‘A hero’: Students laud Lisa Brown, winner of Walker Academic Advising Award

Lisa F. Brown, the long-time graduate student advisor for the UC Davis Department of Plant Sciences, is retiring on June 30 after nearly 35 years with the university. Brown was recently honored with an Eleanor and Harry Walker Academic Advising Award from the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

“The committee was impressed by Lisa’s outstanding advising efforts, her strong advocacy for students, her ability to promote collaboration among faculty and staff in order to promote student success, and her efforts to create a welcoming place for all students,” wrote Professor Susan Ebeler,  Associate Dean of the College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences.

Students and others who have known Brown describe her in their own words:

Jorge Carlos Berny Mier y Teran, Ph.D., Horticulture & Agronomy, 2018

“She was so instrumental to me just to even get to UCD and through my studies. Without her help, I would certainly not make it. She always found time to help me out with advice on courses, funding and even life in general. Some of my best moments were passing by her office at PES and chatting about all kinds of themes. One of my saddest times when finishing at UCD and going back home was saying bye to Lisa.”

Laura V. Morales, Ph.D., Ecology, 2017

“Lisa has always been a hero in my eyes. During my graduate career at UC Davis (2011-2017), and even just last year when I was applying for a new job, she was available and spot-on in sharing her knowledge of university procedure and administration for getting things done. If she didn't know how, she knew how to inquire or put you in contact with someone who could guide you or solve your problem, always with great patience."

“One personally heroic moment was when she -- of entirely her own initiative -- saw that I had not been paid my Plant Sciences GRS stipend for several months. She wrote to alert me … and helped me figure out why. I do not exaggerate when I say that she made what could have been potentially entangling bureaucratic issues simple, either in person, over email or over the phone when I was traveling internationally.”

Yuxin Bai, graduate student, UCD Genome Center

“Lisa is a great coordinator in our Horticulture & Agronomy Grad Group. She is very passionate about her work, and she is extremely knowledgeable about everything in the program."

“She is kind and helpful. Whenever I have some problems with the program, I am always comfortable asking her for help. I am so happy to have her as the coordinator of my graduate group.”

Theresa Costa, Budget and Policy Supervisor, Academic Senate Office

“I started advising undergraduates in Plant Sciences in 2006, and Lisa mentored me. Then I shifted to grad group coordination in 2011, and Lisa mentored me. I can’t begin to describe how lucky I feel to have never been more than a couple doors away from Lisa. A patient and dedicated coach, Lisa taught me DESII, the nuts and bolts of coordinating programs, intricacies of grad student fee remission (that I never did master as well as she did), how to cajole responses from faculty, how to navigate university bureaucracy, and how to advocate on behalf of my students. The thousands of students I’ve advised and the hundreds of faculty I’ve assisted in the intervening years have all been better off because of Lisa’s guidance."

“More personally, she was a generous and steady co-worker and friend, helping me navigate my tumultuous 20s -- a wedding, grad school, a divorce and a baby. Since I left the department, I’ve dearly missed our daily brainstorming and venting sessions, and I will miss her more in her retirement."

“Congratulations Lisa. They couldn’t have selected a more deserving recipient.”

Paul Kasemsap, Ph.D. student (degree expected 2022)

“Lisa is always there when I need support. My graduate school experience has been enriched with Lisa's kindness and wisdom from even before I arrived in Davis. Through the years, Lisa shows that she genuinely cares about students' well-being and is willing to advocate on student's behalf. I wish we all had someone like Lisa in our life! She inspired me to be kind to others and go above and beyond at whatever I do. This award is well-deserved. Congratulations, Lisa."

“Above all, thank you so, so much for your continued support and inspiration!”

Maany Ramanan, Ph.D. student (degree expected 2025)

"I was in a somewhat unique position given that I was in a different grad group, but one of my PIs was from Plant Sciences. Lisa was very patient in explaining the funding situation and requirements to me, and she regularly communicated with my graduate group's coordinator to ensure I was covered throughout the year. She is also very considerate and includes extra information in her emails for those of us who are not directly connected with the Plant Sciences grad group."

