On behalf of Berkeley’s Council on Advising and Student Services and our awards planning committee, we are pleased to announce the recipients of our 2025 Excellence in Advising & Student Services Awards and to express our sincere gratitude to all our nominees for their outstanding contributions. These awards recognize the positive and innovative impact our recipients have on student learning, engagement, and belonging on the Berkeley campus. Congratulations to each of the award recipients listed below on this important achievement. The selection committee had a pool of very talented individuals from which to choose, and we wish to acknowledge our many nominators and contributors to this challenging selection process.
Together, we will recognize our award recipients at the awards ceremony on Wednesday, February 18 at 2:00 p.m. PST. Thank you to ALL advising and student services staff for making Berkeley a better place for students and for all of us! We also encourage everyone to add words of gratitue and thanks to individuals and teams within our student services community on our 2025 Kudoboard.
Recipients who wish to submit a photo for inclusion: Please email advising-strategy-and-training@berkeley.edu with your 150p x 150p headshot in .jpg or .png format.
Advising Innovation
An individual or team who has exhibited creativity and innovation in providing effective and welcoming advising and/or student services.
Mayra Rivera, Associate Director of Advising, Engineering Student Services, College of Engineering: "When our office faced the challenge of meeting ADA compliance standards for student forms under the federal Consent Decree, Mayra quickly became the campus expert in accessible form design. She mastered Qualtrics, collaborated with the company, and led the conversion of nearly all our student forms into ADA-compliant formats that still generate usable PDFs for staff. She continues to monitor accessibility standards and proactively explores new tools, such as Grackle for Google Docs. Beyond her technical innovation, Mayra engages her advising team to ensure new tools meet student and staff needs. Colleagues praise her as approachable, collaborative, and solutions-oriented. As Associate Director of Advising, she also manages a caseload of 400 Aerospace and Mechanical Engineering students, earning respect for her deep knowledge, clear communication, and care for student success. Mayra’s work has transformed our advising processes, improved accessibility for students, and strengthened collaboration across the College. Her combination of innovation, mentorship, and compassion makes her an outstanding candidate for this award."
College of Letters & Science Office of Undergraduate Advising Academic Progress Team: "The L&S Advising Academic Progress Team (APT) pioneered transformative enhancements to student support and communication. APT redesigned the Academic Standing Review (ASR) process, implementing a thorough evaluation rubric and high-touch advisor training that led to more timely Deans’ decisions, drastically reducing student anxiety and financial burdens. This work was deemed the “most easy & streamlined process EVER” by long-time staff. Critically, APT transformed post-ASR support, resulting in a 150% increase in advised students and a focus on individualized care. Further innovation includes spearheading an academic language project that utilized psychologically attuned messaging to update our student outreach content, fostering belonging and encouraging students to see “asking for help... as a sign of strength & growth.” APT’s dedication to holistic well-being—for both students and staff (via advisor wellness sessions)—demonstrates exceptional student-centeredness, large-scale positive impact, and a commitment to sustained excellence."
- Arman Liwanag-Orpilla, Senior College Advisor & Deans’ Conference Coordinator
- Brittany Kulusich, College Advisor
- Daunte Marshall, College Advisor
- Joanna King, Senior College Advisor, Academic Progress Team Project Lead
- Kelsey Owyang, College Advisor
- Luis D Gonzalez, College Advisor
- Marisol B Silva, College Advisor
- Monica Garcia, Assistant Director, Academic Progress
- Noah Bender, Future of Higher Education Postdoctoral Fellow
- Scherane Kinney, College Advisor
- Ziva Armstrong, Senior College Advisor, Advising Lead
Equity Champion
An individual or team who makes advising and student support more inclusive, fair, and responsive to the needs of historically marginalized and/or non-traditional student populations. Ideal candidates have demonstrated success in addressing student needs and in responding to critical campus concerns and issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Berkeley International Office Student Services Team: "Since January 2025, the BIO Student Services Team has supported the international student population and the UC Berkeley campus through a period of unprecedented change and challenge as it relates to immigration enforcement. While this unit has weathered change before, we have not previously faced such a sustained and directed threat to international students, their rights, and their well-being. To address these challenges, BIO advisors focused on ongoing rapid-response in support of the impacted international student population, as well as direct support to our campus administrators, faculty, and staff. During this period, the advising team reviewed 30+ specific government executive orders, regulatory changes or proposed changes, agency actions, and policy shifts. These actions and policies include a complex array of topics specifically targeting international students and families: country-specific travel bans; changes in visa issuance policy; visa revocations; visa processing pauses; enhanced vetting in visas among others. This list is a window into the scope of issues impacting this population. BIO advisors rose to the challenge! They exhibited the qualities of a high-performing team, committed to supporting the student experience and making Berkeley a welcoming place for students. They worked in collaboration with each other and imagined new ways of delivering services, all this while going above and beyond the call of duty because of an understaffed team."
