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Britt Andreatta (Freshmen & Graduate Students)
Hi there! My name is Britt Andreatta and I am the Assistant Dean of Students, overseeing First-Year Programs & Leadership Education at UCSB. My duties include teaching UCSB's University Success Courses (INT 20 for freshmen and ED 118 for transfers), supporting freshmen in their success, and coordinating several of the campus’ leadership programs including the Leadership Certificate Program, the Annual Student Leader Retreat, the Annual Student Leadership Conference, and the Annual Activities Awards. I also teach Sociology 102, Education 118, Education 120 and Education 173 (summer only)—teaching is one of my favorite things to do.
I was an undergraduate at UCSB and graduated with a double major in Communication & Sociology. However, that was after a very rocky start as a bio major and ending up on academic probation a few times. But I eventually got it together academically and eventually earned a Ph.D. in Education where I studied the factors that help first year students succeed.
My personal life includes hanging out with my husband, Chris, and our beautiful daughter, Kiana. We have 4 pets - 2 cats named Misty & Tuscany, and 2 beta fish named Aquaman and Metrosexual. I sing in a band, just learned to surf, and also like to read, watch movies, do yoga, and eat pretty much any dessert on the planet.
Katya Armistead (Sophomores)
Hello! My name is Katya Armistead. I work in the Visitor Center and I am an Assistant Director of Admissions. I have worked at the University for 15 years. I graduated from UCSB in 1988 as a sociology major, and recently completed my Master's in Education with an emphasis in College Student Affairs. I plan to be finished in May of 2005. As a member of the UCSB community I have been a discussion leader for INT 20, I have participated in New Student Convocation, and am currently the Black Student Union Advisor. I look forward to meeting lots of new students this year. Personally, I have two children who keep me busy outside of campus, I love my early morning runs, and I play soccer in a local woman's soccer league.
Miles Ashlock (Freshmen)
Welcome to UC Santa Barbara! I am excited to welcome you to my alma mater and to provide advising and mentorship throughout your first-year experience here. As the Assistant Director of First-Year Programs and Leadership Education, I am individually charged with expanding leadership development programs at UCSB and keeping our programs on the cutting edge so that students (like YOU!) enjoy and benefit from the co-curricular events we host and sponsor. All you really need to know about me professionally: I love my job and I am here to help.
I moved from San Jose, CA in the fall of 2002 to UCSB, where I completed a bachelor’s in psychology. As an undergraduate, I experienced some of the best and worst that college life has to offer. All things said and done, I met some outstanding faculty, staff, and students with whom I have shared unforgettable experiences both in and out of the classroom. I truly love UCSB and believe in the place. I do look forward to pursuing graduate study in the field of education within the next several years… but that does mean standardized tests and personal statements all over again! I am very open to conversation and would love to share more about my college experience with you, and more importantly, to hear about how your college experience is going.
My friends and family are spread about the globe at the moment, and I enjoy traveling to visit any of them, or just to venture to a new place and explore. You can see where I’ve been and where I want to go on my facebook profile. Outside of work, I enjoy going to the RecCen, cooking at home with friends, enjoying the myriad outdoor activities Santa Barbara has to offer, and reading. I definitely lead a full—balanced—life.
Carolyn Buford (Graduate Students)
Hi, my name is Carolyn Buford, and I am very excited to be one of the Student Mentors this year, working with graduate students. I am currently the advisor to the Graduate Student Association and am eager to connect graduate students to that organization as well as to general campus resources. A bit about me: I am an Associate Dean of Students, work with students on a variety of issues, and am interested in, and dedicated to, helping improve the quality of the student experience in any way that I can. I also have a focus on leadership and interact with student leaders on a variety of topics and projects. I am quite passionate about higher education and believe in building a welcoming and inclusive campus. I co-teach ED 173, an Introduction to Leadership Development, with Britt Andreatta, with whom I also coordinate the Leadership Certificate Program. I am interested in all aspects of leadership and really enjoy the opportunity to talk with students about their own leadership issues and experiences. I have received all three of my degrees from UCSB, with a B.A. in English and a M.A. and Ph. D. in Education. On the personal side, I enjoy reading, taking walks, and going to the RecCen. I also enjoy time with my husband and two daughters.
Gina Gonzales (Transfers)
Hello! My name is Gina Gonzales and I am this year's transfer student mentor. I am an alum of UCSB with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a minor in History. I currently work as an Admissions Counselor and Campus Visit Coordinator in the Visitor Center on-campus. Additionally, I am involved in the Educational Opportunity Program's Summer Transitional Enrichment Program (STEP) as a Transitions Course Instructor. I have been a discussion leader for the Introduction to the University course (INT 20). Also, I am a member of the UCSB Professional Women's Association and co-advisor for Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. In my time away from campus, I enjoy playing softball and soccer in recreational leagues.
