Academic Advising Staff

Lorraine Smith

Director

Lorraine received her Bachelor’s in Psychology from UC Santa Cruz in 1979, and then worked with at risk students at Watsonville High School. She began her career in Advising and Orientation as an Advising Intern in 1982 while completing her master’s degree in Counseling Psychology. She subsequently worked as a counselor at Butte Community College and then joined the professional staff of Academic  Advising Programs in August of 1986. Lorraine’s favorite part of her job is that she gets to work with a dedicated and creative staff who truly care about students – and having the opportunity to make a positive difference every day. Some of Lorraine’s current responsibilities include providing supervision and support for Advising staff, and serving as a focus point for expanding campus efforts to improve student retention and degree completion. Lorraine was one of the founders of the Safe Zone program at CSU, Chico. In her time away from work she enjoys hiking, traveling, working in her garden, and spending time with her partner, Liz, and her dog, Sunny.

Kaitlyn Baumgartner

Public Contact Coordinator
Academic Advisor

Liaison to the College of Humanities & Fine Arts 

Born and raised in Chico, Kaitlyn graduated from Sonoma State University in 2006 with a B.A. in Psychology and a minor in Business Administration.  While at Sonoma, Kaitlyn worked in Student Outreach & Recruitment, coordinating the student tour program and participated in the Summer Orientation Program. Kaitlyn serves as the department representative on the Educational Policies & Programs Committee(EPPC), Enrollment Management Operations Group, University Catalog Committee, and is the liaison to the Chico Student Success Center(CSSC). Kaitlyn is currently earning her M.A in Education with an emphasis in Curriculum & Instruction here at CSU, Chico.

Rebecca Berner

Orientation Coordinator
Academic Advisor

Liaison to the College of Communication & Education

Rebecca earned a Bachelor of Science in Journalism from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo.  She remained in the San Luis Obispo/Santa Barbara area for eight years and worked in radio, television and public relations, including four years as Communication Director for the San Luis Obispo Chamber of Commerce. She began working at CSU, Chico as a graduate student and teaching assistant in 1997.   Upon receiving her Master’s Degree in Communication in 2000, Rebecca was hired by Student Activities as Program Coordinator for the Campus Alcohol and Drug Education Center.  In May 2006, she was hired by Academic Advising to serve as Orientation Coordinator, as well as an Academic Advisor.  She currently serves on the Campus Planning Council, Getting Connected Committee, First Year Experience and University 101 Advisory Boards and is the liaison to the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences.  In addition, she regularly teaches courses in the Communication Arts and Sciences Department.  When not working or teaching, Rebecca enjoys cooking, reading, movies, swimming, talking and walking in Bidwell Park with friends, as well as spending time with her husband, Steve, and family.

Kim Dufour

Academic Advisor 
 

Liaison for Undeclared Students, College of Business, and College of Agriculture

Kim currently holds a Master’s Degree in Public Administration and a Bachelors Degree in Social Work from CSU, Chico.  Her first job at Chico State was as the Director of CAVE in 1981, in 1983 she joined the Student Activities staff where she worked until 1988.  She then moved to Sacramento and began working for Sutter Hospitals Foundation until 1993 when she returned to the University as the Director of Development for the College of Natural Sciences and the College of Engineering Computer Science and Technology.  She became a member of the Advising and Orientation staff in August of 2005.  Her current responsibilities include, undeclared and general education advising, overseeing the super senior process and disqualification process.  She works with Faculty to access and interpret the Degree Progress Report when advising students.  She is the liaison for the College of Agriculture, the College of Business and undeclared students.  Kim enjoys spending time with her husband, two college age daughters, family and friends. Her hobbies include running and biking in Bidwell Park, traveling and skiing.

Dami Hammer

Academic Advisor

Liaison to the College of Behavioral & Social Sciences and to the College of Natural Sciences

Dami holds a Master’s Degree in Social Science with an emphasis in Student Services and a Bachelors Degree in Psychology from CSU, Chico. Dami transferred to Chico State from the University of Washington in conjunction with her family’s return to Chico in 2001.  Having raised four great (now grown) sons while completing her degrees, Dami brings a special perspective that helps her understand and relate to the many students she advises.  She became a member of the Advising and Orientation staff in 2005 as a student intern and became a full-time Advisor in 2007.   Dami genuinely loves her work and takes special satisfaction when students overcome temporary setbacks and become successful students and self-sufficient individuals.  One of her primary responsibilities is helping undeclared students discover their major through outreach campaigns and Major Exploration Workshops. Dami also presents Undeclared Advising Sessions at Summer Orientation, Back on Track Workshops and Disqualified—What’s Next Workshops.  She produces the Advisor’s Bulletin Board, maintains the Major Academic Plans (MAPs) database, and is the Advisor for the Phi Eta Sigma Honor Society.   Her hobbies include running, hiking, biking, sailing, and traveling.  Dami’s favorite Chico experience is a Saturday morning ritual consisting of a run in Bidwell Park with friends, followed by coffee at Peet’s and a stroll through the farmer’s market. Dami’s #1 love is spending time with her family and friends. 

Barbara Paquin

Office Manager

Barbara has lived in Chico since 1970 and began her career as a staff member at CSU, Chico in 1989. She joined Academic Advising Programs in the fall of 2011, and is very grateful to be a part of such a dedicated, enthusiastic, and caring team.  Barbara feels blessed to have a wonderful daughter, loving son-in-law and two beautiful, full-of-life granddaughters, and so fortunate that they also live in Chico.  Some of her favorite things to do are reading, walking through Bidwell Park, and spending time with family and friends.

Jason Stapleton

Academic Advisor

Liaison to the College of Natural Sciences and the College of Engineering, Computer Science, & Construction Management 

Jason holds a Master’s Degree in Social Science with an emphasis in Student Services as well Bachelor’s Degrees in Exercise Physiology and Health and Community Services from CSU, Chico.  He became a member of Advising and Orientation in 2001, as a student intern, and was hired on as a Staff Advisor in 2004.   Jason's primary possibilities include the maintenance of the Online Orientation, supporting students with extenuating circumstances through means of Administrative Withdrawal and Academic Forgiveness. He is also the advising liaison for NCAA athletics, and assists with updating Major Academic Plans (MAPS).  Hobbies include watching movies, and spending time with family and friends.

James Luyirika-Sewagudde

National Student Exchange (NSE) Coordinator

James' primary responsibilities are in the Center for International Studies where he serves as International Student Adviser. James assumed the role of International Student Adviser in 1975. He also coordinates our campus participation in the National Student Exchange Program, a program he had the honor of establishing at Chico State in 1977. He has studied with the International Committee Institute in Portland.  He has completed two Master's Degrees from Chico State, one in Counseling Psychology and the other in Education. James is an accomplished tennis player. He was born in Uganda and came to the United States to pursue his education.