People

B.S. Psychology, Stetson University
M.S. Dual Masters in Mental Health Counseling & Marriage and Family Therapy, Barry University
Ph.D. Clinical Psychology, Pacifica Graduate Institute

In the 2015-2016 academic year, Dr. Beaufort developed and launched the Undergraduate Mentorship Program (UMP), a peer-to-peer mentorship program to help first-year students succeed. The mission of UMP has been to create supportive one-to-one mentoring relationships for first-year students to improve retention, foster student success, and help build an increased sense of belonging. Dr. Beaufort’s mentorship approach incorporates self-awareness and mindfulness activities, providing a framework for students to develop their emotional intelligence.

In addition to her academic work, Dr. Beaufort is a licensed mental health counselor and depth psychologist. Depth psychology focuses on uncovering deeper unconscious motives to alleviate painful psychological symptoms by cultivating greater self-awareness and meaning in life. When coaching, she uses an integrated depth and existential approach that incorporates emotional intelligence, mindfulness, and mind/body wellness to guide people towards a more meaningful and purpose-driven life. Dr. Beaufort has experience developing mentorship, coaching, and wellness programs. She also specializes in the treatment of eating disorders and physiognomy.

Bachelor of Arts in English; UC Santa Barbara

Advising Specialties:

• International Students
• EOP

Q: Why did you become an Academic Advisor?

"As a first-gen student from a low-income background, I struggled greatly during my time as an undergrad. After graduating, I wanted to continue helping others, and I hoped that my own experience navigating the university could be of some value to other students. As an advisor, I strive to provide students with the tools needed to build a strong foundation for their undergraduate career, and to serve as a point of contact for any other resources students may need."

Bachelor of Arts in Communication; UC Santa Barbara

MS in Counseling and Guidance; Cal State San Bernardino 

Advising Specialties:

• International Students
• Lead for Advising Systems & Special Enrollments

What is one thing you wish more students knew about advising?

"I wish more student knew that we are not a scary place, all of the advisors are very friendly and we all want to help students have the best possible experience at UCSB!"

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Spanish; UC Santa Barbara

Advising Specialties:

• International Students
• EOP Students

Q: Why did you get involved in academic advising?

"I participated in the Summer Transitional Enrichment Program offered by EOP during the summer of 1995 in which I gained valuable experience and insights that helped me throughout my UCSB college experience. I was born and raised in Santa Barbara and can often be seen running around campus."

Bachelor of Science in Family & Human Service; University of Oregon (Eugene, Or.)

Masters of Science in Educational Leadershp/Higher Education; University of Oregon (Eugene, Or.)

Q: Why did you become an Academic Advisor?

"I started working with university students as a track & field coach. Now as an academic advisor, I still get the opportunity to “coach” students through life’s challenges. I have the opportunity to provide the tools and encouragement students need to overcome adversity and accomplish their goals. There’s nothing better than to help young adults realize their own potential to succeed!"

Bachelor of Arts in Global Studeis and French; UC Santa Barbara

Q: What is is your favorite part about being an Academic Advisor?

"My favorite part about being an advisor is learning about what brings students to UCSB, and what they want to accomplish here. I love hearing about the moments of discovery of a new passion, or finding an unexpected next step. College is rarely what we expect it to be, and that's why we're here to help!"

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology; UC Santa Barbara

Advising Specialties:

• At Promise Team

Why did you get involved in academic advising? 

"As a student who was on the cusp of academic dismissal several times during my undergrad at UC Santa Barbara, I know what it is like to struggle and not feel heard. My goal is to be the person I needed as a student, and I hope I can be that for my students. I enjoy working on solutions for students and knowing that what I do makes their time here less stressful is a reward in and of itself."

Diablo Valley College, Allan Hancock College, Santa Barbara City College

Bachelor of Arts in Geography; UC Santa Barbara

What is your Advising Specialties?

