Academic Services
Peer Advisors @ the Graduate Student Resource Center
UC Santa Barbara graduate students, both current and prospective, can take advantage of the services provided by the experienced graduate student peer advisors.
These positions are housed in the Graduate Division, and although they take different approaches and address different audiences, they also work together to provide a comprehensive series of services for the graduate community.
These unique positions exist in order to ensure a rewarding and high quality graduate school experience. They complement one another in that they each promote graduate student success.
Graduate Student Resource Center (GSRC)
1215 Student Resource Building
T: 805.893.8994
Academic Peer
Joel Thurston
academicpeer@graddiv.ucsb.edu
In his sixth-year as a graduate student in the Psychology department researching social psychology with a focus on the perception of groups, Joel can proudly say that only 11 U.S. presidents have served longer terms. Originally from Homer City, an rural town in Pennsylvania that is ironically neither a city (it's a borough) nor much of a "home" (population 1,844), Joel smartly placed himself on the map when he attended the University of Pittsburgh, majoring in Psychology and Business. Much like the Greek poet Homer, this academic peer advisor truly understands how to navigate the epic journey that is graduate school, coordinating workshops and information sessions on a variety of topics designed to help incoming and current graduate students write and file successful theses and dissertations, find post-doc opportunities, and deal with a multitude of case-by-case academic-related issues. So for any bumps in your academic career path, for any advice on staying on-track, or to simply talk ninjas, Pirates, or Steelers, shoot Joel an email.
Diversity Peers
Brianna Aguilar
diversitypeer@graddiv.ucsb.edu
Brianna Aguilar is a first year graduate student in Education with an emphasis in Cultural Perspectives. She was born and raised in Santa Barbara, received her B.A. from UC Berkeley in Social Welfare and her M.A. in Education with a concentration in Cross-Cultural Counseling from San Diego State University. Her research interests include college preparation and support programs for underrepresented communities and transfer support for community college students.
April E. Harris
diversitypeer@graddiv.ucsb.edu
April E. Harris, M.A. is a second year graduate student pursuing her Ph.D. in Education with an emphasis in Cultural Perspectives. Her research interest is: The Academic and Social Experience of African American Girls in Independent Schools. April serves as a counselor and mentor for African American girls in Inglewood, California, where she strives to increase the advancement and academic success of inner city youth. Her short term goals are to become a university professor and dean. Ultimately, April plans to serve as an impactful member in the U.S. Department of Education.
Funding Peer
Thai Chu
fundingpeer@graddiv.ucsb.edu
Thai Chu is a third-year graduate student in the Psychology department, studies social psychology with a focus on East Asian cultures. He is originally from the Bay Area and obtained his undergraduate degree from the University of California, Irvine in Psychology and Social Behavior. Thai served as a funding mentor last year coordinating workshops and information sessions on a variety of topics designed to help incoming and current graduate students secure grants and fellowships. Don't hesistate to email him whether you have an international conference to attend that's crucial for your professional development, a project that requires nearly and arm and a leg to fund, a professor who hasn't applied for a grant since stamps were 27 cents, or just need some extra money to get through your graduate career.