Student Advisory Board

The Student Advisory Board (SAB) provides a bridge to foster communication between students and administrators, particularly those with responsibility for education. The SAB includes ten or more undergraduate students, representing the diversity of UC Davis's student body, who meet regularly with Vice Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Education Cynthia Carter Ching. Each student represents their school and major, offering an array of experiences and skills for the board. The SAB helps host events that provide opportunities for undergraduate students to communicate with administrators. The SAB meets once a month to plan their events.

Meet the 2020-21 Team:

Co-Chairs:
  • Eyra Gutierrez-Vergara
  • Major(s): Sociology, Psychology, Communications
    Year: Senior
    E-mail: ejgutierrezv@ucdavis.edu

    What do you do on campus? What are you a part of, or are you passionate about at Davis?
    I am apart of the UC Davis Cheer & Stunt Team, as well as the Davis Athlete Ally club, and of course SAB.

    Why did you join SAB? What is your favorite part?
    I joined SAB because I felt like, for the first time on this campus, students’ opinions actually mattered and were going to be taken more seriously. My favorite part about SAB is having Dean of Undergraduate Education Carolyn as our director/advisor. Having faculty, especially Dean Carolyn, makes me feel like we’re actually being heard and that the faculty do in fact care.
  • Liliana Wilf

  • Major(s): Human Development
    Minor(s): Education and Asian American Studies
    Year: Junior
    E-mail: lewilf@ucdavis.edu

    What do you do on campus? What are you a part of, or are you passionate about at Davis
    I am very involved on campus as I am the lead program assistant for the Guardian Scholars Program. I am also the secretary for California Youth Connection and Student California Teacher Association. And lastly, I am a member of Circle K and Best Buddies.

    Why did you join SAB? What is your favorite part?
    I love having deep discussions about education with a diverse group of students who are all passionate about UC Davis. This group lets me speak my mind, I have made so many connections and I love having my voice being heard.

 

  • Joshua Ansel

  • Major: Food Science

    Year: Sophomore

    Involvement on Campus:

    I am a Peer Educator at the Center for Leadership Learning, where I facilitate leadership workshops. I am also an undergraduate research assistant in Dr. Block's lab, focusing on cultivated meat. I am also part of a Jewish-interest fraternity, and in my free time I love to exercise and cook delicious food!

    Why did you join SAB?

    I joined SAB to learn more about how the university functions at a higher level outside of my organizations and job positions. I also want to act as a voice for students I work with and share common interest in, especially pertaining to the Jewish community at Davis.

  • Annoushqa Bobde 

  • Major(s): Applied Mathematics 
    Year: Sophomore 
    E-mail: asbobde@ucdavis.edu

    What do you do on campus? What are you a part of, or are you passionate about at Davis?
    I am very passionate about student welfare and representation. Through my involvement on campus, I strive to better represent my community and work towards improving the undergraduate experience of the students. Along with SAB, I am currently involved on campus as Student Representative for the Academic Senate, External Affairs commissioner, and an undergraduate member of the Council on Student Affairs and Fees. I also served as the Exhibits Director for Picnic Day 2020.

    Why did you join SAB? 
    To better represent the international student community. I believe open dialogue about pertinent issues and concerns of the community will definitely help improve campus life.

  • Kymberley (Kym) Chu 
  • Major(s): Anthropology and International Relations 
    Year: Senior
    E-mail: kymchu@ucdavis.edu 

    What do you do on campus? What are you a part of, or are you passionate about at Davis?
    I am involved in the UC Student Association, Davis Political Review, the OEOES Research Fellowship, UCD School of Education Research, and currently writing my honors thesis for the anthropology department. My current honors thesis focuses on the different forms of political activism in decolonized places such as Malaysia and Hong Kong. I am strongly passionate about first-generation college student retention, migration, resource equity, and international political activism. In my spare time, I enjoy rock climbing, hiking, reading, and listening to podcasts on history/politics. 

    Why did you join SAB? 
    Through the culmination of living in different cultures and encountering barriers as a first-generation student, I decided to be part of the SAB. I wanted to provide my insight on academic policies and address resource inequities that affect non-traditional students (e.g. food insecurity, academic struggles). 
  • Quilvio Hernandez
  • Major(s): Mathematical Analytics and Operations Research
    Year:  Senior
    E-mail: qahernandez@ucdavis.edu
     

    Why would you want to serve?
    Progress in education doesn’t come without the voices of students. I want to bring my experiences to the discussion of how we can challenge the status quo and further improve the undergraduate experience for my fellow Aggies and Aggies of the future. 

