Meet the Staff

Damian Evans
Assistant Dean of Students
262-595-2540 | evansd@uwp.edu
Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Major: Communication, 1996, University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Master of Science (M.S.) in Student Personnel Administration, 2003, Concordia University of Wisconsin
Fun Fact
I listen to music to motivate me through tough times. Sam Cooke “A change is Gonna Come,” Le’Andria Johnson “Deliver Me,” and “Better Days” to name a few. Please feel free to share with me songs that motivate you.
Contact Damian about...
- Multicultural Student Services
- LGBTQ Resource Center
- Student Advocacy
- Student Organization Advising

Luis Benevoglienti
Assistant Director
262-595-2073 | benevogl@uwp.edu
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Major: Business Management with Concentration in Management Information Systems, 2003, University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Master of Education (M. Ed.) in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies, 2006, Iowa State University
Fun Fact
I like to listen to different types of music and I once learned to play piano.
Contact Luis about...
- Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Initiatives
- Lawton Undergraduate Retention Grant
- Advanced Opportunity (AOP) Grant
- Taking Care of Business Annual Celebration
- General Questions about the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs

April Puryear
Program Associate
262-595-2674 | puryeara@uwp.edu
Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Major: Sociology, 2006, University of Wisconsin-Parkside
Fun Fact
I LOVE the color PURPLE
Contact April about...
- Peer Advisors
- Taking Care of Business Annual Celebration
- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration

Amanda Markwardt
Coordinator for Retention Programs
262-595-3182 | markward@uwp.edu
Education
Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Major: Journalism with specialization in Public Relations, 2012, Bowling Green State University
Master of Science (M.S.) in Administrative Leadership; Concentration in Adult, Continuing, Higher Education Administration, 2019, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
Fun Fact
I love to cook and I consider myself a foodie. I love to experiment with new recipes, entertain guests, and try new restaurants.
Contact Amanda about...
- Always Reaching Upward (ARU) Mentor Program
- Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Initiatives

Colette Bell
Coordinator for Retention Programs
262-595-2643 | bellc@uwp.edu
Education
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Major: Journalism, 2017, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities
Fun Fact
I am a big fan of the arts; music, theatre, and dance. I even competed in the Wisconsin State Theatre Festival in High School and received the Best Actress award. Look out Academy Awards, here I come.
Contact Colette about...
- MOSAIC Educators
- Multicultural Professional Day