Academic advisors provide guidance through the admission process, degree and course selection, and registration. Advisors also assist with changing a major, following up on instructors’ Academic Alerts, filing graduation petitions, and planning for further education or employment. Advisors help resolve registration errors, too. Degree-seeking students must meet with an advisor before registering for each semester to check that their chosen classes will continue to make progress toward their degrees and to have their advising hold lifted. 


Photo of Academic Advisor Coco RaeCoco Rae

Student Success Manager

Coco Rae has a Bachelor's in English from Carleton College and a Master's in Liberal Arts from St. John's College, as well as a Global Career Development Facilitator certification. Prior to joining UNM-LA Student Services, for over 15 years she taught history and literature in grades 7-12 as well as adult education. She is a fourth-generation educator and is happiest working with students, and especially enjoys seeing where they go in life after college. She loves to travel and to hike (often combining both), and has visited nearly 50 countries. Her first job out of college was running cattle in Montana. 


Photo of Grace WillertonGrace Willerton 

Student Success Specialist, Sr.

Grace Willerton has a Bachelor's in University Scholars-Psychology from Baylor University and graduate coursework in counseling from UNM. She has a Global Career Development Facilitator certification and has served as a career and academic advisor since 2012. The start of her career was teaching high school math and special education in New Orleans and Denver before returning home to Los Alamos. Grace is inspired by her students’ stories and is most excited to help them find the path to reach their dream jobs. She loves to sing for the LA Big Band and her church, dance to any music, and get outside with her family. Fun fact: Grace is an identical twin, and her sister lives in Los Alamos, too. If you see one of them, say hi either way—they'll both say hi back!


Photo of Jef BatemanJef Bateman

Student Success Specialist, Sr.

Jef Bateman has a Bachelor’s in English and Religion from McMurry College and a Master’s in Religious Studies from Arizona State University, and holds a certification in ELL (English Language Learners). Before joining UNM-LA, he taught high school and middle school history and humanities for 16 years.

  • Concentrations: provides academic advising to Early Childhood Education students and all others except for Early Access College of Pharmacy and Pre-Engineering students, career exploration services, and job search support
  • Phone: 505-663-3406
  • Email: jbateman1@unm.edu

Office Contact Information 

Student Services Office
(505) 662-5919
Building 1 

4000 University Dr.
Los Alamos, NM 87544 

Open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Remote on Fridays 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Closed on the following holidays: 

  • Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January) 
  • Memorial Day (May) 
  • Juneteenth (June 19)
  • Independence Day (July) 
  • Labor Day (September) 
  • Thanksgiving (2 days, November) 
  • Winter Break (approx. 10 days, December/January)