Advising at Otis College
Central Academic, Studio, and Minor Advising all fall within the Advising umbrella at Otis College of Art and Design and are available to students every year.Through core programs and centralized advising students have access to pointed advising around individual pathways such as minors, choice of CA/IL courses, LAS electives and course makeup opportunities throughout their undergraduate studies.
Central Academic Advising Office
The Central Academic Advising Office at Otis College of Art and Design offers a diverse range of services to meet the advising needs of students. They offer Liberal Arts and Sciences advising and serve as anchors in navigating your first course at Otis College to your senior thesis show and graduation. Together with your department advisor they ensure you are on track to graduate and fulfilling your academic goals.
Mission Statement
The Office of Academic Advising is dedicated to cultivating an inclusive, nurturing, and accessible learning environment that empowers all students to evolve as leaders, visionaries, and innovators in the realm of art and design. Our team of advisors supports students on their academic journey, providing guidance as they navigate educational, professional, and personal pursuits. With an emphasis on holistic development, the advising team provides counsel for academic planning, degree fulfillment, and cultivating academic self-advocacy. We are persistent in our commitment to equipping students with the comprehensive support and resources essential for crafting their success during their time at Otis.
Diversity and Empowerment Statement
The Office of Academic Advising is committed to fostering an environment that acknowledges and embraces students from diverse backgrounds, ensuring that every student feels valued, respected, and empowered to reach their full potential. We strongly believe in the power of inclusivity and recognize diversity as a catalyst for creativity and collective achievement.
Academic Advising
Academic Advising is available for Drop-In Hours to assist you in planning your schedule and preparing for Registration each semester.
Monday – Friday 10AM-12PM PST
otis.zoom.us/join ZOOM Meeting ID: 882 763 1873
When you join, please ask for your advisor:
Ricardo Estrada — Foundation
Zac Henderson — Sophomore
Briana Murrell — Junior
Michelle Andrade — Senior
Office locations on Campus in Fall 2024
Michelle Andrade, Academic Building, Room 155, (424) 207-3739 mcandrade@otis.edu
Ricardo Estrada, Ahmanson Building, Room 204A, (424) 207-3759 restrada@otis.edu
Zac Henderson, Ahmanson Building, Room 204, (310) 846-2550 zhenderson@otis.edu
Dr. Briana Murrell, Ahmanson Building, AHMN 607B, (424) 207-3750 bmurrell@otis.edu
Appointments
Current students may also request one-on-one appointments with their advisor through the online Insight appointment scheduling software
Contact Information
Email: advising@otis.edu
Major Department Contacts
Department (or Major) chairs and faculty support your transition into the major and provide individual guidance in program of study-specific course selection, scheduling, and graduation checks as needed prior to registration each semester.
BFA in Animation
Ron Bernard
rbernard@otis.edu
BFA in Environmental Design
Richard Lundquist (Interim)
rlundquist@otis.edu
BFA in Fashion Design
Mitra Rajabi (Sophomores)
mrajabi@otis.edu
Jill Zeleznik (Junior and Seniors)
jzeleznik@otis.edu
Appointments only:Byron LiCausi
byron@otis.edu
BFA in Fine Arts
Meg Cranston
mcranston@otis.edu
Alex Slade
aslade@otis.edu
BFA in Game Design
Joffery Black
jblack@otis.edu
BFA in Graphic Design
Michele Jaquis
mjaquis@otis.edu
Hazel Mandujano
hmandujano@otis.edu
BFA in Illustration
Michele Jaquis
mjaquis@otis.edu
Hazel Mandujano
hmandujano@otis.edu
BFA in Product Design
Jennifer Caveza
jcaveza@otis.edu
Jonathan Fidler
jfidler@otis.edu
BFA in Toy Design
Jennifer Caveza
jcaveza@otis.edu
Joyce Mesch
jmesch@otis.edu
Creative Action: Integrated Learning*
Richard Shelton
rmshelton@otis.edu
Foundation Studio
Moira Connelly
mconnelly@otis.edu
Major declaration or academic progress
TeaYoun Kim-Kassor
tkimkassor@otis.edu
Interdisciplinary Studies (Minors)*
Michele Jaquis
mjaquis@otis.edu
Liberal Arts and Sciences
Environmental Design students
Kerri Steinberg ksteinberg@otis.edu
Comm Arts students
Maggie Light mlight@otis.edu
Digital Media students
David Bremer dbremer@otis.edu
Fashion Design students
Roberta Panzanelli rpanzanelli@otis.edu
Fine Arts students
JoAnn Staten jstaten@otis.edu
Product Design students
Roberta Panzanelli rpanzanelli@ot
Toy Design students
JoAnn Staten jstaten@otis.edu
Foundation students
JoAnn Staten jstaten@otis.edu
or Kerri Steinberg ksteinberg@otis.edu
MFA in Fine Arts
Meg Cranston
mcranston@otis.edu
Kathrin Burmester
kburmester@otis.edu
MFA in Graphic Design
Michele Jaquis
mjaquis@otis.edu
Hazel Mandujano
hmandujano@otis.edu
*Advising for A.C.T., Interdisciplinary Studies, and Creative Action: Integrated Learning is offered by those offices, in addition to major advising.