"I've done many different things during my 23 years working at UCSB, but now, I call myself a general advisor who can work with any undergrad. If I don't know the answer to your question, I know where you can get it! Oh, also, I designed the B.A. in Geography with a GIS emphasis because that's what I did when I was an undergrad here before it existed. I just thought that students who spent that much time in the computer lab deserved a little extra pat on the back--the GIS emphasis."

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology; UC Santa Barbara

MS in Counseling and College Student Personnel, California Lutheran University (Thousand Oaks)

Advising Specialties:

• At Promise Team
• Scholar Retention Program
• EOP Students
• Peer Advisor Supervisor

Why did you get involved in academic advising?

"I wanted to be able to provide the academic guidance and support that I needed when I was an undergrad. Going through college was difficult at times for me and to be able to be that support system for other students is rewarding and something I'm passionate about. Advising is more to me than just helping students graduate, it's building connections and helping them have the best college experience."

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology; UC Santa Barbara

Advising Specialties:

• At Promise Team
• Scholar Retention Program
• Undergraduate Mentorship Program

Q: What is one thing you wish more students knew about advising?

"I wish more students knew that academic advisors are friendly and love to help! If your parents attended the Spanish Orientation presentations in the summer, it's likely I met with them! I especially enjoy working with first-generation college students as I was also first gen."

Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Bachlor of Arts in Biological Anthopology & Anatomy with Minor in Primatology; Duke Univesiity (North Carolina)

Masters of Arts in Applied Anthropology and Masters of Science in Medical Anthropology; Boston University

Advising Specialty:

• At Promise Team

Bachelor of Science in Humanistic Studies-Language & Literature; University of Wisconsin (Green Bay, WI)

M.A. Ph.D in American Studies; University of Minnesota

Advising Specialties:

• Director of Advising Operations

What is your favorite part of being an advisor? 

"Each year, a new crop of students come filled with energy and vitality. I love sharing their journeys."

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & Philosophy; UC Santa Barbara

Advising Specialties:

• Intercollegiate Athletics
• 5-Year BS/MS Programs
• ROTC

Q: Why did you get into academic advising?

"After graduating from UCSB, I went to work in the private sector for several years in sales and management. While I enjoyed that initial career, I missed higher-level education and ultimately decided to come back and work at the university. I now feel that I have found my calling in academic advising, and I greatly appreciate that all of my work goes directly towards helping others. College advisors care a lot about students' wellbeing and success, and we want to assist however we can. Undergraduate education can be a tricky path to navigate, and I hope that students know that they do not have to do it alone."

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology; UC Berkeley

Master of Arts in Higher Education, Administration, & Leadership; UC Santa Barbara

Doctoral Candidate in Education; UC Santa Barbara

Advising Speciality:

• NCAA Athletics

What is your favorite part about being an academic advisor?

"The on-campus connections and relationships I cultivated with other students and staff/faculty served as an anchor during my undergraduate studies. I now look forward to being that source of support for our student-athletes! Go, Gauchos!"

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology; Cal State Northridge

MS in Sociology; Cal State Northridge

Advising Specialties:

• Director of Student-Athlete Services
• Intercollegiate Athletics

Q: What is one thing you wish more students knew about advising?

"My hope is that students learn that advisors are fountains of knowledge and can be a starting point of contact if a student is unsure of where to turn. We are intertwined with the many vast parts of campus and therefore can skillfully refer students to resources/other offices on campus. Our doors are open for conversations and inquiries unrelated to 'academics'."

Bachelor of Arts in Film & Media Studeies and History; UC Santa Barbara

Advising Specialties:

• Intercollegiate Athletics

Why did you get involved as an academic advisor at UCSB?

"I'm fascinated by the stories we have to tell and how they define us, so I naturally gravitated to advising as my long term career goal. It is also extremely rewarding to be a small piece of the puzzle in terms of helping and advising our students and it is something I remind myself of very often."

Bachelor of Arts in Psychology; UC Berkeley

Advising Specialties:

• Transfer Student Advising
• Undocumented Student Academic Advising 

Bachelor of Arts in Sociology; UC Santa Barbara

Masters of Science in Counseling Psychology; California Lutheran University (Thousand Oaks)

Advising Specialties:

• Transfer Students
• "Non-Traditional" Students
• Veterans

What is your favorite part about being an academic advisor at UCSB?