- Erin Skelly, Assistant Director for Student Services
- Jeremiah Lee, Program Manager for Support & Engagement
- Nancy Aguilar, International Student Adviser
- Sage Erbez-Benson, International Student Advisor
- Katherine Greco, International Student Adviser
- Tuangporn (Yam) Mansmann, International Student Advisor
- Amy Chin-Pokhrel, Assistant Director Client Relations
- Wasim Younis, International Student Adviser
- Anna McCreedy, Communications Coordinator
- Michaela Auerbach, IT & SEVIS Manager
- Emily Love, International Student Adviser
- Jessica Sharp, International Student & Scholar Advisor
Revae Contreras & Jesselle Hoque, Assistant Directors for Engineering & Physical Sciences, Berkeley Career Engagement: "Jesselle Hoque and Revae Contreras, who are both Assistant Directors for Engineering and Physical Sciences at Berkeley Career Engagement for the Equity Champion Award, have both demonstrated a commitment to empowering underrepresented students through innovation, high-impact programs, collaborative partnerships with campus partners, alumni, and employers. Through their efforts, they have provided impactful, responsive, and timely support to students as they navigate their personal and professional development."
UC Excelerator Team, UC Berkeley Extension: "The UC Excelerator Team at UC Berkeley Extension champions equity and access by creating pathways for historically marginalized and non-traditional students to pursue UC Berkeley–quality education. Through the Career Excelerator Award and Pre-Nursing Excelerator Scholarship—funded by alum Scott Galloway—the team has supported over 70 students in just one year, 75% of whom identify as low-income, 77% as first-generation, and 62% as historically underrepresented. By connecting with more than 50 community colleges and 100 community organizations statewide, the team connects new communities to UC Berkeley Extension courses, certificates, advising, and professional development tailored to their needs. Their work exemplifies culturally responsive, student-centered service that removes financial and structural barriers while empowering working adults, caregivers, and returning learners to thrive academically and professionally. UC Excelerator stands as a model of sustained, equity-driven innovation that transforms access into achievement."
- Emily Upton, Project Manager
- Jan Carmelo Bautista, Academic Advisor
- Amy Barron Chung, Registrar & Assistant Dean
- Emily Chow, Academic Operations Manager
- Sharon Doyle, Assistant Dean (retired)
- Monica GuhaMajumdar, Interim Assistant Dean
- Pauline Alnajjar, Student Academic Advisor
Excellence in Data and/or Research-Driven Student Services
An individual or team within a student services unit who has integrated data, assessment, research, and/or student development or engagement theory to improve or inform advising and student support practice at Berkeley.
Mikaela Auerbach, IT & SEVIS Manager, Berkeley International Office: ""Her title of IT and SEVIS Manager for the Berkeley International Office belies Mikaela Auerbach’s knowledge of the international student experience and her ability to excel in her role. Her ground-breaking work mining data and creating reports has been indispensable to campus leaders and to international students whose educational goals were severely impacted by recent government-related actions tied to immigration. Through her innovative efforts, the reports that Mikaela created helped inform the work of the Berkeley International Office when the SEVIS records of certain international students were terminated by federal agencies. It allowed advisors to provide personalized services in a sensitive manner that included information, advice, and resources. Separately, and In addition, because of the uncertainty about students ability to obtain visas over the summer, the data Mikaela was able to produce around visa issuance rates helped campus leaders forecast a realistic picture of how many students were likely to arrive on campus by the time of the start of classes. It became sought-after information as academic and administrative departments engaged in planning for the Fall semester. Mikaela is respected not only for her knowledge but also for her collaborative mindset. These contribute to an improved learning environment and postivie student expereince. Her work aligns with our principles of international engagement and the mission of the university."
