Meet Your Academic Advisor
First-Year Academic Advising
During your first year at Biola, an academic advisor will be your primary connection point for your academic transition. Our advisors serve students based on what school they are in (schools are a larger unit at the university often containing many majors, such as the School of Science, Technology and Health).
In your first year, you will connect with your academic advisor to receive important information about the registration and degree requirements at Biola. From your advisor, you can also receive academic support and learn planning tools to make the most of the resources around you.
Note: Students in Nursing, Accounting/Business and Education majors will be advised by their academic program and will not meet with the Advising Center for first-year advising.
After your first year, your primary advisor will shift from an Advising Center advisor to a faculty member within your major, and they will be your main resource for academic advising.
The following academic advising appointment types are available for first-year students:
- General Advising (e.g., transfer credit questions, placement exam advising, GPA calculation, general academic success, etc.)
- Major/Minor Changes - Peer Academic Advising
- Registration Appointment
- Military Benefit Academic Plan (building an academic plan for military benefit requirements)
- Exploring Study Abroad Programs
- Student Athlete Support (e.g., eligibility, GPA recovery)
- First-Year Seminar - Peer Academic Advising
Academic Advisors in the Advising Center
Cristal Carrillo
Talbot School of Theology (Bible, Theology and Ministry) and the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (English, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Sociology, Spanish, Undeclared)
Jonathan Hernandez
School of Cinema and Media Arts (Cinema & Media Arts, Writing for TV & Film, Game Design & Interactive Media)
Jamie Sommerville
School of Science, Technology and Health - Division of Health (Communication Sciences & Disorders, Kinesiology, Public Health)
Annie Tolkamp
School of Fine Arts and Communication (Music, Theatre, Art, Communication Studies, Journalism & Integrated Media, Public Relations & Strategic Communication)
Veronica Cruz-Schwerin
veronica.cruz.schwerin@biola.edu
School of Science, Technology and Health - Division of Science & Technology (Biochemistry, Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Computer Science, Engineering Physics, Health Sciences, Mathematics, Physics, Physical Science); Athletes
Matthew Roberts
Rosemead School of Psychology, Cook School of Intercultural Studies, Undeclared
Peer Academic Advisors
Our Peer Academic Advisors (PAA's) are here to provide you with accurate academic advising information to help you achieve your academic goals at Biola. These trained student leaders coach fellow students in major/minor advising, class registration, and other academic requirements (e.g. filling out a Graduation Petition).
Department Academic Advisors
Students in Nursing, Accounting/Business, and Education majors will be advised by their academic program and will not meet with the Advising Center for required advising. Torrey Honors College students have additional advising support provided by their program. Refer to the list below for the program advisor’s contact information.
Raeann Lopez
School of Science, Technology and Health: Nursing
Allison Walton
Crowell School of Business (Accounting, Business Administration)
Melinda Soto
School of Education (Early Childhood, Liberal Studies: Elementary Education, Liberal Studies: Multidisciplinary)
Mackenzie Ahmadinia
School of Education (Early Childhood, Liberal Studies: Elementary Education, Liberal Studies: Multidisciplinary; Credential Specialist)
Advisors for Second Year and Beyond Students
Continuing students transition from their Advising Center advisor to a faculty member during their second year at Biola. At the start of your second year, your new advisor’s name will appear on your Degree Audit and their contact information can be found on biola.edu/directory. The Advising Center will continue to offer limited advising support primarily through our Peer Academic Advisors during the academic year (juniors and seniors trained in advising).
The following advising services are available for continuing students:
- General Advising (e.g., general academic success, how to use advising/registration tools, course selection, transfer credit questions, placement exam advising, etc.) - Peer Academic Advising
- Major/Minor Changes - Peer Academic Advising
- Course Registration - Peer Academic Advising
- Graduation Petition Support (how to fill out the form) - Peer Academic Advising
- Exploring Study Abroad Programs (learn more about Study Abroad)
- Student Athlete Support (e.g., eligibility, GPA recovery)