Meet our mentors
Advisor-to-advisor connections are a vital part of learning, growth, and fostering a sense of belonging. The Academic Advising Mentoring Program (AAMP) offers a supportive community where advisors can connect, share experiences, and grow professionally. Our mentors are valuable resources, and we encourage you to build relationships that enhance your advising practice and contribute to your overall well-being as an academic advisor at UC Davis.
Mentor matching opens at the start of each academic year (typically in September). If you’ve found this page after that time, don’t worry—there are still ways to get involved! Feel free to reach out to the AAMP co-chairs. If a mentor has capacity and your goals and interests align, we’ll do our best to arrange a match.
Jordan Dade
Advising Programs Manager
BFTV Cluster
Born and raised in Southern California, Jordan earned her BS in Advertising from Pepperdine and a master’s in Academic Advising from Kansas State. Now Advising Programs Manager for the BFTV cluster at UC Davis, she supports several departments and coordinates the Food Science Graduate Group. A global award-winning advisor, she loves dogs, Disney, sourdough, ATVs, and lifelong learning.
BA in Advertising, Pepperdine University; MS in Academic Advising, Kansas State University
Kelli Sholer
Academic Advisor
Sociology and Anthropology
A proud UC Davis alum, Kelli has been an undergraduate advisor for 17 years, first in Design and now with Anthropology and Sociology students. Passionate about helping students connect their interests and goals, she also developed and teaches a 2-unit career development course. Outside of work, she enjoys Broadway musicals, exploring Sacramento’s food scene, and traveling with her family.
B.S. in Managerial Economics (UC Davis), M.S. in Counseling with Career Counseling Specialization (Sac State)
Ashley Pelham
Academic Advisor
College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences
As a proud first-gen college grad from California’s Central Valley, Ashley dedicated much of her career to advising STEM students, especially in Computer Science and Engineering. Deeply committed to her campus community, she has served on Staff Assembly since 2023, including as Chair. A mom of three, she loves traveling whenever possible and helping students find their path.
BA - Psychology from CSU Fresno, M.Ed - College Counseling and Student Development, NC State
Kelly Torbet
Academic Advisor and Peer Supervisor
Yellow Cluster Advising
Kelly is an Undergraduate Academic Advisor for Yellow Cluster Advising, supporting students in Psychology, Cognitive Science, Philosophy, and Science & Technology Studies, while also leading the peer advising team. With a master’s in Counseling from CSU Sacramento specializing in Career Counseling, she brings nearly a decade of experience in higher education, behavioral health, and social services.
MS in Counseling (Career Counseling Concentration), CSU Sacramento 2020 | BA in Psychology BA in Communication, UC Davis 2017
Maria Saldaña
Academic Advisor
Agricultural and Resource Economics
Maria Saldaña, Academic Advisor in Managerial Economics, brings over 25 years of experience across UC Davis departments. A proud Mexican native who grew up in South Central LA and Delano, CA, she earned her BA in Spanish and an MA in Higher Education Leadership. Deeply involved in campus and community service, she mentors students, leads faith programs, and uplifts underrepresented communities.
BA from UC Davis & MA from CSU Sacramento
Maria's advising philosophy
Lauren Wong
Academic Achievement Counselor / LEADR Program Advisor
LEADR, College of Engineering
Lauren serves as the LEADR Program Advisor in the College of Engineering at UC Davis. Her passion for student success began as an academic peer advisor for Sociology. Before joining Engineering, she worked in advising and program management roles across Undergraduate Education and Letters and Science.
BA in Sociology, BA in Psychology (UC Davis)