Meet Your Academic Advisors

Advisor Andi Peeters

Andi Peeters, Ph.D.

Director of Undergraduate Advising
Advising Generalist

Hello! I joined the Baskin Advising team in January of 2021 as director of undergraduate advising. In my role, I lead the Advising team in all efforts and work closely with senior administration on long-range planning, overall department management, and also advise students. Prior to coming to UCSC, I served in a variety of roles including dean of students, director of student success, admissions counselor, adjunct faculty, and as a high school guidance counselor. I am a first-generation college student and received my Ph.D. from Capella University in Higher Education Leadership, my Master’s Degree from Loyola Marymount in Counseling, and my Bachelor’s Degree from Washington State University in Communications. When not serving students, you can find me walking the beach, hitting the gym, or reading. I look forward to working with you all!

Contact Andi at apeeters@ucsc.edu

Advisor Monique Vairo

Monique Vairo

Assistant Director of Undergraduate Advising
Advising Generalist

Hi!  I am the assistant director of undergraduate advising. I am in charge of the day to day operations of the Advising Office, and work closely with the academic advisors and also the faculty in the School of Engineering who support undergraduate students. I started working in the Advising Office as a Department Advisor in Fall of 1997, which was the same year that the Baskin School of Engineering was established.  Prior to working at UCSC, I worked all over Santa Cruz County as a K-12 teacher. I received my teaching credential from San Jose State University, and Bachelor’s Degree from UCSC in American Studies.  Some of my interests outside of work are walking/hiking with my dog Sally, practicing yoga, and enjoying time with family and friends. 

Contact Monique at mivairo@ucsc.edu

Advisor Andrea

Andrea Legg

Lead Academic Advisor
Computer Science

I have been with the Baskin School of Engineering since October 2005, and joined the Advising team in June 2006. As an undergraduate advisor, my first and foremost role is to advise students. I get excited about guiding students in exploring the options available to them and empowering them to take ownership of their education and future to achieve their goals! In addition, I also act as a liaison to the Computer Science and Engineering faculty for the Computer Science major, and manage the School of Engineering peer advisors. I am a first generation college graduate and an alumna of UC Santa Cruz, and loved my experience so much that I wanted to stay and help future students love it too! As a UCSC student, I was affiliated with Crown College and graduated with a degree in Psychology and Education. When I am not spending time supporting students, I enjoy movies and doing anything that involves taking in the beauty of Santa Cruz.

Contact Andra at pinky13@ucsc.edu

Advisor Young Kim

Young Kim, M.S.

Lead Transfer Advisor
Computer Science: Game Design and Transfer Students

Hola, Slug Nation! I have had the wonderful opportunity of working with engineering students at the Baskin School of Engineering, UC Santa Cruz since 2004. I currently serve current students as an academic advisor. Additionally, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to engage with prospective students and applicants on a regular basis.  I am in constant awe of the meaningful life and world changing research and education that our faculty and students are engaging in the field of engineering.  My past role includes working for Teacher College — Graduate School of Education, Health and Psychology, Columbia University in the City of New York, and at a congressional office at Capitol Hill, in Washington DC. In my free time, I follow Manchester United, Lakers, and Angels sports teams.  I am a huge fan of Costco pizzas, energy drinks, and frequent late-night visits to taquerias and street taco vendors at 2:00 a.m.

Hometown:
Koreatown (K-Town)/Pico Union, Los Angeles, California
Anaheim, California

Education:

  • M.A., Higher and Postsecondary Education, Columbia University, New York
  • M.A., Political Science, California State University, Fullerton
  • B.A., History, Political Science, California State University, Fullerton
  • A.A., Orange Coast College, Costa Mesa, California

Favorite quote or saying:
4ver Young

Contact Young at youngk@ucsc.edu

Advisor Greta Hull

Greta Hull

Academic Advisor
Biomolecular Engineering, Biotechnology, Technology & Information Management

Hi! I’ve been an academic advisor in the Baskin School of Engineering for four years. I currently work with the Applied Mathematics department, the Biomolecular Engineering department, the Technology and Information Management department, and advise on the first year Baskin Engineering proposed major status policy. I graduated from UC Santa Cruz with a degree in Bioengineering. I was born and raised in San Francisco but enjoy now living in the Santa Cruz area.

