Students smile in front of the Campanile on the UC Berkeley campus.
From left to right, Qian Ni, Ella Culleton, Orlyana Tantchou, Michelle Garcia Zamudio, Jennifer Ortega and Michael Florip in the UC Berkeley College of Computing, Data Science, and Society smile on Berkeley's campus this spring. (Photo/ Kayla Sim/ UC Berkeley College of Computing, Data Science, and Society)

UC Berkeley’s newest college launched an undergraduate student advising office this month.

The office in the College of Computing, Data Science, and Society (CDSS) began serving undergraduate students majoring or minoring in statistics, data science or computer science. These students can receive support selecting courses, engaging in research and more.

“We are excited to officially open the Undergraduate Advising Office and share the new things that are taking place in the CDSS community,” said Antoine Davis, interim director of college undergraduate advising. “The office will be a welcoming place for students to get support. We hope to meet each student in the college and assist with resources and encouragement.”

The office’s opening is a major milestone in the development of the new college, which was approved by the UC Board of Regents and launched in May 2023. The statistics, data science and computer science B.A. programs moved to CDSS in December from the College of Letters & Science.

“College advisors play a crucial role in building community in the college,” said Deborah Nolan, CDSS’ associate dean for students.

“We are opening the advising office this summer so continuing students can transition smoothly from Letters & Science to CDSS and we can warmly welcome our new students to the college,” said Nolan, who will transition in July to become a special advisor to the college. 

While the advising office is new, its team is made up of exceptional advisors who joined from other teams on Berkeley’s campus, including the Transfer Student Center and the Haas School of Business. Its startup phase was led by Nolan, who recently won the Berkeley Faculty Service Award.

Davis and his team of advising experts are building a dynamic hub for CDSS students. The advising office will initially help students navigate college policies, get involved in research, select classes, address grade issues and commence and complete degree audits, Davis said.

The office is still expanding its offerings and personnel. CDSS will announce soon its permanent director for the undergraduate advising office and its next associate dean of students for the college. The team is also hiring for college programs, advisor and career services roles.

“Members of the CDSS advising team bring diverse experiences which will aid them in providing academic and professional guidance to CDSS students,” Davis said. “Students can expect to receive excellent guidance and support from our newly hired team of college advisors."