Data Discovery Program Team, College of Computing, Data Science, & Society: ""The Data Discovery Program provides students the opportunity to work on projects that apply data skills to real-world problems in academia, government, industry, and NGOs. Guided by extensive data collection and analysis, the program team significantly transformed the program to improve the student experience and program value. The team collected data from undergraduates, current/former mentors, and advisors. They gathered information via student evaluations, mentor feedback forms, focus groups, and advisor sessions. With this information, they identified and implemented 3 substantial changes. The team developed a tool to standardize and integrate student applications, mentor project descriptions, and team selection; they added workshops to encourage student participation, orientations to improve mentoring, early feedback mechanisms for mentors and students, and a program guide; and designed a laboratory course to support students with contextualizing their work, communication skills, and working in a team. This fall, applications doubled to 961, and 219 students were placed on 61 projects. The Team has done an outstanding job making evidence-based decisions to envision and implement a program centered on the student experience and using sustainable structures and innovative technology."
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George Obaido, Research Program Director, Student Services
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Emily Remirez, Research Program co-Director, Student Services
- Sierra White-Koutsoubos, Organizational Development Director, CDSS
Environmental Science, Policy & Management Graduate Student Affairs Officer Team, Rausser College of Natural Resources: "We are proud to nominate the ESPM Graduate Student Services Team for the Excellence in Data and/or Research-Driven Student Services award. The team has transformed graduate advising through creativity, compassion, and the thoughtful use of data to better support every student. Knowing that challenges often surface too late, the GSAOs created a proactive, data-informed advising model. They meet with every incoming student before their program begins, gathering information on preparation, funding, and goals to provide personalized guidance from the start. Using insights from past cohorts, they built a Bcourses site that eases the transition into graduate school, offering key information and opportunities for connection and community. They also developed group supports at milestones like qualifying exams and advancement to candidacy, helping students navigate shared challenges together. The team’s data work extends to faculty mentoring and program planning. They introduced ongoing assessments and Individual Development Plans to strengthen mentorship, and they track funding trends to guide financial planning and transparency. Through their empathy and evidence-based approach, the ESPM GSAO team ensures every student is seen, supported, and set up for success. Their work embodies Berkeley’s commitment to innovative, equitable, and student-centered advising."
- Ryann Madden, Environmental Science, Policy & Management Graduate Student Affairs Officer
- Zarah Ersoff, Environmental Science, Policy & Management Graduate Student Affairs Officer
Service to the Advising and Student Services Community
An individual or team who has made a significant contribution to the advising and student services community, e.g., creating a resource, process improvement, or program that positively impacts the advising or students services community beyond their immediate area(s) of work.
Denise Yee & Natalie Poulos, Department of Statistics Department Undergraduate Student Services Advisors & Course and Curriculum Officers: "I enthusiastically nominate Denise Yee and Natalie Poulos for the Service to the Advising and Student Services Community TEAM Award. As Undergraduate Student Services Advisors and Course & Curriculum Officers for Statistics, they advise hundreds of students and manage all departmental courses. They played a pivotal role in the transition of Statistics, Data Science, and Computer Science undergraduate programs from L&S to the College of Computing, Data Science, and Society (CDSS), helping to shape the college's advising structure, serving on working groups, interview panels, and collaborating closely with colleagues to ensure a smooth transition. They updated student-facing materials, contributed to creating new advising policies, and supported CDSS-wide initiatives, including commencements and staff training. Additionally, they played a crucial role in establishing the Stat Scholars Program this past year. A program that provides academic support and fosters community among students in Statistics courses, helping them thrive academically and prepare for success in their future careers. Despite increased responsibilities, they consistently deliver attentive, student-centered support. Faculty, colleagues and students praise their professionalism, empathy, and dedication, highlighting their vital role in sustaining high-quality advising and student services. Their leadership, innovation, and unwavering commitment make them highly deserving of this award."
