Meet the Undergraduate Programs Team
Meet the Undergraduate Programs Team! Our team works with students to support their Tepper School and CMU experience, from orientation to graduation. Students are always welcome to stop by our offices and say hello, in person!
Burton Hollifield, Associate Dean, Undergraduate Programs; PNC Professor of Finance; Professor of Financial Economics
Burton is responsible for the overall success of the undergraduate academic programs, with particular attention to the curriculum and faculty engagement. Burton is a CMU alumnus (Ph.D.) and also studied at Queen’s University at Kingston and the University of Calgary. He currently teaches Investment Analysis as a business elective course and teaches in the graduate program. Burton can often be seen walking around campus when he isn’t traveling and is a big Pittsburgh Penguins fan.
Jennifer Wegner, Assistant Dean, Undergraduate Programs
Jennifer started in the Tepper School in September 2017, moving to Pittsburgh from Ann Arbor, Michigan. As the Assistant Dean in Undergraduate Programs, she oversees academic advising, course management, and co-curricular experiences, working with faculty, campus partners and students to create a meaningful educational environment. Jennifer has a bachelor's degree in communications, master of education in higher education student affairs administration from the University of Vermont, and a doctoral degree in higher education administration at New England College — she clearly likes being a student! Jennifer enjoys reading both fiction and nonfiction (recommendations are always welcome), cheering for her favorite football and hockey teams, and traveling in the U.S. and abroad.
Kathleen Conway, Director of High Impact and Experiential Learning
Kathleen joined Carnegie Mellon in 2013 as an academic advisor and now enjoys creating and supporting high impact student experiences. Kathleen holds a bachelor of business administration with concentrations in economics and psychology and a master of arts in economics from Youngstown State University, an education specialist post-master degree in higher education administration from Kent State University, and a doctorate of education in higher education administration from the University of Pittsburgh. Kathleen loves spending time with her partner and son exploring Pittsburgh’s many neighborhoods, hiking, and listening to podcasts.
Tara Trapani, Director of Administrative Operations
Tara returned to CMU in 2015 and serves as the Director of Administrative Operations where she leads administrative functions for Tepper Undergraduate Programs. She values building standard operating procedures through a student success lens while using data to inform and support policy and process. Tara holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, a masters in public policy from Carnegie Mellon, and professional coaching certification. Outside of CMU she can be spotted with family and friends enjoying a good meal, movie, or show. Tara is also a lover of golf, art, and music (her sons’ activities!) and serves on the board of trustees for a local community orchestra.
Ivy Jackson, Academic Advisor
Ivy joined the Undergraduate Business Administration team in September of 2022 after serving as the Advisor for Carlow University's TRIO SSS program where she supported first-generation college students. As a first-generation graduate, Ivy is proud to have earned a bachelor’s degree in elementary education from California University of Pennsylvania (Penn West) and a master’s in college counseling and student affairs from Slippery Rock University. Ivy is a big foodie who enjoys trying good eats around Pittsburgh. She also enjoys traveling, spending time with her loved ones, watching home renovation or cooking shows, and doing DIYs around her home.
Jaquala Lowery, Academic Advisor
Jaquala joined the Undergraduate Business Administration team in October 2023, after serving as a College and Career Counselor and Program Advisor for high school students in the Pittsburgh area for four years. She also gained experience in many other social service roles, throughout her professional journey. Jaquala holds a bachelor’s and master’s degree in social work from the University of Pittsburgh and is a Licensed Social Worker in the state of Pennsylvania. She also holds a Professional Certificate in College Admissions Counseling from the University of California Riverside Extension. Jaquala enjoys traveling and spending time with family.
Erin Mosher O'Brien, Senior Academic Advisor and Program Manager
In 2016, Erin joined CMU's Dietrich College, advising students in the humanities and social sciences until 2019 when she moved to the Tepper Undergraduate Programs team. Prior to life at CMU she studied business at the undergraduate and graduate levels at Virginia Tech and the University of Massachusetts Amherst and spent four years supporting student clubs and leadership development at Mount Holyoke College in Massachusetts. As someone who has dedicated her entire career to supporting college students, Erin loves being a part of the Tepper community, which allows her to combine both her academic and professional background towards advising and guiding business students and club leaders alike. Beyond work, she plays in a local Pittsburgh volleyball league, is a proud mom of two very cute cats, is an avid baker, a wanna be watercolor artist, and a globe-trotter with a mission to savor diverse cuisines around the world.
Stephen Pajewski, Senior Academic Advisor and Program Manager
Steve has been in the Tepper School since 2010. He has made a career out of supporting college students through academic advising, and has worked in several different departments at Carnegie Mellon since 1993. His background is varied, having earned a BS in Management Engineering, a BA and BS in Art History, and a doctoral degree in higher education administration from the University of Pittsburgh. He enjoys reading, travel, geography, and talking with students about places they’ve visited. He usually has a camera with him and has a passion for photographing urban landscapes. He and his wife have two daughters, one living on the east coast and the other on the west coast – so taking long trips is an integral part of their family life.
Tiffany Primrose, Administrative Coordinator
Tiffany is a native of Pittsburgh and joined The Tepper Undergraduate Team in April of 2022 as the Administrative Coordinator. With a background in higher education of nearly 20 years, she enjoys the robust team environment and learning all aspects of the Tepper Undergraduate programs. She welcomes each challenge and continuously learns something new in the process. One of her favorite aspects of working in education is getting to know students and watching them learn and grow throughout the program. Tiffany loves to meet new people. She encourages all students to stop by and say hello!