Meet the Advisors

Josh is the Senior Coordinator of Virtual Campus and Advising. He started working at CEI in 2018 and has loved every minute of it. Josh grew up in Rexburg, Idaho and attended Idaho State University. There he earned a Bachelors in Political Science, Masters of Counseling in Student Affairs, and is currently working toward a Doctorate in Educational Leadership in Higher Education. Josh has a very strong passion for helping all students meet their educational and career goals. He finds joy in watching students fulfill their educational dreams and loves being part of their journey. Outside of work, Josh loves sports and historical documentaries, more specifically United States history. He also enjoys spending time with his family and doing anything outdoors.

Barry earned a bachelor’s degree in Spanish from BYU, a master’s in education from Eastern New Mexico University and a doctorate in bilingual education from Texas A&M University-Kingsville. Multilingual, he advises students in Spanish or English. His experience includes advising and coordinating a GED/ESL program for community college students and teaching college reading and education courses. Barry enjoys helping students, and his extensive background in higher education allows him to understand the challenges of today’s traditional and non-traditional college students. He delights in helping students see possibilities not previously considered. Outside of work, Barry enjoys riding scooters, target shooting, coaching baseball, and camping with his wife and six children.

Andie graduated from ISU with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology. She was a single mom with a baby when she started college. Because of the confidence boost from her academic advisor, she found passion in education. At ISU – Idaho Falls, she excelled as a student intern in academic advising, helping numerous students thrive and excited to continue to do so. Andie finds delight giving back by assisting others to gain confidence with their education. At home, Andie builds Lego sets with her son and husband and experiments turning desserts into cookies. She loves comical sweaters, mail, and triangles.

Mariela, born and raised a military brat, has lived in Maryland, Georgia, Florida, Arizona, Puerto Rico, Idaho, and Colorado. Her experiences moving inspired her interest in not only advising students, but knowing them for who they are and where they want to be. In Spring 2022, she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Psychology with a minor in Applied Behavior Analysis from ISU. She is fluent in both English and Spanish. Mariela finds great passion in being able to help students pursue their educational goals, whether that means answering questions or bouncing off ideas. In her free time, Mariela likes sitting outside, listening to music, singing, watching TV or anime, and talking with family and friends.

Maria Bates began working at the college in 2013. She has worked with the CNA coordinator helping students sign up for CNA, helped with medications classes, and in the Student Affairs office, too. Maria is now the administrative aide to the Advising Department and does the Clery reporting. She is working toward an Associate’s Degree and moving on to ISU for a Bachelor’s Degree in Humanities. Maria loves assisting CEI students. When she is not at work she loves to read, bake, garden and travel. She is the mother of 5, grandmother of 9 and great-grandmother of 7.