Facilitator Biographies
Kate Andrup Stephensen, she/her/hers
UC Davis University Honors Program and First-Year Seminars
Kate Andrup Stephensen is Associate Director for First-Year Seminars (interim) and the University Honors Program third & fourth-year advisor. Kate has a B.A. in history from Northwestern University and an M.Ed. in Curriculum & Instruction from the University of Virginia. She started her professional career as a teacher before moving into advising at the University of Virginia where she helped start the athletic department's student-athlete leadership development programming. Fun fact – Kate served on the Northwestern University Student Athlete Advisory Committee when the group initiated national conversations about student-athlete unionization. That dialogue resulted in a Supreme Court case and helped prompt the national dialogue about student-athlete “pay for play".
Mitch Austin, he/him/his
Mitch has been a student of self-development tools and principles for over 20 years. He is currently in the Holmes Institute Spiritual Leadership and Consciousness studies. Mitch’s greatest passion is supporting others to deepen their relationship with themselves and humanity at large. He is the creator and teacher of two popular courses: Rise & Speak and Taming Your Inner Critic. Mitch speaks regularly in the Sacramento region and has a successful life coaching practice.
Kimberly Bellows, she/her/hers
UC Davis Global Learning Hub
Kimberly works at UC Davis in the Global Learning Hub as an Intercultural Programs Coordinator, where she creates, collaborates on, and delivers programming that helps students make connections and see the world through a globally aware lens. Prior to joining UC Davis, she coordinated faculty-led study abroad programs at another public university, developed programming for a peace and reconciliation centre in Northern Ireland, and served on the staff of a member of the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington, DC. She’s a graduate of UC Davis with a BA in International Relations and has a MA in International Education Management from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. Fun fact: she can eat an entire jar of pickles in one sitting!
Cayley Chan, she/her they/them
UC Davis Undergraduate Student - 4th year, Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning and Political Science – Public Service
Cayley Chan is a 4th year Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning and Political Science - Public Service double major. She is one of the Student Advisors to the Chancellor and currently serves as the President of Prytanean Women's Honor Society. She previously worked as an Involvement Mentor at the Center for Student Involvement where she encouraged students to grow their leadership through student involvement and has pursued her interest in developing programs aimed at uplifting and empowering students of color in their leadership endeavors. This is her third year presenting at the Aggies Leading the Way conference. Fun fact, Cayley and Jessica (her co-facilitator for the ‘Britney's free, now what...' session) have been best friends for 13 years. They are excited to share space with the community.
Ashley Christensen, she/her/hers
UC Davis Undergraduate Student – 4th year, Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Center for Student Involvement
Ashley Christensen is an Involvement Mentor with The Center for Student Involvement. Her main goal is to help students find resources and opportunities on campus so that they can best tailor their own college experience. Along with working at CSI, Ashley is also an undergraduate student at UC Davis. Currently, she is a senior majoring in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a minor in neuroscience. In the future, she would like to enter the medical field as a surgeon. A fun fact about Ashley is that she loves to craft and learn new things! As of now, she is learning the ukulele and how to origami!
Jessica Cuenco, she/they
UC Davis Undergraduate Student - 5th year, Mathematical Analytics and Operations Research and Economics
Jessica Cuenco is a 5th year undergraduate student pursuing double majors in Mathematical Analytics and Operations Research and Economic, with a minor in Education. Within the field of education, Jessica is interested in multicultural and restorative education which has been the backbone of her scholarly activities. She is currently assisting with her second research project that uses statistical data to narrativize the experiences of students from underrepresented communities from an ethnic studies perspective. Jessica is also a McNair Scholar, NASPA Undergraduate Fellow, and former Bulosan Center’s Education and Retention intern. This is Jessica’s first year presenting at the Aggies Leading the Way conference.
Allysa De Vera, she/her/hers
UC Davis Undergraduate Student - 3rd Year Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior
Filipinx Association for Health Careers, First Year Aggie Connections Peer Mentor, Aggie Public Health Ambassador
Allysa De Vera is a current third year undergraduate student at UC Davis majoring in Neurobiology, Physiology, and Behavior along with pursuing a psychology minor. Interested in working with children, Allysa's field of interest in neurodevelopmental behavior and disabilities in children with disabilities such as Autsim Spectrum Disorder and ADHD. Allysa hopes to become a pediatrician or child life specialist to study and work with children with disabilities to study more about environmental factors contributing to brain development and spread awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorder. In her free time Allysa loves to thrift for clothes and accessories along with spending time with her cat.
Dr. Kristin Dees, she/her/hers
UC Davis Center for Student Involvement
Dr. Kristin Dees (ED.D.) is currently the Director of the Center for Student Involvement at the University of California Davis. Kristin received her Doctorate of Education conducting her dissertation on first-generation student leadership development. She has 16 years of experience in college student transition, student organization advising, leadership development, community service, risk management, event planning, and responding to freedom of expression incidents. Kristin is a certified Gallup Strengths trainer and has been doing strength training and development since 2008.
