Professional Staff

Aurora Kamimura, PhD (she/her/ella) is the Interim Learning & Development Lead for Bearprints for Success, in the Division of Student Success. She is also a lecturer in the Department of Education at WashU. For over 25 years, she has dedicated her career as an educator to broadening access and creating more equitable learning environments. Dr. […]

Renelle Spinks is a St. Louis native and attended Southeast Missouri State University, where she earned a B.S. in Communication Disorders and an MPA in Public Administration. She coordinates Parent and Family Weekend, as well as first-year orientation and transition programming, with a strong commitment to supporting student success and creating meaningful experiences for students […]

Ally Schipma, Ed.D., serves as the Director of Student Transitions & Engagement at Washington University in St. Louis, where she leads programs and initiatives that support students and families as they navigate important transitions throughout the undergraduate experience. In her role, she oversees New Student Orientation, Parent & Family Weekend, Bearprints for Success, and other […]

Alexis coordinates transfer and exchange student orientation and transitions programs. She co-supervises the Student Transitions & Engagement Student Executive Board and WashU Student Associates (WUSAs). She also contributes to first-year orientation and transition programming. Proudly from Saint Louis, Alexis holds a B.S. in Public Relations & Tourism and a M.A. in International Relations with an […]

Joe coordinates first-year programming and gap year programming. He co-supervises the Student Transitions & Engagement Student Executive Board and WashU Student Associates (WUSAs). He also contributes to first-year orientation and transition programming. Originally from southeast Missouri, Joe holds a B.S. in mass media and a M.A. in communication from Missouri State University.