Miguel Moran-Lanier (Juniors)
I received my undergraduate degree from UCSB. I have been a staff member with the Office of Student Life since 1999 and, as of fall 2005, I am a graduate student in the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education where my focus is on higher education issues. As part of my job, I interact with students, faculty, community members and administrators across campus. I am a resource for students when they encounter an emergency situation and they don’t know where to start to get their university affairs in order. In cases when students have a personal or medical emergency and they have to leave UCSB on short notice or they are incapacitated in some way, I can assist by facilitating any paperwork they might have to complete in order to ensure that their classes are protected, in some cases, or to help students find out what procedures may be available to them so that their academic status is not aversely affected. I am also involved in other projects such as Commencement, University Awards, Student Organization Registration, Activities Faire, a general resource of information for the campus community, and a variety of other projects that may come up in the Office of Student Life.
Claudia Nicastro Batty (Graduate Students)
Hello. My name is Claudia Nicastro Batty and I have worked in the field of education since 1975. I have been a Disabilities Specialist and Coordinator of Deaf Services in the Disabled Students Program at UCSB since 1993. I received my BA degree in education from the University of Rhode Island and my Masters in Special Education from Boston University. I also completed an Interpreter Training Program at Northeastern University. I am looking forward to working more closely with graduate students at UCSB and hope to meet many of you soon. I enjoy long walks, exercising, knitting, gardening and spending time with my husband playing Shooter Ball with my Border Collie and Karelian Bear Dog.
Suzanne Perkin (Transfer Students)
Hello, my name is Suzanne Perkin, and I am the Assistant Director of Orientation Programs here on campus. I have been at UCSB since 1994 when I began my undergraduate career, and have since stayed and worked, also in the Admissions Office. I love UCSB and all that it has to offer, and I love helping new students discover whatever it is that they will love about UCSB! Five years ago I took a leave of absence from my job to attend graduate school at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland, where I earned a master’s degree in Education with an emphasis in guidance and counseling. Since returning from grad school I have worked extensively with both prospective and current transfer students and have a special place in my heart for this population of students. Last year I led the transfer discussion section of INT 20 (Introducing the University) and this fall I will co-lead Education 197 (Principles of Higher Education and University Success), a course reserved for and centered around transfer students. In my free time I enjoy mountain biking with my husband Andrew, training for my 1st half marathon, traveling, charcoal drawing, and yoga.
Molly Steen (Seniors)
Hi there! I’m Molly Steen and I have worked as a career counselor in Career Services for the past seven years. Like several of the other mentors, I, too, am an alum of UCSB, having earned my B.A. in Sociology. I went on to get my master’s in career counseling from Cal State Northridge. Before all of that, I spent close to twenty years in the world of real estate finance and banking, so I know quite a bit about the business world. In addition to career counseling students, I teach the "retreat version" of Education 164 - an activity I find to be very fun and rewarding. I’ve also been a career counselor and instructor at Santa Barbara City College, and an instructor at Cal State Channel Islands and Antioch University. It’s not all work, work, work, though. Balance in life is important to me, so I make it a point to play, too. Playing for me means reading, cooking, digging around in the garden, body surfing, hiking in the local foothills with my husband, and hanging out with the best cat ever.
Candace Stevenson (Sophomores)
Hi! I am Candace Stevenson, have worked on campus for over 20 years. I am the Assistant to the Dean of Students as well as the Student and Parent Liaison in the Office of Student Life assisting students (and their families) through various difficulties and crises. I have taken a non-traditional route in my career, only partially completing coursework toward a sociology bachelor’s degree, with most of my training and knowledge acquired on the job. During the summer I am a presenter for Orientation Programs (one of my favorite jobs), speaking to parents about university services and their student’s first year experience. I participate in the annual New Student Convocation, commencement ceremonies, Student Affairs Student Staff Divisional meeting, and university awards. Outside of work I love to spend time with my family (husband and four grown kids), sing with the Santa Barbara Choral Society, write a little, and read a lot.
Andrea Wells (Seniors)
Hello! My name is Andrea Wells and I am one of this year's senior class mentors. I am a recent UCSB Alum with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Global Studies and a minor in Education. I am currently the Undergraduate Advisor in the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department. While a student at UCSB I was very active in Associated Students, including serving as A.S. Internal Vice President. My A.S. activities as well as leadership and education courses I have taken ignited my passion for helping others. I have been a discussion leader for the Introduction to the University course (INT 20) and am a member of the UCSB Professional Women's Association. My college journey at UCSB was very positive due to mentors, family, and friends who assisted me through paths that were sometimes bumpy. I am very appreciative of the assistance I received and hope to give back in the form of mentoring and assisting current UCSB students. I hope to meet you soon. In my time away from campus I enjoy reading, yoga, crafts, and taking long walks. I love spending time with my family and friends and volunteering at Camp Ronald McDonald for Good Times.
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