Meet Your Advising Team
Kristi Weddige
Director of Bailey College of Science and Mathematics Student Services; Academic and Pre-Health Professions Advisor
Top 10 Clifton Strengths
Achiever, Empathy, Focus, Harmony, Developer, Responsibility, Maximizer, Self-Assurance, Woo, Individualization
Advising Philosophy
My goal as your advisor is to establish an authentic connection with you based on mutual trust and respect, that allows for open, honest, nonjudgmental, and meaningful interaction. I want you to feel safe and comfortable sharing whatever is on your mind -be it academic or personal. I will actively listen to you and your questions and concerns and communicate accurate and relevant information tailored to you and your current situation.
Advising, for me, is not simply dispensing how-to information and navigating registration software and degree requirements. Although that is an important aspect of academic advising, I also believe it can entail a collaborative and supportive partnership where we can discuss your future goals, work through problems and brainstorm solutions together that will ideally encourage you to take steps toward personal growth and self-direction.
I approach our time together from a holistic and solution-focused framework. I will ask questions that I hope will appropriately support, challenge you when needed, and ultimately empower you to set goals for yourself so that you can achieve what you desire on your educational path.
I strongly believe in your ability to be a capable, competent, and resilient individual who possesses the skills to be successful in earning your college degree and moving forward with your career aspirations. I look forward to partnering with you over the next few years on your personal educational journey!
Camille O'Bryant, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Student Success, Welfare and Issues of Diversity and Inclusion;
Professor of Kinesiology and Public Health
Top 5 Clifton Strengths
Includer, Connectedness, Arranger, Developer, Positivity
Advising Philosophy
My late Uncle John O’Bryant (former Vice President for Student Affairs at Northeastern University) always said, “If you are not here [higher education] to serve the students, you are in the wrong place." This statement serves as the foundation for my philosophy of advising. The notion of service is a key component in how I approach my advising role. However, this does not mean that I am the only person doing any “work” in the advising relationship. My philosophy of advising is and always will be student-centered. This means that the choices or recommendations I make while advising students must explicitly relate to their needs, hopes, goals, and aspirations. My ultimate goal as an educator and advisor is to serve as a facilitator of student learning and to empower students to gain more self-determination and self-confidence in their quest to earn a college degree. When I meet with students for advising appointments, one of my first questions is, “How can I help you?" Then my next question tends to be something like, “What information do you already know about your current academic progress?" Then I work with the student to figure out important next “steps” and try to finish up the appointment with tasks that the student is able to carry out on their own. What is really important to me is that students know they can always return with additional questions and updates as needed. Placing the students’ interests, fears, questions, hopes, and desires at the center of the advising relationship enables me to figure out the best options to offer them in response to their questions or needs. This approach also enables me to help students set SMART goals in preparation for their next steps or appointment. I value the opportunity to meet students where they are and truly enjoy helping guide them along their journey through college.
Annastatius Olson
Top 5 Clifton Strengths
Relator, Responsibility, Individualization, Learner, Futuristic
Advising Philosophy
My aim as an advisor is to understand students’ unique stories and how their experiences are shaping those stories. As Jean-Luc Godard said, “A story should have a beginning, a middle, and an end, but not necessarily in that order”. Students can be at any point in their story, and it is my responsibility to determine where that student is at and how I can best support them given that place. I will uncover students’ values, interests, personality, and strengths and utilize this knowledge to guide them along their academic and professional development journey.
The idea that students matter, and their stories matter is foundational to my advising beliefs. I lead my student interactions with genuine curiosity, radical empathy, and positive regard for who they are and how they are shaping their story. For students to believe they matter, it is imperative that I ground myself in servant leadership. I focus on the growth and well-being of the students I serve so they feel heard, valued, and seen in my advising space. I have students' best interests in mind and will always try to support them. In turn, students should be active participants in these sessions, with a commitment to understanding themselves and their goals. Together, we’ll shape their story.
Anya Bergman
Top 5 Clifton Strengths
Top 5 Clifton StrengthsDeveloper, Empathy, Harmony, Restorative, Connectedness
Advising Philosophy
I view my academic advisor role as that of an educator, a coach, a mentor and as a supporter. The framework of my partnership with students is built upon respect, honesty, genuine friendliness, being nonjudgmental and informed about the students, the college and the university that I serve. My approach is holistically supportive with unconditional positive regard and is action-oriented. I work to support the entire student, not just what I can see or hear them saying. I anticipate the needs and assistance that a student might not know to ask for or is hesitant to mention. I also employ a challenge and support style - challenging students to take control of and be accountable for their educational, personal and career decisions and supporting them along the way, through information, providing appropriate tools, check-ins and praise.
I treat each student as a unique individual with a unique set of circumstances and needs. Taking the time to connect with each student helps me better understand them as a person and their academic and professional goals – which in turn, gives me information to better support them. I see the potential and progress in each of my students. Through challenging them to evaluate whether their current actions are in sync with their aspirations, we work to set goals to help them experience personal, educational and/or professional success. Each time we meet, I look for and acknowledge growth that has taken place and goals that have been met. Then encouraging the student to look for new goals to be set. I believe this method encourages students to be empowered by their mini-successes en route to achieving their bigger life goals, while regularly reevaluating where they want to “go” and what they can do to “get there”.