"My favorite part of being a transfer advisor is helping transfer students make the most of their time here at UCSB. We have a lot of diverse opportunities that students can really help explore their personal, academic and career goals. Transfer students don't always think they have the time or opportunities that four year students do, but that is not true. They have to be a little more organized but can still do everything they want to at UCSB and I love motivating them to try something new and get out of their comfort zone."

Orange Coast College

Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology; UC Santa Barbara

Masters of Arts in GGSE Education; UC Santa Barbara

PhD in GGSA Education; UC Santa Barbara

Advising Specialties:

• Pre-Law Advisor
• Educational Opportunity Program Liaison
• Non-traditional Student Resouce Center Liaison
• Post-graduation prep

Q: Why did you become an Academic Advisor?

"I became an academic advisor because I had a desire to help students at various stages of their academic journey and with all their academic needs. I realized that, in addition to needing to gain exposure to a variety of academic opportunities, sometimes students experience difficulties. And as much as these difficulties could affect their personal circumstances, there are ways to assist them so their academics are not affected while connecting them to a variety of support resources. Additionally, over the years, as life has become more competitive, I realized students could greatly benefit from post-graduation transition prep; the things that students can do, while managing academic and other personal responsibilities, to explore and develop a strong foundation to catapult forward after graduation, rather than feeling lost at commencement wondering what the next step may be. In all that I do, I want to assist students in getting where they want to go... and perhaps assist them in figuring out where and what that might be along the way."

Bachelor of Arts in Communication and BA in Language, Culture & Society; UC Santa Barbara

Advising Specialties:

• Undeclared & Transitions Advising Program

Dave earned his BS from Clemson University, his Masters from the University of Alaska Anchorage, and his MBA from Pepperdine University. Before joining the UCSB academic advising staff, Dave was on faculty at the U.S. Air Force Academy in Colorado. A native of northern New Jersey, he is a lifelong fan of the New York Mets, New York Giants, and Bruce Springsteen.

"As competitive as the pre-health journey is, I'm always heartened by the idealism, selflessness, and collaborative spirit of these super-smart students. Y'all are an inspiration!"

Bachelor of Arts in Women's Studeis and Studio Art; Hamilton College (Clinton, NY)

Master of Art & PhD in Chicanx Studies with an emphasis in Feminist Studies; UC Santa Barbara

Advising Specialties:

• Honors Students

Q: What is your favorite part of being an academic advisor?

"My favorite part of being an academic advisor is the conversations I have with students when we get to go more in depth about their academic and personal passions, values, and life goals. I find these connections really engaging. I am also a solution-oriented person, so it is also gratifying to be able to help students successfully navigate the bureaucracy of an institution as big as UCSB."

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Global Studies and French; UC Santa Barbara

"My favorite part about being an advisor is learning about what brings students to UCSB, and what they want to accomplish here. I love hearing about the moments of discovery of a new passion or finding an unexpected next step. College is rarely what we expect it to be, and that's why we're here to help!"

Michael Miller is Dean of Undergraduate Education in the College of Letters & Science, Associate Vice Chancellor for Undergraduate Education at UC Santa Barbara, and Professor in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences.

Dr. Miller received his BA in Psychology from San Francisco State University in 1994. He then began his doctoral training in Neuroscience at the University of California, Davis where he won the Achievement Award for College Scientists. After joining the lab of Dr. Michael Gazzaniga, he transferred to Dartmouth College, where he received his Ph.D. in Cognitive Neuroscience in 1998. In 1999, he became an assistant professor at the Department of Psychological & Brain sciences at the University of Massachusetts Boston. In 2002, he joined the faculty at UCSB. His publications studying the cognitive neuroscience of human memory, decision-making, and individual differences have utilized various techniques including functional magnetic resonance imaging, transcranial magnetic stimulation, patient testing, and signal detection analysis.