Porter & Kresge Advising
Porter & Kresge Advising Team
The Porter & Kresge 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!
Appointments
Make your appointment using the Navigate Slug Success App. Please note that you’ll only be able to see availability for appointments up to two weeks from now.
If you’re not currently enrolled, you’ll need to call us at (831)459-2273 to schedule an appointment; only active students can make appointments in the Navigate Slug Success app.
Our Location
The Porter & Kresge Advising Office is located at Porter College, in Building D, Office 104.
We are normally open Monday – Friday from 9am – 3pm when classes are in session. If we have staff out sick or need to close for any other reason, we will update the calendar below.
Our front desk phone number is (831)459-2273
Availability
Check out the calendar below to see:
- When the Porter/Kresge Advising Office (at Porter D-104) is open
- Peer Advising Support hours for quick questions about classes and resources
- When appointments with professional advisors are available (use Navigate to book an appointment)
Kresge & Porter Advisors
Sarah Shane-Vasquez
she/her/hers
Assistant Director for Colleges Advising, Porter and Kresge Colleges
I oversee the Kresge and Porter Advising Offices and advise students from their first orientation meetings to graduation. I help students navigate the University’s policies and procedures, find good answers to challenging questions, and find a sense of belonging and purpose at UCSC. I grew up in Santa Cruz and now live among the redwoods in Felton with my wife, kid, and dog.
Education:
B.A. Latin American Studies, minor Environmental Studies, University of San Francisco
M.A. Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, University of San Francisco
Casey Daubert
they/them/theirs
Senior Academic Advisor, Kresge College
Greetings Slugs! I’m Casey Daubert, the Senior College Advisor for Kresge College. I’m here to help you feel welcome, guide you through your college experience by actively listening to your goals, aspirations and at times helping you process new challenges that present themselves. Feel free to connect with me for questions on academic policy & procedures, major exploration, or to share how your quarter has been going and to just say hi! I’m proud to be working with you and I encourage you to reach out to the Kresge team when you need our assistance.
Education:
B.S. Environmental Policy & Planning, minor Geography, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
M.S. College Counseling & Student Development, Saint Cloud State University
Janelyn A. Magaña
she/her/hers
Senior Academic Advisor, Porter College
She is dedicated to helping students access accurate academic information, clarify their goals, and navigate university life, especially those who, like herself, are the first in their families to attend college. Janelyn works to remove barriers, promote access, and foster a strong sense of belonging. Her goal is to empower students to become confident, self-directed learners who make the most of the opportunities available to them.
Outside of her advising role, Janelyn enjoys listening to reggaeton, visiting national parks, and taking cycling classes.
Education: B.A. Politics, University of California, Santa Cruz
Thao Mai
she/her/hers
Academic Advisor, Kresge College
My role as academic advisor at Kresge college includes assisting students with academic planning, navigating university resources, problem-solving academic related challenges, and strategizing to optimize academic success. My aim in advising is to empower students to make thoughtful and well-informed decisions related to their educational endeavors.
Education:
B.A. Psychology, CSU Fresno
M.A. Developmental Psychology, CSU Fresno
Ph.D. in Education (Language, Literacy and Culture), UC Davis
Bob Giges
he/him/his
Academic Preceptor, Porter College
Hi, my name is Bob Giges, and I’m one of the academic preceptors at Porter College. I’m also a former UCSC transfer student with both undergraduate and graduate degrees from Santa Cruz. I’m happy to help you with any and all academic advising issues as you discover, define, and navigate your way through your UCSC journey. Stop by or make an appointment so we can talk about your potential plans.
Education:
B.A. Psychology, UCSC
M.F.A. Digital Arts and New Media, UCSC
Kristyn Crouse DeWindt
she/her/hers
Academic Advisor, Porter College
Hi, I’m Kristyn Crouse DeWindt. I’m one of the Academic Advisors at Porter College. I love advising students; it brings me joy to watch and support you through this journey. I strive to create meaningful relationships with students where they feel empowered to ask questions, face challenges, find solutions, and celebrate successes. I especially enjoy helping students find a major that leverages their strengths and unique talents to support their future goals. I’m looking forward to working with you!
Education:
A.A. Oregon Transfer (AAOT), Umpqua Community College
B.A. Communication Studies, minor Civic Leadership, Portland State University
M.S. Academic Advising, Kansas State University
Kresge & Porter Peer Advisors
Juls
she/they
Lead Peer Advisor, Porter & Kresge College
Hello! My name is Juls (she/they) and I am a 4th-year Film and Digital Media Major with a minor in History of Arts and Visual Culture. I am excited to be your lead peer advisor for this school year! In my spare time, I love baking/cooking, watching movies, knitting, and going on hikes! As a first-generation college student, I know how overwhelming and intimidating the college experience can be at first, but that’s exactly why we, as peer advisors, are here to support you! See you around!
Nickan
he/him/his
Peer Advisor, Porter & Kresge College
Hey there! My name is Nickan and I’m a third year Economics/Mathematics major from the Bay area. Some of my favorite activities include producing music, climbing outdoors, and skating. As a peer advisor, I’m here to help you navigate through your academic journey as a student, and help tackle troubles that come your way. I look forward to helping meet your goals as a Banana Slug!
Belle
she/her/hers
Peer Advisor, Porter & Kresge College
Hello! My name is Belle, and I am a 4th-year Psychology and Sociology Major with a minor in Education. Outside of peer advising, I really enjoy going to the gym, cooking, and spending time with my cat, Goose. My professional goal is to get a Master’s in Education and help all students recognize their immense potential. I believe that equitable access to education is life-saving! My goal as a peer advisor is to make sure every student leaves feeling better than when they came in. I know college can be overwhelming, but we’re here to support and guide you at any time. I hope to see you all soon!
Abril
she/her/hers
Peer Advisor, Porter & Kresge College
Hi! My name is Abril (she/her), and I’m a second-year, first-generation student majoring in Latin American & Latino Studies and Politics. I’m passionate about educational equity, community advocacy, and helping students feel confident navigating campus life. In my free time,I love baking, hiking, and watching sitcoms. As a Peer Advisor, I’m excited to support fellow Slugs by making resources more accessible, answering questions, and creating a welcoming space for all students. Looking forward to meeting you, don’t hesitate to reach out!
Morgan
she/her/hers
Peer Advisor, Porter & Kresge College
Hi!! My name is Morgan (she/her) and I am a sophomore psychology & cognitive science major. Outside of academics, I have a passion for creating art, fashion, and exploring the outdoors. As a peer advisor, my goal is to foster a welcoming environment and provide guidance from a familiar student perspective! I am here to help you resolve your concerns big and small, so don’t be afraid to put them forward 🙂 Go slugs!
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.