Contact the CAFES Advising Center

Ann De Lay

Associate Dean, Student Success and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

 adelay@calpoly.edu.       
 805-756-2161
 Building 11-211

Ann De Lay is the college’s associate dean of student success and diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI). She joined Cal Poly in 2008, working previously in the college’s Agricultural Education and Communication Department as a professor and graduate coordinator, supervising, evaluating and mentoring teacher candidates during their clinical practice. She also served as the advisor for the Latinos in Agriculture Club and has held several appointments as a CAFES faculty fellow in the areas of DEI, assessment and the quarter to semester transition.

De Lay earned a bachelor’s degree in agricultural education from Cal State Fresno, a master’s degree in agriculture at Cal Poly and a doctorate degree in agricultural education at the University of Florida.

Kiku Severson

Administrative Support COORDINATOR

 CAFESAdvising@calpoly.edu
 805-756-7574 for administrative needs only; no phone advising available
 Building 74M-A100

Kiku is from the Central Valley of California where her family grows almonds and walnuts. She earned her bachelor's degree in plant sciences from Cal Poly in 2017. Within the College of Agriculture, Food and Environmental Sciences, Kiku provides administrative support to all the advisors and students to ensure academic success. 

Meagan Groom

LEAD academic advisor
 

 groom@calpoly.edu
 805-756-5071
 Building 74M-A100
Majors Advised: Animal Science; Dairy Science

Meagan has worked in higher education as an academic affairs professional for more than 12 years, working with both traditional and non-traditional students. She earned a bachelor’s degree in education from Multnomah University and a master’s degree in higher education from Portland State University. On the weekends, she enjoys getting out in nature, hanging out with her family, and drinking locally roasted coffee.

Cathy Bartholomew

academic advisor
 

 bartholo@calpoly.edu
 805-756-5082
 Building 74M-A100
Majors Advised: Food Science; Nutrition; BioResource and Agricultural Engineering; Agricultural Systems Management

Cathy previously worked as an academic advisor at Azusa Pacific University. She also worked as an adjunct professor teaching English, managerial communication and conflict management and negotiation.

Austin Joseph Ferguson

Academic Advisor

  aufergus@calpoly.edu

 805-756-7574
 Building 74M-A100
Majors advised: Forest and Fire Sciences; Environmental Earth and Soil Science; Environmental Management and Protection

Austin is a first-generation college graduate from Bakersfield, California, representing California's Central Valley with pride. He started his academic advising journey at Cal Poly in 2020 by interning at the Mustang Success Center. He worked there full-time beginning in 2022 and transitioned to the CAFES Advising Center at the end of 2024. He earned a bachelor's degree in psychology from California State University, Fullerton, and later earned his master's degree in higher education counseling and student affairs (HECSA) from Cal Poly. For fun, you’ll catch him hiking around the county, playing video and board games with his friends, making latte “art” at home, and telling life stories to get a few laughs (be sure to ask him about his twin).

Maria Grando

Academic Advisor

 mgrando@calpoly.edu
 805-756-7574
 Building 74M-A100
Majors advised: Plant Sciences

Maria Grando is a first-generation student from Ukraine but has spent most of her life in California. With over a decade of experience working in education, she first attended Santiago Canyon College before transferring to California State University, Fullerton, where she earned a bachelor's degree in liberal studies in 2015. In 2017, she obtained a paralegal certificate from the University of California, Irvine. Maria's educational and career journey continued at Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, where she earned her master's degree in higher education counseling and student affairs in 2020. In her free time, she enjoys reading, gardening and exploring the beautiful landscapes of the Central Coast.

Craig Hooper

academic advisor

 crhooper@calpoly.edu
 805-756-5019
 Building 74M-A100
Majors Advised: Agricultural Business; Wine and Viticulture

Craig has worked as an academic advisor at Cal Poly since 2008. He received a degree in kinesiology from McMaster University in Hamilton, Ontario, and a master’s degree in theology from Biola University in La Mirada, Calif.

Cara Price

academic advisor
 

 cprice17@calpoly.edu
 805-756-7574
 Building 74M-A100
Majors Advised: Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration

Cara was raised in San Luis Obispo County and earned a bachelor’s degree in business with a concentration in Hotel, Restaurant and Resort Management from Sierra Nevada College. After more than 20 years in the hospitality and nonprofit industries, she transitioned into academic advising—blending her professional expertise with her passion for education and supporting students.
 
Cara never misses a chance to explore a new town or country, or to spend a relaxing day at the beach soaking up the Central Coast sunshine.

Natalie Hall

academic advisor
 

 nehall@calpoly.edu
 805-756-5082
 Building 74M-A100
Majors Advised: Agricultural Communications; Agricultural Science

Natalie is a native of Bakersfield and spent many of her childhood summers along the Central Coast. She earned her master’s degree in educational counseling from San Diego State University and began her career as an academic advisor at National University. It was there that she discovered her passion for supporting college students and helping them navigate their academic and personal development. 

Outside of her professional life, Natalie enjoys spending quality time with her family, following Premier League soccer, and honing her self-taught pottery skills.

Lauren Batchelor

academic advisor
 

 lcbatche@calpoly.edu
 805-756-7574
 Building 74M-A100
Majors Advised: Generalist (all majors)

Lauren is a Cal Poly graduate from the RPTA department who has worked in higher education advising for more than three years. She loves connecting with students on matters outside of class schedules, and supporting all aspects of their college journey. She's quick to make an organized to-do list for students to satisfy their course requirements while also connecting them to an exciting experience outside of the classroom. After work, Lauren enjoys taking long walks, cooking new meals, listening to live music and ocean swims.