Advising Center Staff

Professional Staff

Faith ErhardtHi, I’m Faith Erhardt, director of undergraduate academic advising and support services. I graduated from UM with degrees in English and Secondary Education and spent several years teaching high school English. After some time, I went back to school and earned my M.Ed. in Counselor Education. After that, I worked as a counselor for 13 years with UMaine’s Upward Bound program. I fell in love with the smart, motivated UB high school students who would be the first in their families to graduate from college. Now at The Advising Center, I am lucky to support students in the College of Education and Human Development as they navigate the academic and experiential opportunities that are offered to create a happy, educated school professional. I live with my husband the nurse and two little boys in a house that always could be a bit more organized. We love living in Orono and being just steps away from hiking trails, Collins Center for the Arts and, of course, Pat’s Pizza.

Dominick VarneyDominick Varney is an award winning academic advisor recognized at the national level and at UMaine Orono. He is the assistant director of undergraduate academic advising and support Services for the College of Education and Human Development and received all of his degrees from UMaine: B.A. in Communication, M.Ed. in Higher Education, and a C.A.S. in Counselor Education, so he is a black bear through and through! He spent 12 years working with undecided students at UMaine in Explorations and Foundations; and created the University of Maine Academic Recovery Program for the entire campus. Dominick is also an adjunct faculty member for the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences in Theatre; and also teaches at the Hutchinson Center in Belfast.

Graduate Assistant Advisors

Benn DelisleHello, hi! My name is Benn Delisle and I am so excited to return as a graduate student at UMaine, and to work a second year as a grad assistant in the Advising Center. I graduated from SUNY Oswego in upstate NY with a BA in creative writing. Now, I am working towards my M.Ed. Student Development in Higher Education with hopes of working at an amazing institution like this one in the near future. In my free time I love to get outdoors to go on hikes and snowshoe. I also often obsess over my favorite tv show, Rupaul’s Drag Race. You would be hard pressed to find a time when I don’t have either a coffee or seltzer in hand! Come to my office, I’d love to chat!

Miriam CohenHey y’all, my name is Miriam Cohen and I am going into my second year in the Student Development in Higher Education Master’s program here at UMaine. I am originally from Ellington, Connecticut and grew up on a farm! I feel right at home here in Maine and am so excited to be working in the Advising Center this year. I was previously a GA for Navigate, which is an online student success platform that the AC uses. I’m looking forward to using my existing skills in a different capacity, and being able to work directly with students. In my free time, I enjoy playing with my cat Flowers, going on long walks around campus, going out to Family Dog with friends, and deep diving random topics on Wikipedia.

Katelyn WalshHey there!! My name is Katelyn Walsh and I’m a first year grad student here at UMaine. I’m so excited to be a part of the Advising Center team!! I recently graduated from UMaine with my B.A. in Communication Sciences and Disorders, and am continuing my study of CSD in the master’s program here, with hopes of becoming a speech-language pathologist. When I’m not in class or working, I love to hike, sing, and bake! I can also be found cozying up with a cup of coffee and a good book. I look forward to getting to know you and helping you navigate this season of your life!