Katharine Pei

Director, First Year Center

Katharine serves as Director supporting the orientation, transition, and retention of new students and their families as they join the Washington University community. Katharine provides strategic vision for the department and coordinates Bear Beginnings: New Student Fall Orientation.  In addition, she serves as a four-year academic advisor for students in Arts & Sciences and as a Green Dot facilitator. Katharine is a Board member for NODA, the Association for Orientation, Transition, and Retention in Higher Education.  She previously served as the NODA Network Chair for Highly Selective Institutions. Originally from Southern Illinois, Katharine holds an M.Ed. from the University of South Carolina in Higher Education & Student Affairs and a B.S.B.A. from Saint Louis University.

Reggie Gacad

Coordinator, First Year Center

Reggie serves as the Coordinator for First Year Center to assist new students and their families with their transition to Washington University, with particular emphasis on SOAR: Summer Orientation Advising Registration, programming and support for transfer and exchange students, and second-year experience. Reggie works directly with the First Year Center Executive Board and Washington University Student Associates. He also coordinates Winter Welcome: New Student Spring Orientation. Originally from Cleveland, Ohio, Reggie holds a M.Ed. in College Student Affairs Administration from the University of Georgia and a B.A. in Psychology from Washington University in St. Louis.

Miranda Kroeger

Administrative Coordinator

Miranda provides administrative support for the First Year Center. You will often find her answering the questions of new students and their families via phone and email. Miranda also coordinates many of the logistics for First Year Center events. Originally from St. Louis , Missouri, Miranda holds an A.B. in Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Washington University in St. Louis.