On Campus Coaches

Ryan Kasmier
Director, Student Academic Support
Ryan Kasmier received his B.S. in Political Science and Organizational Communication and did his M.A. work at the University of San Francisco in Organization and Leadership. Ryan has been working in various higher education environments for over 5 years. In that time he has worked in several different areas including housing, academic advising, and multicultural student services. Ryan has served a two-year appointment to a national committee that works to bring greater awareness and examination of Native American issues to higher education. In his spare time, Ryan can be found working in various Bay Area performance venues.

Naomi Elvove
Associate Director, Student Academic Support
Naomi grew up in New Jersey and moved to the Bay Area eight years ago. She has worked at the Academy for numerous years in varying roles. She taught ESL previous to coming to Student Academic Support. She is currently working at the ARC in many capacities. She has taught students from all over the world in nonprofit organizations, high schools, a library, a preschool and in a private school in Florence, Italy. She has a BA in English from the University of New Hampshire and an MA in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages from Teachers College, Columbia University. Naomi loves to travel and has spent a great deal of time wandering around Italy. She also enjoys biking and is working towards a black belt in tae kwon do. She is married to an Italian man that she met in her travels and they have a son.

Dan Wolf
ARC Administrator
Dan has been with the Academy of Art University since May 2003. He worked assignments in International and Undergraduate Admissions before becoming a full time employee as Classroom Services Administrator and now ARC Administrator. He has a B.S. degree from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. Dan enjoys interacting with and assisting students along with the vibrancy of a campus environment.

Tessa Steffens
ARC Receptionist
Tessa grew up in San Diego and moved to San Francisco to attend San Francisco State University. She received her B.A. in History, with an emphasis in African history. Tessa loves the atmosphere of the Academy and enjoys meeting students. She believes that a college education encompasses more than classroom instruction and she enjoys connecting students to resources in the academy and the San Francisco community. Outside the Academy, Tessa enjoys exploring San Francisco, catching live music shows, and poking around bookstores.

STUDENT ACADEMIC COACHES

Bill Bankhead
Academic Coach
Bill hails from Portland, Oregon and is a strong supporter of students’ academic and career success. He received his B.A. from the University of Oregon’s honors college, where he earned Phi Beta Kappa distinction. For over 10 years, Bill has been providing training and advising in the areas of leadership, personal and academic success, and career planning. Outside of work, he is an amateur masseur, sushi chef, and, recently, sketch artist. His other interests include volunteering and traveling internationally.

Lynda España
Academic Coach
Lynda was born in California and grew up on the East Coast on a small island in Maine. Having been lucky enough to have lived on both coasts, (and a few years in the Midwest), she is happy to call San Francisco her home for the last 4 years. Lynda received her B.A. in Marketing from Marietta College in Ohio. She has a diverse vocational background including coaching a college basketball team, a short stint as a paramedic, and several years as a sign language interpreter. She is excited to be part of the Academy and is inspired by her coworkers and Academy students. Lynda enjoys learning foreign languages, camping, sailing, and discovering new places to eat and shop in beautiful San Francisco!

Bob Goldie
Academic Coach
Bob is new to the Bay Area after making a recent move from Boulder, Colorado, where he worked as a teacher (for middle school!) and in medical office support. After growing up in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Bob moved to Colorado and eventually earned an M.A. in Education as well as a license to teach Secondary Level Social Studies. He believes every individual has unique talents and is capable of making a mark in society. Bob’s endeavor is to help students realize their potentials and to achieve their dreams without compromising their ideals and values. Outside of work, Bob spins records at some local bars, enjoys drawing, skateboarding, and an occasional baseball game.

Mike Sciarappa
Academic Coach
From the woods of New Hampshire, to the hills of San Francisco, Mike obtained a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from the University of San Francisco, where he studied human behavior and therapy models. Throughout college, he discovered that individuals overcome obstacles when they utilize their strengths as tools for success. After graduation, Mike academically coached and tutored Division I athletes at Boston College. After earning a Masters Degree in School Counseling, Mike has pursued a career at the Academy of Art University, where he encourages students to reach for their dreams and become prepared for the world of work and beyond. Mike enjoys a competitive game of badminton and viewing well-preserved Caravaggio paintings in Europe.

Matthew Sweeney
Academic Coach
Matthew grew up in Burlington Vermont, where he earned a Bachelors degree in Studio Art, German Language and Political Science, and went on to complete an M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction. Prior to working at the University, he taught middle school and high school art to at risk youth and students with emotional and behavioral disabilities in Vermont and San Francisco. His interests include the culinary arts, designing furniture, exploring San Francisco and international travel.