Andrea Guggenbickler, Jim Fadel and Kiara Cuevas are recipients of this year’s Eleanor and Harry Walker Advising Award. The award supports and recognizes excellence in peer, staff and faculty advising in the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

“Please join me in congratulating these very deserving individuals,” said Susan Ebeler, associate dean for Undergraduate Academic Programs. “Unfortunately, we’ve had to postpone the Celebration of Advising Reception until later in the summer or fall. We will have much to celebrate at that time and look forward to recognizing their accomplishments, as well as all of those in our college advising community.”

Andrea Guggenbickler is a staff major advisor for the global disease biology major. Her dedication to student welfare and the innovative orientation materials she prepared for new student orientation this year were noted by the review committee. She also has actively worked to update an Aggie Connections program for students in the major to ensure that they have the information and resources needed to meet requirements and expectations.

Jim Fadel is the faculty master advisor for the animal science and management major. He can always be counted on to enthusiastically participate in numerous student activities such as new student orientation and “Decision Day,” when admitted students have an opportunity to learn more about the college and see if UC Davis is a good fit for them. Student nominators applaud how he boosted their self-confidence and encouraged their academic and career goals in exciting and unexpected ways.

Kiara Cuevas is a peer advisor in the Animal Science Advising Center. She has created innovative ways to improve advising support for students in the agricultural and environmental education major, including planning social events, developing a Facebook group and creating a lending library for students in the program. She also developed self-care workshops for other peer advisors in her department.

Harry O. Walker, a highly regarded professor in the Department of Land, Air and Water Resources for more than 40 years, was a strong advocate for undergraduate advising and also served as a master advisor himself. Through their generosity and commitment, Eleanor and Harry Walker created the award to celebrate excellence and innovation in academic advising because of the important role it plays in helping students succeed.