    What issues do you feel are important for undergraduate students?
    Mental Health: I feel the stigma on mental health has been moving in the right direction over the past couple years, however it continues to be a prominent issue for undergraduate students resulting in distress, anxiety, depression, and poor academic performance.

    Student Empowerment: The greatest good any institution can do is instill confidence in its students. The benefits of confidence are numerous such as improved mental health, ability to take risks, improved leadership and more that create a positive ripple effect. Beyond instilling confidence, I believe another aspect of student empowerment is to empower them to pursue their ambitions. Many majors are stigmatized. For example, as a math major I often get “What’re you even going to do with math? You should just study computer science.” Yet, math majors are found in nearly every industry, and especially among tech companies math majors are highly valued. Career paths are almost as unique as individuals themselves, and no student should feel as though they have to follow a formulaic walk of life because of their major.

    Diversity & Inclusion: D&I is often used in terms of race, however I think the Davis community does an excellent job at creating a welcoming atmosphere for students from any racial/ethnic background to feel accepted and find a home. I believe the biggest diversity and inclusion issue that needs to be addressed is in socioeconomic terms. Students from poorer backgrounds are fighting an uphill battle. There are many great programs to help close this gap such as Avenue e, EOP, First Generation Initiative, etc., but this is not an issue we can be complacent on. Davis should continue to strive for an equal playing field among all its students. Another issue I’ve seen is regarding women in STEM, specifically the TEM terms. It’s important to ensure women feel a sense of belonging and assured they are surrounded by allies, both from students and faculty.

  • Navreet Hundal

  • Major(s): Political Science
    Year: Junior
    E-mail: nkhundal@ucdavis.edu

    What do you do on campus? What are you a part of, or are you passionate about at Davis?
    As a first generation student, addressing educational barriers and focusing on my academics is important to me. Being involved on campus as Academic Affairs Commission chair, and now SAB, allows me to continue this passion. These involvements have connected me with fellow students and communities on campus, facilitating needed discussions and actively working on bettering students’ academic opportunities.  

    Why are you joining the UE SAB?
    I joined SAB within the last few weeks of the Spring Quarter. Yet within this short time frame, was greeted into an environment which not only cared about helping students, but held a strong sense of collaboration and communication. SAB is a place where I can actively voice my personal academic experiences and opinions, while feeling valued and heard in doing so. I am excited to continue working alongside fellow board members, to better undergraduate education. 

  • Jorge Hurtado Lopez
  • Major(s): Psychology
    Year: Senior
    E-mail: jrhurtadolopez@ucdavis.edu
  • Francois-Xavier Kaeppelin

  • Major(s): Political Science
    Year: Sophomore
    E-mail: fkaeppelin@ucdavis.edu

  • Shelby Marie Salyer

  • Major: Political Science and History
    Email: smsalyer@ucdavis.edu
    Year: 4th year

    What do you do on campus? What are you a part of, or are you passionate about at Davis?

    On campus, I'm part of the Davis Political Review, an LGBTQIA+ research group, a performance group, and was the former ASUCD External Affairs Commission Chair. I'm passionate about pushing for student representation at all levels of the university and translating that representation into meaningful policy change. I'm also passionate about Title IX policy at UC Davis and resources/support for students.

    Why did you join SAB?

    I joined SAB to push for an intersectional approach to academics/academic policy at UC Davis that addresses the barriers present in undergraduate education. My favorite part of SAB is getting to hear the diverse issues and experiences that other SAB members bring to the table.

  • Julia Weidner

  • Major(s): Pharmaceutical Chemistry
    Minor(s): Education
    Year: Senior 
    E-mail: jjweidner@ucdavis.edu

    What do you do on campus? What are you a part of, or are you passionate about at Davis?
    On campus, one of my most important roles is as a peer advisor for the Department of Chemistry. Part of this role includes being on the student advisory council to the chair of the department. I love working with students, learning about their experiences, and being able to offer support in times of stress or success. I am also an undergraduate researcher for the Berben Group, which is an inorganic chemistry lab on campus, and my project focuses on redox flow batteries which contribute to storing renewable energy. 

    Why did you join SAB? What is your favorite part?
    I am joining the UE SAB because I am passionate about being an advocate for my peers and students in general. The university setting is a wonderful, yet complex organization that can sometimes overlook the needs and desires of students. I am looking forward to making sure that the instrumental voices of students are heard and changes that are being made truly benefit the undergraduate student population.