American Cultures Center Team, Division of Undergraduate Education: "The American Cultures Center team is deeply committed to campus advising and student support through our partnerships with advisors and student-centered initiatives. By partnering with campus advisors and centering student voices, we continually co-create resources, programs, and professional development opportunities for students and advisors that center social justice and integrate mindful equity approaches into their daily work. These programs include the Creative Discovery Fellowship, allowing students to peer advise one another on constructing deeply personal, community storytelling projects; the American Cultures Engaged Scholarship Graduate Learning Community to support graduate students and community engaged scholarship; and Staff as Students of Social Justice (SSSJ) to foster a culture of belonging, a deep understanding of social justice issues, and academic growth. Across all these programs and partnerships, the AC Center constantly adapts, innovates, and listens, demonstrating only the highest standards for student-centered and equity-driven advising and service."
- Clara Mangali, Student Program Assistant
- Zora Uyeda-Hale, Student Program Assistant
- Kaneesha Goyal, Student Program Assistant
- Doug Parada, Project & Policy Analyst
- Victoria Robinson, Director
- David Maldonado, Instructor of Pedagogy, Staff as Students of Social Justice Program
- Tindra Olsson-Hoffman, Creative Discovery Fellows Undergraduate Student Consultant
- Esha Potharaju, Creative Discovery Fellows Undergraduate Student Consultant
- Angelina Alcala, Creative Discovery Fellows Undergraduate Student Consultant
- Shreya Chaudhuri, American Cultures Environmental Justice Initiative Coordinator
- Cassy Huang, American Cultures Engaged Scholarship Program Manager& Associate Director of the Public Service Center
- Sandra Bass, Senior Associate Dean and Executive Director Public Service Center
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Keshwanth Puligulla, Climate Action Engagement Fellow, Student Environmental Resource Center & Environmental Justice Initiative Collaborator
Outstanding New Advisor or Student Services Professional
An individual with three or fewer years experience working in advising or student support at Berkeley whose primary role is the direct delivery of advising and/or student services to students. Ideal candidates have demonstrated a positive impact on student learning, engagement, belonging, and success; and embody a student-centered, equity-oriented, strengths-based approach to advising, counseling or mentoring.
Anna Atkinson, Student Services Advisor, Department of Earth and Planetary Science: ""In less than two years as Student Services Advisor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Science, Anna Atkinson has transformed the student experience through creativity, empathy, and a deep commitment to equity and belonging. Though new to advising, she has made an immediate and lasting impact on students and colleagues alike. Anna’s student-centered approach blends individualized care with innovative programming. She launched the Peer Advisor Program in her first year, empowering students to mentor one another and foster community. One student shared, “She makes people feel seen and heard and more than just a student.” Since Anna began her position, EPS majors grew from 86 to 126, the largest rise since 2015. Her outreach and communication have made the department more visible and welcoming. Students describe her as “kind, patient, and reliable,” and say meeting with her “never feels like an obligation—it’s something I look forward to.” As coordinator of the Ramsden Fund, Anna streamlined applications and expanded access to research funding. Faculty praised her for “making the system work from start to finish.” Beyond advising, she enriches department culture by organizing events that build connection and joy. Colleagues describe her as “radiating warmth” and “someone who creates a safe and happy environment.” Anna truly exemplifies an Outstanding New Advisor—equity-oriented, collaborative, and deeply committed to student success and belonging."
Kathryn Medina-Ghiraldini, Senior College Adviser, College of Letters & Science Office of Undergraduate Advising: "In not even two years with the L&S Office of Undergraduate Advising, Senior College Adviser Kathryn Medina-Ghiraldini has contributed immeasurably to the learning and development of the OUA staff and advising experience for students, all while centering equity-oriented, strengths-based approaches and incredible warmth, compassion, and joy in her work. Kathryn used her expertise in teaching and learning to revamp adviser onboarding into a flipped classroom model which leverages continuing advisers’ considerable knowledge and experience to support a sustainable, shared learning between staff. Her changes to adviser onboarding have truly transformed the way we are able to welcome new staff to the values-driven culture in L&S, and prepare them for the work of compassionately and knowledgeably advising over 20,000 undergraduates. Kathryn is a champion for leveraging community strengths, creating space for adviser leadership, and enrichment of advising practice across our team, all while maintaining her own heavy advising practice, coaching EOAC staff across campus, and volunteering as an L&S Advisor on Call. She “has infused L&S Advising with new ideas, contagious positive energy, & clearly values compassion in the workplace."
