The Advising Executive Workgroup (AEW) was charged by Provost Mary Croughan in January 2024 to enhance and improve undergraduate student advising at UC Davis. In addition to establishing the AEW, Provost Croughan invested $2.3 million, coupled with $570,000 from the college deans, to hire 24 new advisors and advising staff to boost student success and equitable outcomes. AEW members work to ensure that advising efforts across the campus are strategic and interconnected, and that students receive outstanding advising services regardless of their major.
AEW’s Charge
- Understand the state of advising campus-wide
- Identify opportunities for structural and systemic improvements
- Collaboratively set the direction for the future of advising at UC Davis
- Recommend technological enhancements that may require further investment
Members
- Michael Bradford, Vice Provost and Dean, Undergraduate Education
- Erika Jackson, Director, Institutional Analysis
- Ari Kelman, Faculty Advisor to the Chancellor and Provost
- Malisa Lee, Vice Provost, Enrollment Management
- Pablo Reguerín, Vice Chancellor, Student Affairs
- Mark Winey, Dean, College of Biological Sciences
* Serving college dean will rotate every two years
Report on Academic Advising
In February 2025, the Advising Executive Workgroup welcomed NACADA to conduct a campuswide review of undergraduate advising and provide guidance and recommendations. More than 150 faculty and staff met with NACADA during a two-day visit.
NACADA, based at Kansas State University, was established in 1979 and promotes and supports quality academic advising in institutions of higher education to enhance the educational development of students.
Key questions the AEW asked NACADA to address:
- What is the current state of advising at UC Davis?
- What opportunities exist to improve the student advising experience and its impact?
- To what extent does a culture of collaboration exist within the advising community?
- What structural systems can be implemented to provide students with the information they need to make degree progress?
- How can we better leverage technology to support advisors and students?
- What strategies can enhance advisor training and development?
Next steps: The campus advising community is invited to review the report from NACADA and share with AEW what you believe are the most impactful actions UC Davis could take to further student success. Please submit your feedback online by May 30, 2025.