Importance of Faculty Advising:
Graduate Faculty Advisors are faculty who act as primary sources for students regarding academic information and their plans of study. They play a crucial role in each student’s web of mentors and advisors, complementing the role of Major Professor. In addition, the cohesive group of Advisors work collaboratively with the graduate program Chair to provide a unified advising vision for the program or group, and they review and take action on the forms and petitions students submit.
Dr Amanda Crump, Associate Professor of Teaching in International Agricultural Development
Dr. Amanda Crump is Associate Professor in International Agricultural Development at University of California, Davis. Her research focuses on the impacts of compounding disasters on vulnerable farmers. She and her research team work to create greater understanding of the constraints faced by vulnerable people who are involved in agriculture, research better strategies to increase the uptake of agricultural technologies by vulnerable groups, and develop better teaching strategies that increase critical thinking skills for U.S. university students who will become development practitioners and for farmers who engage in agricultural extension activities. Dr. Crump has managed over $40 million in international and domestic agricultural research projects and her mentees now work as gender equity specialists, program managers and evaluators throughout the world. She earned a PhD from University of California, Davis, a M.S. degree from Colorado State University, and a B.S. from the University of Idaho. Originally from a farm, Amanda spends her free time listening to music and playing with her dog Sam.
Why I love advising: One of the things that energizes me is seeing students thrive at UC Davis. I’m good at connecting students with others in their field of expertise and with the resources they need. I’m encouraged when students think outside the box because the issues that development practitioners encounter are bigger than they used to be. It’s student creativity that may solve our most pressing problems.
Dr Louise Ferguson, Professor of Cooperative Extension
Dr. Louise Ferguson’s program is focused on developing new production practices for pistachios, olives, citrus, figs, persimmon pomegranates and teaching the results to growers. She has coedited books on pistachio, citrus, fig, and table and oil olive production. She has worked in multiple USAID international training projects in Iran, China, Afghanistan, Iraq, Egypt, Pakistan, South America, Republic of Georgia and Armenia. She has done extensive leadership training for mid-career adults in academic, government and commercial agricultural organizations.