Moira Delgado, she/her/hers
UC Davis Internship and Career Center
With over 25 years in higher education and non-profit work, Moira has experience teaching intercultural communication and social justice and co-creating programs that collaborate with underserved students and communities. While at UC Davis, she managed a pre-law program for first generation college students at King Hall, the UCD School of Law, conducted workshops on preventing sexual harassment, and developed a peer mentorship program for international students. At her previous position at a health science college, she created a service-learning program focusing on social justice issues in health care, taught courses to prepare students for community service with non-profit organizations and schools, and developed partnerships. Moira is grateful to the students and community members for sharing their stories, which has made her a better mentor, advisor, teacher, and human being. Outside of work, Moira loves spending time with her three sons and sometimes embarrasses them with her love for dancing.
Lynn Fowler, she/her/hers
UC Davis Internship and Career Center
Lynn is a Senior Career Advisor and a proud alumni of UC Davis who holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology. She also attended Bowling Green State University in Ohio, where she received a Masters of Arts in College Student Personnel, with an emphasis in counseling. She has had a varied career in higher education and K-12 education. She has held a variety of advising and administrative positions at UC Davis- from Quarter Abroad to the Residential Education Office, to Leading Roles/leadership development. Lynn is thrilled to help students to clarify their career goals and to support students in their career development. She especially enjoys connecting students and employers, the process of career exploration including clarifying strengths, and developing the tools to gain employment. In her spare time she is passionate about mindfulness and is a yoga instructor.
Dr. Helen Frasier, she/her/hers
Assistant Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education
Accreditation Liaison Officer & Chief of Staff
Dr. Frasier is responsible for broad oversight of the academic programs centrally administered through Undergraduate Education. She manages strategic decision efforts in collaboration with the undergraduate Associate Deans of the four colleges, Student Affairs, the Offices of the Chancellor & Provost, and the UC Office of the President. She also provides principal counsel to the Vice Provost & Dean to conceptualize and implement initiatives that advance and support undergraduate academic experiences. Within Undergraduate Education, she works directly with four academic and administrative teams: the Center for Leadership Learning, Academic Advising Enrichment, Communications, and Business Operations. Dr. Frasier actively serves the campus on various initiatives and working groups, such as the Aggie Launch Collective, Aggie Orientation, and the Diversity & Inclusion Executive Leadership Team, to support a students-first culture at UC Davis. Dr. Frasier’s academic research focuses on institutional barriers to degree completion, attrition, and time to degree. She is an accomplished violinist, with performances including symphonic, soundtrack, and solo appearances. Dr. Frasier received her Ph.D. in Higher Education Leadership and Policy from the University of Maryland, College Park. She holds an Ed.M. in College Student Services Administration from Oregon State University, and a B.A. in Music (violin and voice) from the University of Puget Sound.
Jesús Gonzáles Cruz, he/him/his
UC Davis Undergraduate Student – 4th year, English & Sociology
UC Davis Center for Leadership Learning
Jesús González Cruz is a senior studying English and Sociology at UC Davis. In addition, he is pursuing a Thesis Project in order to graduate with Honors in the English department. Jesús is going on his second year with the Center for Leadership Learning, first by participating in the Student Leadership Development Program and then interning as a Peer Educator. In addition to his work with the CLL, Jesús is also Co-President of both the Environmental Club at UC Davis and the Book Club at UC Davis. In his free time, Jesús likes holding communal dinners with his friends, reading an not-at-all-excessive amount of manhwa, lifting weights, and plotting World Domination.
Susana Lopez
UC Davis Undergraduate Student - 5th year, Sociology - Organizational Studies
UC Davis Center for Leadership Learning
Susana Lopez is a third year transfer student originally from Los Angeles studying Sociology - Org Studies with an emphasis in Social Welfare at UC Davis. In addition to being a full-time student, Susana is a Shift Supervisor at Starbucks, where she has been a partner for six years. When she's not making your favorite latte, Susana enjoys Ballet Folklorico and has been dancing for over a decade.
Mike Lorenzen, Ed.D., he/him/his
UC Davis Associate Athletic Director
Mike Lorenzen has a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations from Maryland, a Masters in International Finance and Management from Yale, and a Doctorate in Higher Ed Admin and Leadership from Pacific. After more than two decades of coaching artistic women's gymnastics at the Olympic and NCAA levels, he has spent the last decade working in athletic administration as a subject matter expert in leadership development and team dynamics. Mike’s ongoing research, writing, and consulting work are focused on a cross-disciplinary approach to human behavior at both individual and group levels. He spends his time with partner Lina, dogs (Bessie, Bennie, and Kiwi), and #vanlife.
