Tayana Tornes
Senior Academic Advisor

Hello! My name is Tayana, and I am a proud First-Generation college student from Chicago. I came to UW-Whitewater for my undergraduate studies, where I majored in Special Education. During my time here, I held various student positions across campus, which eventually led to a Graduate Assistantship in the Testing Office while I completed my Master’s degree in the Higher Education Leadership program.

I currently serve as a Senior Academic Advisor in the Academic Advising and Exploration Center (AAEC). In addition to advising, I teach New Student Seminar, serve as the Chapter Advisor for Zeta Sigma Chi Multicultural Sorority, Inc., act as the National Testing Coordinator, and am the coordinator for the Early College Credit Program (ECCP). I also previously coordinated the learning community titled Warhawks of Excellence.

Outside of work, I love spending time with my family and friends and enjoy traveling whenever I get the chance.

To our new Warhawks: Don’t be afraid to reach out for help. College can feel overwhelming at times, but you’re never alone. There are people here who want to see you succeed—you just have to speak up. One of my favorite sayings is: “Closed mouths don’t get fed.” So advocate for yourself, ask questions, and take advantage of the resources around you. Get involved, meet new people, and don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone—that’s where the real growth happens.Welcome to Whitewater—you’ve got this!