Kentucky my whole life and have grown a great appreciation for Cincinnati over the years. When I'm not
busy performing on stage at various theatres in the tri-state area, I like to explore new parks I haven't been to, going downtown with friends, or spoiling my beagle, Addie.  

Academic:

I received a Bachelor of the Arts in Theatre with a focus in Shakespeare Studies from NKU in May of 2023. I returned to Northern late 2024 as a Processing Specialist within the ATC. I look forward to helping our transfer students any way I can. 

Karis Hawkins, MSW

Coordinator

859-572-5988
hawkinsk9@nku.edu

Personal:

I am a 3rd generation Appalachian, and a Northern Kentucky native. I currently reside in the area with my two children and extended family. I attempt to live life with a grateful heart and a thirst for knowledge. I enjoy many things including travel, live concerts, photography, musical theater, reading, sewing and art. Currently, I am learning
Italian and piano!

Academic:

I am a NKU alum, earning my master's in social work in 2021. I have worked in the Social Services field for over 20 years and have experience with various populations, including single parent families. My goal at NKU is to work with students who are parenting to create an atmosphere of learning and success for both generations.

Jeannie Ritter

Clerical Assistant

859-572-7962
ritterj7@nku.edu

Personal:

I am a native of the Northern Kentucky area, I love spending time with my husband and our three amazing daughters. I enjoy traveling, crafting, trying new restaurants and watching my daughters play soccer. 

Academic: 

I am a Northern Kentucky University alumni having earned a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies.  I joined the Child Care Access Means Parents in School (CCAMPIS) grant at NKU in 2014.  The CCAMPIS grant takes away the stress of child care access and allows student parents to focus on their education.  I have loved seeing the difference this grant makes for our student parents and watching them succeed!

Amy Danzo, M.Ed.

Director

UC 101
859-572-5751
danzoa1@nku.edu

Personal:

I enjoy writing, creating pieces of art, and cleaning/organizing. All of those are key ingredients to my life. I don’t consider parenting a hobby, or else I would list it as first. My one profound love in life is the ability to parent my four amazing children with my husband.

Academic: 

My undergraduate degree is in psychology and my graduate degree is in School/Community Counseling. However, my real passion is witnessing the magic that happens in higher education. I enjoy being a part of the process of seeing students smash obstacles as they reach their academic and career goals. In addition, I absolutely love getting to work with a diverse group of colleagues on access and equity initiatives that are intended to better the lives of all people in the Northern Kentucky region and beyond.