Laura Wilson
Top 5 Clifton Strengths
Top 5 Clifton StrengthsRelator, Strategic, Futuristic, Achiever, Maximizer
Advising Philosophy
My goal as an advisor is to create a relationship with a foundation built on trust and safety, one where students feel comfortable being open, honest, and accountable. I believe in a holistic approach that honors and respects all areas of a person’s life. We are individuals with unique views, perspectives, and beliefs. I will challenge you to understand yourself completely, to set attainable educational, personal, and career goals, and encourage you to celebrate your accomplishments.
My approach is positive and solution focused. It is important to assess and evaluate areas of the past that have been difficult, but it is also important to bring the information we have gained through our experiences and apply our knowledge to future situations. When we engage in a process together, I will openly bring awareness to areas that need attention, and areas of existing strength. I ask questions such as, “What do you think was different about this situation,” to find opportunities. When looking toward the future with understanding, hope, inspiration, and vision, anything is possible.
As a resource, I keep myself informed of campus policies and procedures. I am honest, and will provide and seek accurate answers, and I will encourage you to do the same. I will make the best recommendations I can with your goals in mind. I am your student advocate. When trusted with information regarding an area that needs attention or improvement, I will work to escalate your concerns and advocate for change.
I believe in being mindful of how our actions, words, and behaviors impact others. I use my ability to be objective to help others see situations more clearly. I will help you be responsible for your actions, your future, and for meeting your goals. I strive to be at my best, and to help others reach their best, knowing that the definition of our best will grow as we grow together. I will celebrate your achievements with you along the way. I am inspired and hope to be inspiring.
Shonna Davis
Top 5 Clifton Strengths
Developer, Positivity, Harmony, Achiever, Empathy
Advising Philosophy
As an advisor, I deeply value authenticity and view the academic journey from a holistic lens. Doing well in classes and working towards graduation is just one piece of the puzzle – there are many factors that impact one’s ability to be successful in school and these can shift quarter to quarter. Regardless of whether your quarter’s a breeze, you’re struggling through a tough season, or you’re somewhere in between, I’m here for you! I strive to cultivate a space where students can feel safe to be completely themselves and to share what’s impacting them. I take a collaborative approach with my students, working together to come up with direction and solutions that feel best for them. At the end of the day, this is your college experience – my goal is to help you feel empowered to make the choices that will be most meaningful for you.
The foundation of my advising practice is built on mutual respect and shared goals. My aim when you come to an advising session is threefold: 1) to provide clarity, 2) to provide answers and/or connect you with resources that can best support you, and 3) to leave you feeling confident you have what you need to succeed. As a former transfer student at Cal Poly, I recognize the unique challenges the curriculum brings, especially the barriers that transfer students face when navigating a new institution. While your journey is unique to you, my hope is that I can validate your experiences and provide insights to help you along the way.
In advising appointments, I’m very intentional, asking thoughtful questions to get to know you and what drives you so I can recommend tailored solutions that meet your individualized needs. While I may have knowledge of how the academic system works and different avenues you can take, ultimately you get to decide which route feels best. If you end up meeting with me, you can expect a supportive environment, direction, and a celebratory attitude for all your wins, big or small!
Ryan Lau
Top 5 Clifton Strengths
Harmony, Learner, Responsibility, Arranger, Analytical
About Me
I value academia and am delighted every day to be a member of Cal Poly’s enriching and evolving diverse community. For over a decade I have learned from and had the pleasure of assisting the students, faculty, staff, and administrators across a variety of disciplines in the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, the College of Engineering and now the Bailey College of Science and Mathematics. After completing a Master's in Educational Leadership and Administration in 2011, I joined Cal Poly's Extended Education team as a temporary hire. My curiosity and purpose aligned in that role as we were supporting community members, international and graduate students, and faculty who were seeking or sharing their passions. Deep dives into each degree discipline with accompanying research, challenging professional growth, and continuous improvement are commonplace and embraced on campus and though the academic year is cyclical, no single event, day, or moment is the same. The cyclical nature of the academic year and educational programming gives us the opportunity to collect feedback and constantly update and retool our events, workshops, and course offerings. In the Bailey College Student Services office I am blessed to be a member of our collaborative, open, professional, accessible and innovative small team.
Jana Johnstone
Top 5 Clifton StrengthsEmpathy, Harmony, Deliberative, Discipline, Context
About Me
As a recent graduate of the Bailey College of Science and Mathematics, I truly understand the challenge each student faces on their academic journey. I acknowledge that navigating through college courses can be difficult, and as a result, each student deserves undivided advice and support during this time. It is my goal to make sure each student gets the help they need in an efficient and timely manner. My previous professional experience in administrative roles and with various student-focused tools allows me to excel at this task, and effectively support the needs of both the students in the Bailey College of Science and Mathematics as well as the Academic Advisors who guide them.
