College Faculty & Staff Directory

Matt O’Hara
Interim Provost, Cowell College

Matt O’Hara is interim provost of Cowell College and provost of Stevenson College, as well as a professor of history at UC Santa Cruz. A faculty member since 2006, he has served as chair of the Department of History and twice as Faculty Director of Undergraduate Honors. His leadership reflects a strong commitment to undergraduate education and student success.

O’Hara’s scholarship explores Mexican political culture, religion, and the history of time, with books published by Duke and Yale University Press. His forthcoming work examines twentieth-century Amazonian exploration, botany, and U.S. pharmaceutical development.

Susana Ruiz
Associate Provost, Managing Director of the Eloise Pickard Smith Gallery

I’m an Associate Professor in the Film + Digital Media Department. I’m a media artist, game/experience designer, educator, and curator.

LeAnna Willis
Associate Director, College Student Life (AD)

Howdy Slugs! As the Associate Director, College Student Life, I work collaboratively with the Coordinators for Residential Education, Housing Coordinator, Housing Office Manager, and various offices on campus to assist in the development and organization of housing assignments, student conduct, student programs, safety and security of all of you, and much more. I am always available to respond to any questions or concerns you may have, so please don’t hesitate to email me.

Alice Folkins
College Academic Manager (CAM)

The College Academic Manager serves as the project manager of the Provost office. I help manage student-based projects such as the Smith Society. I also serve as a bridge between students and the faculty who teach for Cowell Core Course and Cowell Enhancement Courses.

Gustavo Nolazco
Assistant to the Senior Director, College Student Life

As the Assistant to the Senior Director, College Student Life, I provide administrative support to the Senior Director, College Student Life for both Cowell and Stevenson Colleges. I am located in the Cowell Academic Building, First Floor. I look forward to speaking with you on the phone, or drop in and say hello.

Marie Yoo
Lead Academic Preceptor

As a preceptor, I assist students with general academic planning; help interpret administrative policies and procedures; direct students to resources and opportunities available on campus; assist with making appropriate educational choices and decisions; counsel students on academic issues and monitor academic progress; conduct informational sessions.  I also work collaboratively with various units on campus to support student success.

Xavier Hilton
Academic Adviser

Hello! My name is Xavier Hilton, and I am an Academic Advisor for Cowell College. I am here to assist students with navigating University policies and procedures, academic planning, as well as directing students to resources on campus.

I’m a born and raised Santa Cruzean, attending and graduating from UCSC with a BA in History. I have a passion for education, having worked in local K-12 schools as a teacher and coach.

Peter Blackman
Academic Adviser

I enjoy supporting students as they explore and pursue their interests. I take a collaborative approach and emphasize creative problem-solving, self-reliance, and long-range planning. I like to get to know students well and establish long-term working relationships with them. I have worked in higher education as an academic advisor, administrator, and faculty. Prior to coming to UCSC in 2020, I worked at numerous colleges, including the College of Santa Fe, the San Francisco Art Institute, and UC Berkeley as an Academic Advisor in Media Studies.

Jed Milroy
Housing Coordinator

The Residential Life staff supports the creation of a healthy and fun living/learning environment. They coordinate Cowell’s housing and residential life program as well as judicial issues for all Cowell students.

Gabriela Alaniz
Residential Life & Housing Office Coordinator

The Residential Life staff supports the creation of a healthy and fun living/learning environment. They coordinate Cowell’s housing and residential life program as well as judicial issues for all Cowell students.

Santos
Assistant Director for Residential Education

As the Assistant Director for Residential Education (ADRE), I work most closely with the Coordinator for Residential Education (CRE) and the Resident Assistant (RA) teams to foster an inclusive, fun, and engaging living environment for Cowell College and Stevenson College. My primary role is to provide space for those that I work alongside to be seen, feel heard, and move our colleges toward a brighter future. My office can be found in the Cowell / Stevenson College Housing Office just below the Dining Hall.

Ramón Ayala
Coordinator for Conduct & Education

Hi, y’all, my name is Ramón Ayala (he/him) and I was born and raised in Napa, California. I am a proud UCSC alumni, class of 2020, where I received my Bachelors of Arts in Literature with a minor in Sociology. I am currently finishing my Masters degree in Higher Education and Student Affairs at the University of San Francisco. Over the years, I’ve found a passion for social justice education, disability studies, campus programming, and residential curriculum. Outside of work, I love spending time with my dog, collecting vintage items, going on really long runs, DJing and cooking!

Stacey Faulk
Coordinator of Residential Education

I am responsible for supervising all aspects of Residential Life at Stevenson & Cowell. I provide direct support services for the apartments.  Ramón and I coordinate the training and selection of your Resident Advisers, adjudicate student conduct cases, and provide educational, multicultural, and social opportunities for students. We also have a responsibility for counseling, advising, conflict management, and on-call responsibilities. Stop by the Residential Life and Housing office under the Cowell/Stevenson Dining Hall to get support and assistance for all residential life issues.

Myrian Luis
Coordinator for Conduct and Education (CCE)

I am an Indigenous Zapotec Woman having roots in Salinas, California. I grew up in a traditional agrarian family from Oaxaca, Mexico.  I graduated from UCSC (Class of 2000) with a BA in US History and continued my education at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, where I graduated with a Masters in Education. I am responsible for adjudicating student conduct cases, and providing on and off campus resources.  I am also the Hearing Coordinator for Conduct and Title IX hearings.  If you have any questions about the conduct process feel free to meet with me.

Paola Lopez
College Program Coordinator

Hello, Slugs! As the Cowell College Program Coordinator I am involved in all college-wide programming including Welcome Week and Commencement, as well as supporting the development, implementation, and management of cultural, educational, social, activities at Cowell College. 

I am originally from Southern California having obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from UC Riverside, and Masters degree in Organizational Leadership from the University of Redlands. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns to the Programming Office!

Suhayl Awad
Community Service Officer Supervisor

CSOs patrol university residential communities every night and perform a wide range of duties including emergency and disaster response and policy enforcement in order to help build a safer, more secure community. A CSO is on duty every night from 7pm to 3am.

Greg Speed
Community Service Officer

CSOs patrol university residential communities every night and perform a wide range of duties including emergency and disaster response and policy enforcement in order to help build a safer, more secure community. A CSO is on duty every night from 7 pm to 3 am.

Matthais Anderson

CSOs patrol university residential communities every night and perform a wide range of duties including emergency and disaster response and policy enforcement in order to help build a safer, more secure community. A CSO is on duty every night from 7pm to 3am.