Council Members

Nicole Smith has worked at Washington University since 2017, joining the School of Engineering in 2018. She currently serves as the Assistant Director of Recruitment and Communications in Graduate Student Services. Nicole recently completed her Master’s degree in Project Management through the Sever Institute in McKelvey Engineering. Outside of work, Nicole enjoys spending time with her dogs, family, and friends. She also spends time starting up her small farm, Running Mill Farms.

Ashleigh Goedereis is an Assistant Dean in Engineering Undergraduate Student Services starting in 2019. In her role she is a 4-year advisor to engineering students, works with academic support programs, and also helps with the Women & Engineering programing.

Outside of work, she enjoys reading, spending time with her family, cheering on the St. Louis Blues, trying new places to eat, and going to Disney World.

Molly Olten has been the Communication Specialist for the Department of Biomedical Engineering since 2021. In her role, she manages the department’s social media, prepares marketing materials and writes articles among other communications tasks. Outside of the office, Molly enjoys listening to music, hiking, reading and spending time with family and friends.

Kate Whitaker works in the Engineering Undergraduate Student Services Office as the Undergraduate Program Coordinator. She has been at Washington University since spring of 2015 where she worked in the Physics Department and joined the McKelvey School of Engineering in the summer of 2016. She is also a member of the Alcohol and Other Drugs subcommittee through the Habif Health and Wellness Center.

Outside of work, Kate enjoys watching and playing sports, photography, traveling and eating delicious food.

Ellen brings more than 25 years of sales, marketing, public relations and communications experience to her Client Relationship Manager role in the Technology & Leadership Center. Ellen has worked in a variety of industries including automotive, finance, higher eduacation, and defense, working for companies such as General Motors, Emerson Electric, Maritz, and CIT Corporate Finance. She has been at the University for 11 years.

She has 2 children and 3, four-year old grandchildren who keep her hopping!

Ethan has been with WashU in the McKelvey Engineering IT Department since 2015 as the Audio-Visual Technician, supporting faculty, staff, and students, with presentations and events. Before coming to WashU he served in the United States Air Force with the Air Force Band as a Production Technician and Audio Engineer. He recently completed his Master of Project Management degree through the Sever Institute at McKelvey. In his spare time, he enjoys watching movies and being in the outdoors glamping in his Fifth-Wheel trailer. Ethan looks forward to serving his fellow staff in the capacity as a Member of the Staff Council.