Contact Greta at ghull@ucsc.edu

Advisor Todd Hicks

Todd Hicks, M.P.A.

Academic Advisor
Electrical Engineering, Robotics Engineering, Applied Math, Statistics Minor

I joined the team in 2021 and look forward to assisting you in achieving your academic goals. Although I will be the point person for Electrical  Engineering, Robotics, and Applied Math majors, I am excited to support students across all of the Baskin Engineering programs.

I am fascinated by different cultures, and I have lived in four regions of the US. My most enjoyable travels have been with Habitat for Humanity’s Global Village program, and the two years spent in the Peace Corps. Along the way I earned a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Northern Colorado, M.P.A. from the University of Wyoming, and a Certificate in College Admission and Career Planning from UC Berkeley. When not working with students, I enjoy time in the mountains with my partner and our dog, building community, and cooking.

Contact Todd at toahicks@ucsc.edu

Advisor Crissy Diaz

Crissy Diaz, M.A.

Academic Advisor
Computer Engineering, Network & Digital Technology

Hey y’all! I’m very excited to join UCSC and Baskin Engineering as an undergraduate advisor! My passion for working with students started back in my own undergraduate days, and I can’t wait to continue that experience as I support and work with you here! I’m passionate about expanding access to higher education and helping folks connect to many different resources during their educational journey and, ultimately, achieve their goals. 


I graduated from UC San Diego with a bachelor’s degree in communications and political science and received my master’s degree in higher education from Santa Clara University. I’ve worked in Silicon Valley for over 15 years in tech and higher education roles. I’ve had the great opportunity to help folks take the next step in their career journey, advised Stanford engineering students, and worked with new and continuing students across many different colleges over the years. I love spending time at the beach with my family and our dog, baking with my daughter, and searching for all the good pizza and tacos places that I can find in Santa Cruz since moving here a few years ago. 

Contact Crissy at crrdiaz@ucsc.edu

Advisor Dianne Brumbach

Dianne Brumbach, M.A.

Academic Advisor
Computer Engineering, Network & Digital Technology

Hi everyone! As one of the newest members of the Baskin Engineering Advising team, I am looking forward to helping students find all the information they need to complete their major requirements on time and prepare for the career of their dreams. I’ve been at UCSC for about 14 years and just recently worked in the MCD Biology Department, where I was able to help thousands of students understand and meet their major requirements. I also spent many years in the UCSC Office of Admissions where I presented admission information to prospective students and their families and helped them navigate the application process for both frosh and transfer applicants. I am a graduate of Cleveland State University (B.A., human communications) and San Jose State University (M.A. speech communication). I love hiking, yoga, kayaking, and most anything outdoors in Santa Cruz! I am also active in local community events, festivals, and performances. As an avid commuter cyclist, I can be seen riding my neon-leopard-print fur-covered e-bike named Bucephalus!

Contact Dianne at dbrumbac@ucsc.edu

Advisor Javier Andrade

Javier Andrade, M.A.

Academic Advisor
Computer Science

Hello, Slugs! I am honored and excited to be part of the Baskin School of Engineering family here at UCSC. I am truly passionate about assisting students with their educational goals. I grew up in Watsonville, CA, and attended Sacramento State University, where I earned a bachelor’s degree in social science. I also attended Brandman University, where I earned a master’s degree in educational leadership. Before moving to this position, I was a pre-college counselor at Cal State Monterey Bay, where I had the privilege of working with ten of the neighboring high schools. Prior to that, I worked as a high school counselor and a financial aid outreach coordinator. On a personal note, I love sports, especially basketball and football, and I am a huge Lakers and 49ers fan. I also enjoy the outdoors and all sorts of pop culture. I truly look forward to meeting and working with you in the near future. Please let me know if you have any questions as I am here to help.

