Over the last few months the Division has seen a number of staffing changes. Some folks have moved on while others are joining our team. We thank those who left us for the many contributions to the organization and extend a warm welcome to those who have recently joined our staff.
Undergraduate Advising says goodbye to five employees.
Sharon Harvey
After providing over 27 years of service to the Office of Undergraduate Advising, Sharon Harvey is retiring. A graduate of UC Davis, Sharon began her work in the OUA in March, 1979. Her first job in L&S was as a senior clerk, a position she held for about a year before being promoted to what used to be called "graduation adviser." In 1988 Sharon became a "College adviser," a position she held for EIGHTEEN YEARS.
In 2002 Sharon was given a special Award of Appreciation by the UC Berkeley chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity at their Black Women's Appreciation Night. This award conveys the respect and affection that many, many students have for Sharon. She received countless referrals from campus colleagues and shepherded many students with difficult and complicated situations all the way to graduation. Sharon's colleagues use words like "generous," "gutsy," "positive," and "wonderful!" to describe her. A splendid role model for students and staff alike, Sharon will be greatly missed in our office and on the campus at large. We will especially miss her radiant smile and warm heart.
James Dewey
James has left the OUA to pursue other endeavors. We want to thank him for a job well done! Dewey, as he was frequently called, was a wonderful colleague and his wry sense of humor is definitely missed in 113 Campbell Hall. He managed the daily mail distribution, processed various petitions and organized our file room with an eye for detail that few could match. He was a team player--always willing to help students and staff alike. Going the extra step was the norm for James and this was appreciated by all. We wish James all the best as he explores new opportunities!
Ed Free
College adviser Ed Free resigned from the Office of Undergraduate Advising (OUA) in October 2006 to join the Career Center as a counselor. Ed joined the OUA in fall 2004. During his tenure, he distinguished himself as an affable, energetic individual and group adviser, an effective and thorough project administrator, and creative program developer. The OUA wishes Ed good luck in his new position.
Florencio "Juhn" Verano
Juhn began his career as a College Adviser in the OUA in 2006. When fall rolled around, the Career Center was in search of a staff member to assist pre-med students and Juhn was the person with all the “right stuff.” In October he joined the Career Center staff and has now returned to his first home at Cal (Juhn interned at the UCB Career Center while a grad student at SFSU and worked as an admissions counselor at Stanford’s School of Medicine for six years after that). We wish Juhn well and know that as advisers we’ll have plenty of reason to call upon his expertise when working with our many pre-med students.
Mylanie Lampa
Mylanie, our evaluator assistant, left the office after 20 months of excellent service to pursue her ambitions of becoming an architect. In August 2006 she took a position as a resource manager for an architectural firm in San Ramon. Good luck Mylanie!
Undergraduate Advising Welcomes a New Advising Assistant, an Evaluation Assistant, and Two New Advisers!
Jennifer Cullison
Fresh off the plane from 18 months in Brazil, Jennifer Cullison returns to her native Bay Area to join the OUA team as the newest College Adviser. Jennifer comes to us with four years of experience as the lead Adviser in the Undergraduate Office in the College of Environmental Design. A UCSC Religious Studies alum with a graduate degrees in History and Religious Studies, a second career in community college teaching, a third "career" in English as a Foreign Language and travel, and four years administering a small Cal observatory, Jennifer has an eye for many different kinds of academic advising. Jennifer's philosophy of advising stresses whole brain satisfaction and the willingness to explore your interests and change your mind (well, as long as it is before the deadline!). On off hours you might find Jennifer singing songs in Portuguese as she hops on her motorcycle to go "ginga" in capoeira class. Look for Jennifer's meaty feijoada and other rich Brazilian dishes at upcoming OUA events, but don't remind her that she was a vegetarian for thirteen years before she went to Brazil!
Lisa Thomas
Ms. Lisa Thomas joined the OUA in early-February after relocating from Florida where she most recently served two years as Associate Director for Student Development at St. Thomas University. Previously, Lisa spent eight years at Broward Community College as a Senior Academic Advisor and Mentor Program Coordinator. Ms. Thomas has a B.A. in Music with a minor in Computer Information Systems from Judson College and also an M.S. in Educational Administration from St. Thomas University. Lisa says that her favorite area of advising is helping students transition into the academy, addressing issues of under-preparation, cultural concern, effective planning, and timely referral to resources. Please join us in welcoming Lisa!
