Crown & Merrill Advising
Crown & Merrill Advising Team
The Crown & Merrill advising team is here to guide students from day one at UCSC through graduation. Our advisors are available to answer questions about scheduling classes, degree requirements, qualifying for a major, academic support and enrichment opportunities, and more. We invite you to reach out to us anytime, and we will assist you however we can. We are here for you!
How to Connect with an Advisor
Email Advising
Email is often the fastest way to get help. Include your full name, student ID, and any forms as PDF attachments. We’ll get back to you as soon as we can!
Email Merrill Advising: merrilladvising@ucsc.edu
Email Crown Advising: crownadvising@ucsc.edu
Appointments
Zoom: You can schedule a Zoom appointment through Slug Success.
Walk in: Walk-in hours and virtual appointments for quick questions about classes, planning, and more. [Check the advising calendar below for availability]
Live Chat with Peer Advisors!
Use your UCSC email to add mrlpradv@ucsc.edu for Merrill students and crownpa@ucsc.edu for Crown students on Google Chat.
See the advising calendar for chat hours.
Peer Advising & Advising Calendar
Peer advisors can support with general GE checks, general enrollment support (how to enroll, swap or edit a class), and sharing campus resources. Peer advisors are available in-person during our open hours and virtually. Use your UCSC email to add mrlpradv@ucsc.edu for Merrill students and crownpa@ucsc.edu for Crown students on Google Chat.
See the advising calendar below for chat hours and other advising events!
Meet Your Advisors
Dan Barnhart
Assistant Director of Colleges Advising – Crown & Merrill Colleges
Pronouns: He/Him/His
About Me:
Greetings! My name is Dan and I’m the Asisstant Director of Colleges Advising for Crown & Merrill Colleges. I began my career in Higher Education working in Residential Life and have held positions in Admissions, Re-Entry, Financial Aid and Academic Advising, bringing me from California to Colorado and back to California again! When I’m not on campus working with our fabulous students and advisers, I enjoy playing Disc Golf, Rock Climbing, watching and discussing all things soccer/football and hiking with my partner and dog through the many trails and forests in Santa Cruz and the Bay Area. Come by and say hello!
Education:
B.A., in Philosophy, Sonoma State University
M.Ed in Student Affairs, University of California, Los Angeles
Alejandra Guzman Llamas
Academic Advisor – Merrill College
Pronouns: She/Her
About Me:
Greetings Slugs! I’m Alejandra, an academic advisor for Merrill College. I was born in Mexico and raised in Los Angeles, CA. I am a Dreamer and first-generation college student. In my role I help students identify and explore their interests and establish academic, personal, and career goals. Feel free to connect with me for questions or even to share how your quarter has been going. In my free time I like to go on outdoor runs, watch movies, and spend time with friends and family.
Education:
B.A., Psychology, University of California, Santa Cruz
B.A., Spanish Studies, University of California, Santa Cruz
Caroline Wakaba Futamura
Academic Advisor – Merrill College
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
About Me:
An Ohio native, I followed my initial calling as a French professor (for over eleven years), teaching at Susquehanna University, Bennington College, Saint Anselm College, Georgetown University, and the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center (DLIFLC). I later switched to the role of a Senior Academic Specialist at the DLIFLC to support students with acquiring skills and strategies to be successful learners. The culmination of my experiences as a professor, an advisor, and an academic specialist has brought me to UCSC, where I currently serve as a Merrill College Advisor. Dedicated to getting to know my students’ dreams and unique identities, I enjoy working closely with them in order to provide tailored and holistic mentoring as they pursue their personal, social, academic, and/or professional endeavors to ultimately become autonomous lifelong learners and global citizens. In my free time, I love to sketch, explore California’s coastline and redwood forests, take road trips, and spend time with family.
Education:
Ph.D., French Studies, Rice University
M.A., French, Middlebury College
A.B., Biology and French, Bowdoin College
Beth Truax Armstrong
Academic Advisor – Crown College
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
About Me:
I have my B.A. and M.A.Ed. from Western Kentucky University. and I loved my university experience so much I never wanted to leave! I want students to embrace every opportunity they have during their time as an undergraduate student; whether that’s attending campus events, participating in a club, learning all they can in their classes, studying abroad, or even just enjoying the beauty of campus. My job as an advisor is to assist students in realizing these moments and resources. I want to equip students with the knowledge and excitement to take charge of their education and future. When I’m not helping students, I am likely in local shops or trying all the new Taco Bell menu items. Oh and it’s pronounced “True-Ax.” 🙂
Renee Russo
Academic Advisor – Crown College
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
About Me:
Hi, my name is Renee and I am a Crown College Academic Advisor. I grew up in Los Angeles, and moved to Santa Cruz to attend college at UCSC. I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology, and received my Master’s Degree in Counseling from San Jose State University. As an alumna, I am excited for the opportunity to support you in navigating your own higher education journey, and empowering you during this transformative time of your life. When I’m not working, you can find me at a local concert, at the beach, cooking a meal for a friend, or hiking around in the forest. I look forward to meeting you!
Kristyn Crouse DeWindt
Academic Advisor – Crown College
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
About Me:
Hi Friends! I’m Kristyn. I’m a college academic advisor at Crown and Porter Colleges. I grew up in Florida and have been on the West Coast since 2008. I loved college; I was the managing editor of the student newspaper and a resident assistant in the dorms. I earned my BA from Portland State University, majoring in Communication Studies with a minor in Civic Leadership and I just completed my MS in Academic Advising. I’m dedicated to helping students bravely dream about their future and take intentional steps to reach their goals.
I’ve been an academic advisor at UCSC since 2017. I love my job and its a privilege getting to see students from orientation day through to graduation day. College brings lots of exciting (and terrifying) challenges. But, that’s what your college advisors are here for – to cheer you on when things go well, and help pick you up with things get tough.
When I’m not helping students, you can find me in a yoga class, organizing my life in my hobonichi planner, or getting tacos from my favorite taco truck.
Emilia Cline Arellano
EOP STEM Counselor
About Me:
My name is Emilia Cline Arellano and I serve as one of the EOP STEM Counselors & Academic Success Coach. My goal is to collaborate with students and empower them to pave their pathway to success. My counseling style focuses on the intersectionality of a student’s experience and use of that experience to identify the unique strengths that all students possess. A little about me, I was a first generation college student and a former EOP student. I received my B.A. at UC Santa Cruz in Sociology with a minor in Education. After working for several years at the Santa Cruz County Medical Society, I went back to school and received my M.A. in Education with a focus in K-12 and College Counseling from the University of Redlands. I have been working with students across California in a variety of different settings from teaching nutrition education in K-12 schools to serving as a School Counselor to support mental wellness
Not sure where to start?
Send us a quick email with your name and student ID, and let us know you’d like help. We’ll guide you from there.