Meet Our Pre-Professional Advising Team

Each academic advisor listed below works with specific pre-professional student populations. Use this table to find the right advisor for your intended profession, and feel free to reach out with questions or to schedule an appointment.

Sherryl J. Allen

Health Professions Advisor

Ms. Allen works with students interested in the Pre-Dental, Pre-Nursing, Pre Chiropractic, Pre-Optometry, and Pre-Pharmacy designations.

Contact Information

Email address: sherryl@k-state.edu

Taylor Gnagi

Health Professions Advisor

Taylor works with students interested in the Pre-Medicine and Pre-Physician Assistant designations and advises the Pre-Medical Club.

Contact Information

Email address: tjgnagi@k-state.edu

About Taylor

Strengths: Empathy, Connectedness, Developer, Positivity, Responsibility
Undergrad major: B.S. in Family Studies and Human Services at KSU
Graduate education and credentials: M.S. in Marriage and Family Therapy at Auburn University
Career choice as a child: I wanted to be a mermaid. When I learned that was not a viable profession I explored many options, but was never really set on any one dream career as a kid.
Favorite self-care practice: Going for a walk- it helps to clear my mind and put things into perspective
Piece of advice for pre-professional students: "Comparing yourself and your experiences to others' will only lead to fear and burnout. Your pre-health journey is yours alone- be proud of what you have accomplished! Work with your pre-health advisor to make a plan that works for you, rather than trying to compete with other students."

Sheryl King-Richards

Pre-Law Advisor

Sheryl works with students interested in the Pre-Law designation.

Contact Information

Email address: kingrichards88@k-state.edu

Janae Mooty

Assistant Director/Health Professions Advisor

Janae works with students interested in the Pre-Medicine and Pre-Physician Assistant designations.

Contact Information:

Email address: jmooty@k-state.edu

About Janae

Strengths: Learner, Arranger, Strategic, Ideation, Responsibility
Undergrad major: Biology
Graduate education and credentials:

Masters of Science: Biotechnology and Academic Advising
PhD: In progress – Student Affairs in Higher Education
Prior Licensed 7-12 Grade Science Teacher in Louisiana and Kansas
Prior Scientific Research Experience at MD Anderson Cancer Center

Pre-Professional experience: You name the pre-health path, I tried it! I originally wanted to be a veterinarian, but was told my grades would not make me competitive. I tried pre-med, pre-pa, and pre-nursing and did not enjoy those paths. I was pre-pharmacy for most of my undergrad, but once I started shadowing a pharmacist, I realized I enjoyed how pharmaceuticals were made and decided to pursue scientific research!
Career choice as a child: Large Animal Veterinarian
Favorite self-care practice: Listening to music while taking a walk
Favorite spot on campus: The area outside of Bluemont Hall
Piece of advice for pre-professional students: "Be open to new and different opportunities as you explore interests. You just might discover something about yourself you never thought possible!"

Sherry Pogranichniy

Health Professions Advisor

Sherry works with students interested in the Pre-Nursing and Pre-Veterinary Medicine designations.

Contact Information

Email address: sherrypo@k-state.edu

Bryanna Williams

Health Professions Advisor

Bryanna works with students interested in the Pre-Physical Therapy and Pre-Occupational Therapy designations and advises the Pre-Occupational Therapy and Pre-Physical Therapy clubs on campus.

Contact Information

Email address: bryannaw@k-state.edu

About Bryanna

Stengths: Includer, Woo, Adaptability, Input, Restorative

Undergrad major: Business Administration (B.S.)

Graduate education and credentials:

M.S. in Counseling and Student Development from K-State
Certificates in Professional Strategic Selling and Academic Advising from K-State

Career choice as a child: As a child, I was very much a dreamer constantly daydreaming about what my future might look like and imagining all the different possibilities. My career interests changed often depending on what captured my imagination at the time. For a while, I wanted to be a meteorologist because I was terrified of tornadoes and wanted to better understand what caused weather to change on a whim and how storms formed. Later, I became fascinated with interior design. I loved the idea of transforming a house into a home and was drawn to how people create spaces that reflect warmth and personality.

Favorite self-care practice: Being present and taking time to reflect, especially when I’m out in nature. I love soaking in the sun or spending time on the water. It helps me feel grounded and recharged. I’ve also learned that sometimes self-care means simply doing nothing or binge-watching my favorite show. Self-care doesn't always look the same and truly depends on where you’re at and what your mind and body need in the moment.

Piece of advice for pre-professional students: "My biggest piece of advice for pre-professional students is to remember that your application is your story. Use it to show how your lived experiences have shaped your values, perspective, and motivation for a career in health. Don’t fall into the trap of comparing your journey to others. Everyone’s path looks different, and that’s exactly what makes your story worth sharing. Admissions committees want to get to know you - your growth, your “why,” and what you’ll bring to the profession."

Meet Our Pre-Professional & Exploratory Staff

Each staff member listed below plays a unique role in supporting our office and pre-professional students. Review the table to learn who to contact based on your needs, and feel free to reach out with any questions.