Betty Wong
Betty is returning to Cal this time as an evaluator's assistant. After having graduated from UC Berkeley with a Psychology degree, she taught at a private school for 5 years. She is never far from where kids are as she spends her weekdays doting on her newborn nephew and the weekend with her Sunday School children. In her rare moments of spare time, she loves to read, travel, hang out with friends, learn a new musical instrument, create invitation cards, or design ornaments for friend's wedding favors and baby showers. Her desire is to become an advisor someday.
Elizabeth Wiley
OUA welcomes Elizabeth Wiley! Elizabeth joined the staff full time in May of 2006. A Cal grad with a double major in anthropology and history, Elizabeth brings a wealth of experience as an L&S peer adviser to her new position as an advising assistant. Elizabeth's commitment to helping students and strong technical skills made her the perfect match for the job. She has made a smooth transition into her new role and can now be found helping students from behind the Campbell Hall reception desk instead of from behind a blue cart on lower Sproul.
The Office of Undergraduate Research Welcomes a New Adviser!
Stefanie Ebeling
Stefanie joined the Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program last year after four years of advising international students in the Graduate Division. Her background is in second language acquisition, and her experience teaching German language classes and a little ESL has equipped her for the dense communication tasks involved in the many URAP information workshops she leads every semester. She enjoys helping students to clarify their research interests and find a like-minded URAP mentor. And she's a closet nerd; she loves grappling with new technologies, but doesn't like to admit it. Spring is her favorite season: film festival season! Stefanie is a true film buff and will go any distance to see a great movie. And she's always ready to offer a film review--wanted or not!
Fresh off the plane from 18 months in Brazil, Jennifer Cullison returns to her native Bay Area to join the OUA team as the newest College Adviser. Jennifer comes to us with four years of experience as the lead Adviser in the Undergraduate Office in the College of Environmental Design. A UCSC Religious Studies alum with a graduate degrees in History and Religious Studies, a second career in community college teaching, a third "career" in English as a Foreign Language and travel, and four years administering a small Cal observatory, Jennifer has an eye for many different kinds of academic advising. Jennifer's philosophy of advising stresses whole brain satisfaction and the willingness to explore your interests and change your mind (well, as long as it is before the deadline!). On off hours you might find Jennifer singing songs in Portuguese as she hops on her motorcycle to go "ginga" in capoeira class. Look for Jennifer's meaty feijoada and other rich Brazilian dishes at upcoming OUA events, but don't remind her that she was a vegetarian for thirteen years before she went to Brazil!
Ms. Lisa Thomas joined the OUA in early-February after relocating from Florida where she most recently served two years as Associate Director for Student Development at St. Thomas University. Previously, Lisa spent eight years at Broward Community College as a Senior Academic Advisor and Mentor Program Coordinator. Ms. Thomas has a B.A. in Music with a minor in Computer Information Systems from Judson College and also an M.S. in Educational Administration from St. Thomas University. Lisa says that her favorite area of advising is helping students transition into the academy, addressing issues of under-preparation, cultural concern, effective planning, and timely referral to resources. Please join us in welcoming Lisa!
Betty is returning to Cal this time as an evaluator's assistant. After having graduated from UC Berkeley with a Psychology degree, she taught at a private school for 5 years. She is never far from where kids are as she spends her weekdays doting on her newborn nephew and the weekend with her Sunday School children. In her rare moments of spare time, she loves to read, travel, hang out with friends, learn a new musical instrument, create invitation cards, or design ornaments for friend's wedding favors and baby showers. Her desire is to become an advisor someday.
OUA welcomes Elizabeth Wiley! Elizabeth joined the staff full time in May of 2006. A Cal grad with a double major in anthropology and history, Elizabeth brings a wealth of experience as an L&S peer adviser to her new position as an advising assistant. Elizabeth's commitment to helping students and strong technical skills made her the perfect match for the job. She has made a smooth transition into her new role and can now be found helping students from behind the Campbell Hall reception desk instead of from behind a blue cart on lower Sproul.
Stefanie joined the Undergraduate Research Apprentice Program last year after four years of advising international students in the Graduate Division. Her background is in second language acquisition, and her experience teaching German language classes and a little ESL has equipped her for the dense communication tasks involved in the many URAP information workshops she leads every semester. She enjoys helping students to clarify their research interests and find a like-minded URAP mentor. And she's a closet nerd; she loves grappling with new technologies, but doesn't like to admit it. Spring is her favorite season: film festival season! Stefanie is a true film buff and will go any distance to see a great movie. And she's always ready to offer a film review--wanted or not!