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Britt Andreatta (Frosh/First-Year & Graduate Students)
Hi there! My name is Britt Andreatta and I am the Assistant Dean of Students, overseeing First-Year, Graduate, and Instructional Programs at UCSB. My duties include teaching UCSB's University Success Courses (ED 10 & ED 20 for freshmen and ED 118 for transfers), supporting all new students in their transition to UCSB, and working with graduate students on the successful completion of their advanced degrees. Teaching is one of my favorite things to do and each year, I teach ED 10, ED 20, ED 118, ED 120 and ED 173. I also wrote the book Navigating the Research University: A Guide for First-Year Students and I work as a consultant to other college and universities across North America.
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 a cat named Tuscany, and a beta fish, Aquaman. For fun, I like to hang out with my good friends, read, watch movies, surf/bodyboard, and eat pretty much any dessert on the planet.
Katya Armistead (Second-Year Students)
Hello! My name is Katya Armistead. As the director of the Office of Student Life and assistant dean of students I have the wonderful opportunity to work closely with students, especially student leaders. I work closely with registered campus organizations and students involved with campus activities. I come from the Office of Admissions where I worked for 17 years as the assistant director overseeing the Visitor Center.
I am an UCSB alumna with a degree in sociology and I have a Master's in Education with an emphasis in College Student Affairs. I am currently working on my doctorate degree here at UCSB in the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education. As a member of the UCSB community I have been a discussion leader for ED 20 (University Success Course), I have participated in New Student Convocation, I work with Intercollegiate Athletics as am a member of the Gender and Diversity Training committee, and I am currently the Black Student Union Advisor. I look forward to meeting lots of new students this year.
I have two children who keep me busy outside of campus and I play soccer in a local woman's soccer league.
Miles Ashlock (Frosh/First-Year Students)
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 here. As associate director for leadership development in the Office of Student Life, I work to manage many of the leadership development programs offered in Student Affairs. 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 am joining the ranks of first-year students at UCSB again this year; I'm studying for a Master's and Ph.D. in education at the Gevirtz Graduate School of Education here at UCSB. I am very open to conversation and would love to share more about my college experience with you—more importantly, I would like to hear about how your college experience is going.
My friends and family are spread about the globe now, so I enjoy traveling to visit them, or just to venture to a new place and explore. Outside of work and school, I enjoy spending time with my partner and friends, hanging out with our dog, eating at all of the great restaurants in Santa Barbara and doing home improvement projects around the house.
Lindsay Cahn (Graduate Students)
Hi! My name is Lindsay Cahn, and I am an academic advisor for the Graduate Division. I have worked with graduate students at UCSB for 6 years now, three years at the Graduate Division, two years in the English Department and one year in Materials. I was also an intern at the UCSB Career center for a year. I came to Santa Barbara from UC Santa Cruz (go banana slugs!) with a BA in Environmental Studies, and I have an MA in Psychology (career counseling) from Antioch University.
I am happy to help answer questions about all aspects of graduate student life, but my specialty at the Graduate Division is helping grad students file their dissertations and theses. I am always happy to participate in one of the happiest days of a grad student’s time at UCSB, the day they finish the degree!!
On weekdays you’ll find me commuting to work on the 24X bus and most Wednesdays I'll be playing Pub Quiz at Old King’s Road (come by and say hi!). On weekends I like to hike with my boyfriend and our dog Winston, either up in the Santa Barbara canyons or along the treacherous State Street sidewalks to Yogurtland.
Gina Gonzales (New Transfers)
Hello! My name is Gina Gonzales and I am one of the transfer student mentors. I am also an UCSB alumna with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and a minor in History. Currently, I work in the Office of Admissions as the Visitor Center Manager and Coordinator of the Campus Visit Program. Additionally, I am the Co-President of the UCSB Professional Women’s Association as well as advisor for the UCSB chapters of the National Society of Collegiate Scholars and Gamma Zeta Alpha Fraternity, Inc. Previously, I have been involved in the Educational Opportunity Program's Summer Transitional Enrichment Program (STEP) as a Transitions Course Instructor as well as a discussion leader for both the freshman success course (ED 20) and the transfer success course (ED 118). In my time away from campus, I enjoy spending time with my husband Tony in addition to playing soccer, softball and bowling in recreational leagues.
Joseph Mazares (New Transfers)
Bio coming soon.
Miguel Moran-Lanier (Third-Year Students)
Bio coming soon.
Claudia Nicastro Batty (Third-Year Students)
Ciao! My name is Claudia Nicastro Batty; I have worked in the field of education since 1975 working in varying capacities as an Educator, Sign Language Interpreter, ASL instructor, Disabilities Specialist, Coordinator of Deaf Services and Special Programs for Students with Learning Disabilities.
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 have been a member of the Disabled Students Program staff at UCSB since 1993 working as a Disabilities Specialist and Coordinator of Deaf Services. In addition to being a Resource Team Member, I am Advisor to Project Eye to Eye and Co-Chair of SIOP (Student-Initiated Outreach Programs).
I am looking forward to working with third-year students and hope to meet many of you soon. I enjoy long beach walks, knitting, gardening, reading, traveling and spending time with my human and canine family.
Suzanne Perkin (New Transfers)
Hello, my name is Suzanne Perkin, and I am the Associate Director of Orientation Programs and Parent Services 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! In 2001, 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. In previous years I led the transfer discussion section of ED 20 (Introducing the University) and also co-led ED 118 (The Transfer Student Experience), a course reserved for and centered around transfer students. I have a husband, Andrew, and a beautiful daughter Keira, who keep me busy! We love living in Santa Barbara and taking advantage of all of the outdoor adventures here!
Molly Steen (Seniors)
Hi there! I’m Molly Steen and I have worked as a career counselor in Career Services since 1999. Like several other Resource Team members, I 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.
Mia Vela (Seniors)
Hello! I am Mia Vela, both a project manager for the Office of Student Life and a proud owner of the best dog in the world, Lucy. I have worked on this beautiful campus for over 17 years. A few of the departments I previously worked at include the Office of the Registrar, Associated Students, Parking and Transportation Services and the Financial Aid Office. I finally found my niche here at OSL; by far this is the best job I have held. I look forward to my days here mainly because there is rarely a quiet moment for me. We all work very hard to make your experience here at UCSB the happiest and healthiest. You can find me on the second floor of the SRB, so stop by and say hello. Remember we work for you!
My hobbies include running (is eating a hobby?), hiking, biking, riding on a Harley Road King, and just hanging out with the best dog in the world, Lucy. GO GAUCHOS!
Andrea Wells (Second-Year Students)
Hello! My name is Andrea Wells and I am one of the second-year advisors. I am a recent UCSB Alum with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Global Studies and a minor in Education. I am currently the student affairs manager 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 (ED 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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