“Thanks, Lisa, for all of your help over the last year, and congrats on your well-deserved accomplishment!”

Sadikshya Sharma, graduate student, Strawberry Breeding Program

“Lisa is the best person at UC Davis for me. She helped me during my difficult time here in Davis. I will always have a special place in my heart for Lisa. She is a sweetheart and understands students more than anyone.”

Kyle Rizzo, graduate student

“Lisa is a kind and compassionate soul who has been immensely helpful to me and my cohort in the processing and navigating of graduate school.”

Mark Uleh, graduate student

“As an international student with family, it will be difficult to forget Lisa's kindness. The first day I met Lisa in her office, she took her time to explain all I needed to do as a freshman, and when she was done from work, she took me back to meet my family in the hotel where we lodged."

“Her prompt response to emails is another aspect of Lisa I sincerely appreciate. So many things to say about her... I wish her the best, and I ask that the Lord bless her for her selfless service.”

Ricardo Camargo, M.S. student, Horticulture & Agronomy

”Lisa’s knowledge gives peace of mind, encouragement and opportunities like you can’t imagine. When someone is struggling and having problems, Lisa brings comfort like a mother does to her kids. I am truly blessed to be coached by one of the best coordinators I ever had!”

Madeleine Macconnell, Ph.D. student (degree expected 2025)

“Lisa did an incredible job making sure an administrative issue with my funding didn't affect my studies. She went out of her way to make sure I knew what was going on when I asked about a discrepancy in my billing statement, and she even let me weigh in on how to resolve it, even though doing so could have easily complicated matters further. Knowing the breadth of her responsibilities, I was very touched that she dedicated so much time to an individual student, especially when there were many ways the issue could have been deflected to me or my major professor instead.”

Will McMahan, first-year Ph.D. student, Horticulture & Agronomy

“When I was considering which grad school to go to, Lisa took all of my calls and answered lots of questions about the Graduate Group for Horticulture & Agronomy, ranging from administrative to content. Her calm, kind and patient attitude is one of the main reasons that convinced me to enroll in GGHA at Davis. I'm devastated that she's leaving, but I’m so grateful for her many years of service."

“Hooray for Lisa! What a well-deserved award!”

Arlan Rodeo, Ph.D. student, Horticulture & Agronomy (degree expected Spring 2023)

“I would like to congratulate Lisa for this well-deserved award!

“Lisa has helped me a lot since I started applying as a graduate student here at UC Davis. If it was not for her, I might not have been able to find a brilliant and very supportive major professor. As a graduate group coordinator, she is always there to answer questions and assist students in any way possible. I couldn't imagine the Horticulture & Agronomy Graduate Group without Lisa.”

Angie Nguyen, student academic advisor

“We all need Lisa in our lives. She listens without judgement, she gives without asking anything in return, she knows so much, and yet she is so humble. She is a role model for me as a staff advisor, a woman, a mother, a UCD community member. The UCD advising community is so lucky to have her."

“No, we are all so lucky to have her in our lives! Thank you, Lisa, for being so supportive and caring. We love you!”

Jenny Cribbs, Ph.D. student, Ecology (degree expected 2026)

“I’m completely hopeless with forms and administrative procedures, but Lisa’s amazing attention to detail and kind follow-up kept me gainfully employed as a PLS21 TA for five quarters, which effectively funded my MS degree."

“Recently, she’s been characteristically helpful and patient in helping me figure out departmental fellowships and a new ESM141 TA position in my first year as a Ph.D. student. Thank you, Lisa, for making sure all of us grad students are signed up for 12 units and receiving the funding we need. We quite literally couldn’t do it without you!”

Yufei Qian, Ph.D. student, Horticulture & Agronomy

“Lisa has been giving me incredible support and guidance since I first joined UC Davis as an international undergraduate student. She is a valuable person in the department, and I will always be grateful for knowing her over the past eight years.”