Kayli Minear, Graduate Student Affairs Officer, Department of Architecture, College of Environmental Design: "Kayli Minear, Graduate Student Advising Officer in the Architecture Department, is the essential leader, advisor, and teammate. As a GSAO, Kayli inaugurated programming such as the Architecture Admission Ambassadors and a Financial Need Grant that supports student engagement, retention, and belonging. She has an authentically student-centered, caring, and connected approach to advising—thoughtfully structuring conversations to help students organize their thoughts, consider new ideas, and work through struggles together. She is also a lifelong learner, consistently applying new knowledge from workshops in topics like restorative justice practices, trauma-informed counseling, and undocumented student support. Kayli’s advocacy, compassion, and indispensable leadership have fostered a shift towards a positive departmental and college culture. One of her supporters wrote, “Working with Kayli has made me a better professional and student support advocate. She is passionate about her work and has a strong sense of responsibility and dedication to her students personal and academic development. She always makes herself available when an issue arises and is incredibly reliable. Her advising is rooted in empathy and respect, and she truly values her students' mental health.”
Rachael Delizo, College Advisor, College of Letters & Science Office of Undergraduate Advising: "Rachael Delizo is an exemplary L&S College Advisor, embodying a student-centered, equity-oriented, and strengths-based approach & navigating complex systems with grace & poise. Her deep understanding of student development fuels strategic innovation and direct service, resulting in a profound impact on student belonging and success, consistently reflected by 100% satisfaction rates in student surveys. She excels particularly with vulnerable students, making them feel "incredibly comfortable" and "empowered." Rachael is a tireless champion for equity and access, driving innovation by revamping T2C/GBA bCourses to save hundreds of staff hours and leading accessibility training for her team. Crucially, she immediately volunteered for key access initiatives, including the Same Day Appointment pilot and Satellite Advising for African American Student Development (AASD), thereby opening nearly 80 more appointments per semester and increasing staffing for the AASD population by 50%. Colleagues praise her as a "consummate learner" and "AMAZING team player" who consistently steps up to help with urgent student needs. Her commitment to creating equitable, connected experiences and her exceptional advising skills make her an incredible asset to the advising & student services community."
Outstanding Advisor or Student Services Professional
An individual with more than three years experience working in advising or student support at Berkeley whose primary role is the direct delivery of advising and/or student services to students. Ideal candidates have demonstrated a positive impact on student learning, engagement, belonging, and success; and embody a student-centered, equity-oriented, strengths-based approach to advising, counseling or mentoring.
Andrea Silas, Senior Financial Aid Counselor & Basic Needs Center Liaison, Financial Aid & Scholarships Office: "Andrea Silas serves the university and student community as a Senior Financial Aid & Basic Needs Counselor in the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office. Andrea leads with an approach that focuses on solutions, rather than problems- providing compassionate, comprehensive advising to students while also recognizing and respecting the many unique lived experiences of Berkeley students. Since 2018, Andrea has administered the Housing Security Deposit Award program, which provides emergency resources to hundreds of students each year for the purpose of securing safe and stable housing. From the beginning, she has served as the primary coordinator of this fund, thoughtfully budgeting to meet the needs of students while collaborating with campus partners and providing holistic counseling and support to every student who applies. Through Andrea’s innovation and leadership, the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office and Basic Needs Center developed a process and policy around Emergency Financial Assistance, introduced through new provisions of the Higher Education Act in 2024. As a result of these new provisions, more flexibility was granted in providing emergency funding to students without impacting their eligibility for other financial aid resources. Through her dedicated work and close partnership with the Basic Needs Center and other campus colleagues, Andrea has fostered and strengthened a culture of care that goes above and beyond to support the health and well-being of students."
Anita Adams, Regents' and Chancellor’s Scholarship Program Advisor, Financial Aid & Scholarships Office: "As a Scholarship Program Advisor in the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office, Anita Adams is responsible for supporting international and transfer students participating in the Regents’ and Chancellor’s Scholarship program. In addition to her regular responsibilities, she has eagerly taken on additional duties to support international students who are supported by the Swaniker Scholarship, the Rodriguez-Pastor Scholarship, and the Robinson Scholarship. Anita is deeply committed to understanding and assisting with the unique challenges and opportunities that impact international undergraduate students, especially those coming to Berkeley under difficult circumstances. She is an open and enthusiastic listener who invests the time and energy to proactively build relationships with the scholars and understand each student’s specific needs and goals. Anita's efforts have resulted in multiple students being able to matriculate at Berkeley despite significant immigration and financial barriers. The students appreciate the community she has worked to build for them, and that she is available as a resource to address questions and concerns about any topic, not just financial aid and scholarships."
