Meet your College Advising Team

Dan Barnhart
Crown/Merrill Academic Preceptor
Greetings! My name is Dan and I’m the Lead Academic Preceptor for Crown & Merrill Colleges. I began my career in Higher Education working in Residential Life and have held positions in Admissions, Re-Entry, Financial Aid and Academic Advising, bringing me from California to Colorado and back to California again! When I’m not on campus working with our fabulous students and advisers, I enjoy playing Disc Golf, Rock Climbing, watching and discussing all things soccer/football and hiking with my partner and dog through the many trails and forests in Santa Cruz and the Bay Area. Come by and say hello!
Beth Truax Armstrong
Academic Advisor



Renee Russo
Academic Advisor
Did you you know that EOP has a STEM/Crown specific counselor? EOP’s holistic counseling focuses on:
- Academic Support
- Time management strategies
- Balancing between academics, work, and family obligations
- Financial budgeting and planning
- Campus navigation and resources
- Advocacy and referrals
Jessica Macias
EOP STEM Counselor
Hey Crown Slugs! My name is Jessica Macias and I am an EOP STEM Counselor. I am a Latina, first-generation, and UCSC Alumni with a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry. I am passionate about supporting students and acting as a bridge for those facing adversity to resources and a community of STEM mentors. I like to take a holistic approach when engaging in conversations regarding resources and will provide guidance to help students in STEM achieve their educational and career goals by implementing a growth mindset environment, instill self-efficacy and provide a sense of belonging. I look forward to meeting and working with you all!
