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Academic Advising

Orfalea Student Services offers academic advising to support students in academic-related concerns such as course planning, registration, studying abroad, changing majors, and much more.

Contact Information
Hours of Operation

Summer Quarter Availability

  • Monday: 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM (Virtual Only)
  • Tuesday: 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM (Virtual Only)
  • Wednesday: 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM (Virtual Only)
  • Thursday: 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM (Virtual Only)
  • Friday: 10:30 AM – 1:30 PM (Virtual Only)

Peer Advisors

Meet with a Peer Advisor to discuss degree progress, curriculum, registration, course planning, study abroad, change of major, or any other general academic concerns. Orfalea Student Services aims to foster a professional, inclusive environment. Please join the office with respectful language and appropriate attire. For current Cal Poly OCOB students only. Open to all OCOB students who are in their second year and beyond. First-year students may meet with an advisor in the First-Year Advising Center.

Industrial Technology & Packaging students may also schedule an appointment with a major-specific Peer Advisor using the link below.

Schedule General Advising Appointment

Peer Advising Drop-In

Anytime during our hours of operation, you may step into our office for drop-in assistance at the link below. Come in to interact with a Peer Advisor to get quick answers to your advising-related questions or time sensitive concerns. For academic advising including degree progress and graduation planning, please schedule an appointment.

Note: If you have submitted a form that requires advisor approval, meet with a Professional Academic Advisor (found at the bottom of this page).

Join Our Virtual Office

Professional Academic Advisor Drop-In Advising

If you have an urgent request for one of the professional staff, please drop-in and meet with us.

Drop-in Advising is available Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM at the link below.

Join Drop-in Advising

Professional Academic Advisors

Professional Academic Advisors are available to provide in-depth personal counseling for sensitive, critical, or complex academic concerns.

If you would like to meet with a professional academic advisor for more in-depth counseling, please view the Professional Academic Advising Team below and schedule an appointment with the advisor whose areas of expertise best fit your specific concerns.

Alicia Cruz, Retention Specialist
Areas of Expertise
  • Informal Time Off & Leave of Absence
  • Academic Policies
  • Returning Students
  • Campus Resources & Support
  • Cal Poly Scholars/EOP Support

Contact Alicia

Make an Appointment with Alicia

Christine Gray, Lead Academic Advisor
Areas of Expertise
  • Academic Advising Lead & Peer Advising Coordinator
  • Study Abroad & International Student Support
  • Academic Advising for all Students

Contact Christine

Please Contact Christine to Make an Appointment.

Chris Ainsworth, Academic Advisor
Areas of Expertise
  • Transfer Student Advising
  • Change of Major Process
  • Academic Advising for all Students

Contact Chris

Make an Appointment with Chris

Drexler Alcantara, Academic Advisor
Areas of Expertise
  • Academic Probation & Disqualification
  • Peer Mentor Program Coordinator
  • Academic Advising for all Students

Contact Drexler

Make an Appointment with Drexler

Tania Arevalo, Academic Advisor
Areas of Expertise
  • General Academic Advising for all Students

Contact Tania

Make an Appointment with Tania

Yesenia Marquez-Beas, Academic Advisor
Areas of Expertise
  • Multicultural Business Program Coordinator
  • Readmitted and Returning Student Advising
  • Academic Advising for all Students

Contact Yesenia

Make an Appointment with Yesenia

Specialized Advising Topics

If you would like to meet with a specialist for one of the topics below, please click on the menu below to make an appointment with one of our advisors

Change of Major Advising

If you are interested in changing your major into the College of Business, please visit our Changing Major page for more information. Please email our office at cobadvis@calpoly.edu to discuss changing your major, or come into drop-ins through the Zoom link above to schedule an appointment.

Study Abroad Advising

If you are interested in studying abroad, refer to our Study Abroad page for help in planning. Please email our office at cobadvis@calpoly.edu to discuss studying abroad, or come into drop-ins through the Zoom link above to schedule an appointment.