Joy Ahn, Master Programs Advisor, Bioengineering, College of Engineering: "Joy Ahn, Masters Program Manager in the Department of Bioengineering, is an amazing graduate student advisor for our two Masters programs, the Masters in Translational Medicine (Joint with UCSF) and the Masters of Engineering. In only 3 years Joy has had an incredibly positive impact on our program and students. She worked to both learn about our programs and, arriving just after Covid, help our students readjust. Joy has increased the diversity of our Masters programs, while maintaining the number of in-state students, by visiting Cal State Universities and conferences around California. Joy also started with UG interns to use social media for outreach, which has led to larger admission pools and even better students. Most recently, Joy has been supporting our international students when they have unexpected trouble with their visas. This has ranged from not being able to get an appointment at the embassy in Costa Rica to visa problems for MasterCard Fellows from Sub-Saharan Africa. ‘Her guidance and genuine care make all the difference for everyone she works with.’"
Lindsey Villarreal, Graduate Advisor & Policy Analyst, Department of African American Studies: "In the department of African American Studies, Lindsey Villarreal, Graduate Advisor and Policy Analyst, is lauded for the incredible and sustained impact she has had on student success for more than 23 years of service. She is described as a core pillar of the department, its institutional memory, and a crucial figure in shaping its welcoming, functional, and supportive culture. Testimonials from colleagues and students illustrate her broad impact. The Department Chair highlights her as a ""generous, dedicated and expert Graduate Student Advisor"" who works ""tirelessly... behind the scenes"" to support students and faculty, especially during crises, and also co-mentors the Veve Clark Institute for Engaged Scholars. A faculty member notes that her M.A. in the field enables her to advise students ""holistically,"" understanding the substance of their work. A former student calls her the ""fairy godmother of graduate students,"" detailing her irreplaceable, ""above and beyond"" support, which included help with retreats, fellowships, exam prep (""taught me how to breathe""), and job talks. She is universally celebrated for her authenticity, skill, and her ability to 'make things work' with the 'finesse of a magician.'"
Michelle Ayazi, Berkeley Study Abroad Advisor: "For 12.5 years, Michelle Ayazi has made Berkeley study abroad students feel grounded, calm and seen. One student stated, ““I felt guided by her presence the whole time I was figuring out my study abroad journey. Her compassion was evident. I felt her care for me.” Michelle has cultivated relationships and a sense of belonging with communities that are underrepresented in study abroad, including Regents & Chancellor’s Scholars, Student Parents, Re-Entry students, Hope Scholars, and STEM students from departments within COE, L&S, and CDSS. For the past 3 years, Michelle has led Study Abroad 201 for academic advisors to help them learn how to integrate coursework from their major into study abroad in order to help make our programs more accessible to all students. She has also helped multiple departments receive grants of up to $5,000 for this work from UCEAP. One of Michelle’s most impactful areas of work is coordinating the Gilman Scholarship offerings to Berkeley students, a generous scholarship offered to pell-eligible study abroad applicants. Each semester, Michelle offers info sessions, coordinates peer coaching between new applicants and Gilman alumni, and supports recipients as they prepare to study abroad. For several years under Michelle’s leadership, UCB has been a top recipient of Gilman Scholars among large public universities in the US. These awards are often what make studying abroad possible for some of our most brilliant students."