Contact Javier at andradej@ucsc.edu

Advisor Solange Ramirez

Solange Ramirez, M.A.

First-Year Success Advisor
Advising Generalist

Hello! In summer 2022, I joined our wonderful Baskin Engineering team as an assistant undergraduate advisor. Prior to working at UCSC, I grew up in Fairfield, CA, before receiving my bachelor’s degree in linguistics with a minor in deaf education from San Jose State University (Go Spartans!) and a master’s Degree in teaching with my teaching credential from Santa Clara University. After working as a K-12 educator for 7+ years, I found my sense of belonging in the world of education and social justice. As a first generation college graduate myself, I am thrilled to be here in higher education as a support for you all. When I am not working with students, you can find me painting, salsa dancing, and making fresh pasta by hand!

Contact Solange at sosramir@ucsc.edu

Advisor Jessica

Jessica Hilger, M.Ed.

Undergraduate Advisor
Computer Science

Hi! My name is Jessica Hilger, and I am excited to be part of the Baskin Engineering Undergraduate Advising team. I grew up in Santa Cruz and I am so happy to be working at UCSC. I strive to ensure students are on track with their degree, are able to advocate for themselves and their education, and have the resources available to them to thrive.

Before UCSC, I worked at Santa Clara University as a Peer Advisor while earning my undergraduate degree. I received a bachelor’s degree in ethnic studies and communication there. I had the opportunity to move to Nashville, Tennessee shortly after and attend Vanderbilt University where I received my M.Ed. After graduation, I was a Student Support Advisor at DeVry University. Advising students is something I take a lot of pride in and feel is extremely valuable to the undergraduate experience. When I am not working, I enjoy listening to live music, reading, being outside in beautiful Santa Cruz, and cheering on Bay Area sports teams.

Contact Jessica at jhilger@ucsc.edu

Advisor Andrea

Andrea Wood, M.S.

Undergraduate Advisor
Computer Science

Hello, Students!

I am thrilled to be one of the newest members of the Baskin Engineering team! I am here to provide support to our Computer Science B.S. and B.A. majors. My role involves being well-versed in all of our majors and assisting in drop-in advising. As a first-generation student, I am passionate about helping students achieve success in their academic journeys. My educational background includes a B.S. degree in recreation and leisure studies with a focus on tourism and commercial recreation, which I earned at San Jose State University. Additionally, I hold an M.S. degree in psychology, specializing in forensic psychology, from Grand Canyon University.

One of my strongest passions lies in advocating for autism awareness and child privacy on the internet. Outside of work, I am an avid consumer of podcasts and documentaries, and I love learning about the world of aviation. In my spare time, you will likely find me enjoying quality time with my family while fishing, tending to my garden, working on a puzzle, and volunteering as a youth soccer coach. I am looking forward to supporting you throughout your academic journey while helping you thrive! Feel free to reach out whenever you need assistance or guidance.

Contact Andrea asnyderw@ucsc.edu

Advisor Joelle

Joelle Brown

Undergraduate Advisor
Advising Generalist

Hello Slugs!

I am excited to be working with the Undergraduate Advising team supporting all majors as an advising generalist to our engineering students. I will work closely with the other advisors and departments and will serve as a general resource for students in all majors.

I earned my B.A. in education, democracy, and justice from UC Santa Cruz (Porter College) and am currently working on my M.A. in counseling and guidance at San Jose State University. I love spending time with my two daughters and being on the softball field any chance I get. I am a huge football fan (Go Raiders) as well as a huge Harry Potter fan. As a first-generation student, I am passionate about helping students through the difficult transition to college and supporting them through their academic journey.

Please come by and share your Hogwarts house! I look forward to working with you all.

Contact Joelle at jbrown49@ucsc.edu

Last modified: Mar 05, 2024