Jennie Moylan, she/her/hers
UC Davis Global Learning Hub
Chancellor May recognized Jennie Moylan with the Staff Excellence Award, for promoting inclusiveness and a deep understanding and respect for the diversity of cultures, values and beliefs that make up our international university in her First Year Aggie Connection “Spoken World Storytelling” workshops. Jennie brings nine years of experience to advising students who want to have a global learning experience at UC Davis, such as study abroad, internships, and the Global Studies Minor. Jennie earned an interdisciplinary degree in “Intercultural Healing” from UNC, Chapel Hill and took that book learning to practical application as a health volunteer in Peace Corps, Togo, West Africa.
Ashley Murillo Delgado, she/her/hers
UC Davis Alumna, 2020
Ashley Murillo was raised in Riverbank, CA a small town in rural California. She is a recent first-generation UC Davis graduate with a Bachelors' in Psychology. Through her college years she discovered that she wanted to become a therapist to help the underserved communities in Northern California. She now has a full-time job helping adults with mental illnesses in a mental health facility.
Christie Navarro, M.A., she/her/hers
UC Davis Center for Leadership Learning
Christie Navarro serves as the Director of the Center for Leadership Learning (CLL) at the University of California, Davis. She has been a part of the UC Davis community for 16 years, with 15 of those years leading the CLL. Prior to her tenure at UC Davis, Christie served as the California state representative for the college admission testing organization ACT, as a regional outreach coordinator for UC Merced Early Academic Outreach Program, and as a case manager for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Tulare County. Christie earned her Bachelor of Science in Psychology and Master of Arts in Higher Educational Leadership from California State University, Sacramento. As a leadership educator, Christie infuses identity development, inclusivity, and social justice and change into her teachings and is passionate about supporting students on their leadership journey.
Jose Samano Catalan, he/him/his
UC Davis Undergraduate Student – 4th year, Psychology and Cognitive Science
Center for Student Involvement
Jose Arturo Samano Catalan works for the Center for Student Involvement (CSI) as an Involvement Mentor. His goal as an Involvement Mentor is to help students find a sense of belonging on campus by connecting with them and helping them find their community. Along with working for the CSI, Jose is an undergraduate research assistant at the Laboratory for Neural Mechanisms of Attention studying under Dr. George R. Mangun. He is a fourth year undergraduate student double majoring in Psychology and Cognitive Science while concurrently pursuing a minor in Education. His future plans consist of obtaining a Ph.D. in Neuroscience to ultimately become a research scientist and run his own research laboratory. Jose hopes to conduct experiments that can help mitigate, reduce, or eradicate mental health disorder symptoms to alleviate and reduce pharmaceutical medical treatment options. A fun fact about Jose is that he is extremely curious and actively pursues his curiosity.
Emma Singletary, she/her/hers
UC Davis Internship and Career Center
Emma Singletary is currently a Career Advisor Intern at the Internship and Career Center! She is in her final (fingers crossed!) semester at Sac State where she is earning her Master's degree in (Career) Counseling. Although passionate about career development, counseling, and all things mental health, she actually received her undergraduate degree in History with a minor in English, which gives her a great perspective for counseling. She believes her background in History has helped give her a very holistic outlook on life and career development, and our connections between the two... But in another life, she thinks she would have gone on to get a PhD in History, where she would have wanted to study the history of Witchcraft!
Janice Tse, she/her/hers
UC Davis Global Learning Hub
Janice Tse is an Intercultural Programs Coordinator with the Global Learning Hub, a part of UC Davis Global Affairs. She graduated with a Masters in Higher Education Administration from the University of Michigan, and received her B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, double-majoring in Asian Studies and Peace, War, and Defense. Her work at UC Davis involves creating programming for students with a concentration on global and intercultural learning and engagement. In her free time she enjoys travelling, and has currently been to 20 countries, including living and working abroad for 3 years in Ethiopia and China.
Brandon Vernoy
UC Davis Undergraduate Student – 5th year, Biological Psychology
UC Davis Center for Leadership Learning
Brandon Vernoy is a fifth year studying biological psychology at UC Davis. In addition, he is pursuing the pre-medical route in order to apply, and (hopefully) graduate medical school as a psychiatrist. Brandon has been with the Center for Leadership Learning for over four years, starting in the programming with the Student Leadership Development Program and then interning, first as a Peer Leader, then a Peer Educator and now is going on his second year as a data coordinator. Aside from the CLL, Brandon conducts research in the field of chemistry education under Dr. Ozcan Gulacar where he analyzes complex data and aids in writing academic papers. In the approximately two hours of free time he gets per day, Brandon loves to lift weights and go on multi-mile runs or learn to cook a new food.