Miguel Avila, Berkeley Hope Scholars & EOP Program Financial Aid Counselor, Financial Aid & Scholarships Office: "Miguel Angel Avila, Jr. exemplifies outstanding student service through his dedicated work as a Financial Aid Counselor in the Financial Aid & Scholarships Office. Through his partnership with Berkeley Hope Scholars and the Educational Opportunity Program, Miguel provides compassionate and comprehensive financial aid advising to underrepresented student populations- including first-generation students, students from low-income households, former foster youth, and students who have experienced homelessness. Whether guiding a student through the complexities of financial aid procedures and policies, helping them navigate emergency funding, or simply offering a compassionate listening ear, Miguel creates a safe and supportive environment where students feel seen and valued. To reach students more broadly, Miguel takes an innovative approach in developing financial aid workshops that are tailored to meet the needs of students. He creates opportunities for hands-on support in navigating financial aid applications and appeals, empowering students to create lasting financial skills. Through his work with the “Once a Bear, Always a Bear” program, Miguel also builds bridges that help students to return to the university to complete their degree. He recognizes the unique barriers that students face and advises with empathy, while encouraging self-reflection. Miguel models what it means to serve the whole student—with compassion, integrity, and a steadfast belief in their potential."
Monica Albe, Integrative Biology Graduate Program Manager: "Monica Albe is the glue that holds our graduate program together. As the Integrative Biology Graduate Program Manager, Monica fosters a genuine sense of belonging, empowers students to take ownership of their Berkeley experience, and exemplifies what it means to be a guiding advisor. She makes it her personal mission to bring warmth and compassion into every space she enters. From student lunches and orientation to recruitment events and the IB Symposium, she brings together museum, building, and adjacent staff members to ensure everyone feels welcomed, included, and valued as part of a larger community. She genuinely knows and cares about every student and faculty member in Integrative Biology and is probably the single most universally liked and trusted member of our community. We cannot imagine somebody who would be better at her job—she knocks it out of the park day after day after day."
Outstanding Advising or Student Services Administrator, Director, or Manager
An individual whose primary responsibility is as an administrator, director, manager, or supervisor of advising or student support services. Ideal candidates have demonstrated a positive impact on staff and/or student learning, engagement, belonging, and success; and embody a student/staff-centered, equity-oriented, strengths-based approach to management and supervision. Qualifications may include innovation and creativity in approach or program, and/or use of emerging technologies.
Monica Garcia, Assistant Director of Academic Progress, College of Letters & Science Office of Undergraduate Advising: "Monica Garcia, Assistant Director of Academic Progress at L&S Advising, is an authentic, student-centered leader and Outstanding Manager whose innovative strategies have fundamentally improved access and equity for students and staff well-being. By combining deep empathy with structural foresight, Monica championed a change that achieved an astonishing 156% increase in consistent 1:1 advising support for vulnerable students and is a staunch advocate for Satellite Advising for marginalized communities. Her impact on staff is equally profound: she is celebrated for "keeping [her] team's wellness at heart," creating a safe space for vulnerability, and expertly modeling compassion. Monica also drives large-scale institutional innovation as the co-architect of the Academic Progress Summit, a permanent, cross-organizational working group uniting 20+ campus units. Through visionary processes like the APT Academic Language Change Project and introducing equitable management tools, Monica continually ensures L&S Advising upholds Berkeley’s highest goals, solidifying her status as an invaluable and inspirational campus leader."
Outstanding Peer Advisor, Mentor, Counselor, or Ambassador
Undergraduate and graduate student paraprofessionals (either paid or unpaid) who provide exceptional advising, mentoring, and counseling to other students.
Michelle Gallaga, Global Poverty and Practice Minor Peer Advisor: "Michelle Gallaga, a Peer Advisor for the Global Poverty and Practice (GPP) Minor, is being recognized for her dedication, care, and leadership in her role. As a re-entry student, she puts students at ease and goes above and beyond, routinely following up on complex cases and referrals to ensure students receive critical support. Michelle is also well-respected among her fellow Peer Advisors, known for providing gentle and helpful guidance to colleagues. Additonally, she is a co-founder of the new GPP Student Association, thoughtfully building a peer-support network for students focused on poverty alleviation efforts. Her dedication to continuous growth as an advisor makes her an invaluable asset to the staff, faculty, and students in the GPP Minor."
Sanya Sitlani, Office of Instruction & Student Affairs Peer Advising Leader, Rausser College of Natural Resources: "Sanya Sitlani is an outstanding 3-year Peer Advising Leader (PAL) representing the Rausser College Office of Instruction & Student Affairs. Sanya brings positivity, hard work, innovation, and humble leadership to the advising office and PAL program. Not only does Sanya represent the advising office well but they are also a very active member of the wider Rausser College community among peers, other staff members, and faculty through their many other roles on campus. They have demonstrated excellency in their role, great respect and reverence from the college community, and remarkable character that will make a positive impact wherever life takes them after UC Berkeley."
UC Berkeley Basic Needs Center Food Pantry & Food Recovery Team, Division of Equity & Inclusion:"At the UCB Basic Needs Center, the Food Team is composed of 18 student staff members, who work together to operate emergency food services for their peers, ensuring students all across campus have sufficient access to food. There are two parts to this team, the Food Pantry team and the Food Recovery team. The Food Team serves a wide range of students from diverse backgrounds and provides immediate food relief along with ongoing community connection to our most vulnerable students. The Food Pantry is a student-led space that was envisioned and created for students by students. This program provides an essential service and also serves to destigmatize food insecurity, making it clear that food access is a right for all students. Student leaders have cultivated a welcoming, empowering space that openly supports all student communities. Their efforts have resulted in a large, cultural shift across campus. In the last academic year alone, the Food Pantry received a total of 18,905 visits and served 4106 unique students. The Food Recovery team created a Grab n Go program to address the needs of students who are unable to cook their own meals. Grab n Go meets complex needs by providing free meals with low barriers to access and the student staff are continuously adapting this program to improve accessibility. Last academic year, they provided a total of 17,727 meals and makes up 93% of Welcome Center visitors."
- Natalia Semeraro
- Faith Blea, Food Pantry Lead
- Manuel Lopez, Food Pantry Lead
- Maritza Bustamante, Food Recovery Lead
- Adam Zaini, Food Pantry Ambassador
- Ayaan Ahmed, Food Pantry Ambassador
- Faith Blea, Food Pantry Lead
- Isabel Wu, Food Pantry Ambassador
- Lisette Aguilera, Food Pantry Ambassador
- Lora Chang, Food Pantry Ambassador
- Manuel Lopez, Food Pantry Lead
- Philip Ngo, Food Pantry Ambassador
- Prathana Adhikari, Food Pantry Ambassador
- Stephany Serrano Guzman, Food Pantry Ambassador
- Valery Hernandez Rodriguez, Food Pantry Ambassador
- Amelia Cortina, Food Recovery Ambassador
- Belize Villapudua, Food Recovery Ambassador
- Kylie Brannon, Food Recovery Ambassador
- Maritza Bustamante, Food Recovery Lead
- Megan Younes, Food Recovery Ambassador
- Naomi Ortiz, Food Recovery Ambassador
- Paola Jara, Food Recovery Ambassador
Outstanding Faculty Advisor
An individual whose primary responsibilities are teaching and research who spend a portion of their time providing advising directly to students. Ideal candidates have demonstrated a positive impact on staff and/or student learning, engagement, belonging, and success; and embody a student/staff-centered, equity-oriented, strengths-based approach to management and supervision.
Daniel Portnoy, Distinguished Professor, Departments of Molecular & Cell Biology and Plant and Microbial Biology: "Dr. Daniel A Portnoy is a distinguished professor of Biochemistry, Biophysics and Structural Biology in the department of Molecular and Cell Biology. When I started grad school in 2020, my mental and physical health was at an all time low. By then, it’d been many years since I’d lost my sense of self to the effects of poverty and generational trauma. I was a graduate student with arrested development terrified of being “found out.” Unfortunately and fortunately for me, I couldn’t approach a PhD like I did a bachelor’s degree. Parts of myself that I hid from my loved ones were painfully obvious to my UCB peers. In an attempt to cope with the fear I felt, I isolated myself. I eventually learned that my poor mental health could negatively affect others. I’ve come to realize that although I mean well, I’m not the easiest person to work with. Dan is my Principal Investigator and as one would expect, he’s incredibly organized, has a USB for a brain and has “never been late to an appointment”– something he is very proud of. The level of patience and flexibility Dan’s offered me these past 6 years is admirable and has served to improve my professional and personal life. As such, before I graduate, I’d like to thank him for his mentorship. He isn’t the biggest fan of gifts so I thought maybe I could thank him by adding another well-deserved bullet point to his CV? In summary, if you are reading this, it means that I am very lucky to have Dan as a faculty advisor."