College of Natural Resources, UC Berkeley

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The Peer Advising Leadership (PAL) Program

About PAL

The work of peer advisors is integral to the success of their fellow CNR undergraduates. Peer advisors are trained in understanding CNR and university requirements, policies, and procedures, and they help with CNR recruitment and enrichment programs.

Contact a Peer Advisor

pal@berkeley.edu
260 Mulford (Student Resource Center)
The PAL Blog

PAL Office Hours

Upcoming Events

Frequently Asked Questions

Many students have questions about the same issues. Below we've answered some of those most frequently asked.

    Please click on a link to display the information.

    PAL FAQS

    Telebears FAQS

    Obtaining an Advisor Code

    Undeclared Students

    All undeclared students should have received an e-mail with details of who your faculty advisor is and the procedures to obtain your advisor code. If you didn't receive the e-mail, or if you don't know who your faculty advisor is, come to the Office of Instruction and Student Affairs Office at 260 Mulford Monday through Friday from 9:30 A.M. to 12:00 P.M., 1:00 P.M. to 4:00 P.M.

    1. Set up an appointment to meet with your faculty advisor (via e-mail or drop into one of his/her office hours) at least 2-3 weeks before Telebears appointment.
    2. Research potential majors and classes.
    3. Fill out your Telebears form, which can also be found in 260 Mulford.
    4. Bring your Telebears form and current class schedule to your meeting with your faculty advisor.
    5. Obtain the advisor's signature.
    6. Bring your signed Telebears form and your student ID to 260 Mulford to receive your advisor code.

    ESPM majors (CRS, MEB, FNR, SE)

    1. Meet with your faculty advisor and obtain his/her signature on your Telebears form.
    2. Go to the ESPM office to get the advisor code from Maire or Emilie.

    PMB majors (MB, GPB)

    1. Set up an appointment with one of the major advisors (they typically send an e-mail about 2 weeks before the beginning of Telebears).
    2. Meet with either one of them and obtain your advisor code.

    NST majors (NS-D, NS-PM, MT)

    1. Set up an appointment with your faculty advisor.
    2. Meet your faculty advisor and obtain the advisor code from him/her.

    Environmental Economics and Policy

    Coming Soon!

    Environmental Sciences

    1. Sign up for a time slot to meet with Susan Kishi in 260 Mulford.
    2. Meet with Susan, and obtain your advisor code.

PAL Alumni

Irene Liao

Genetics and Plant Biology major

Kay Jiaqi Yang

Nutritional Science - Dietetics major
Within Cal is the CNR, a smaller community that is very friendly and personable. I have had the pleasure of getting to know the students in the college, being able talk to someone who shares the same interests in plants as I do or even just to listen to people talk about whatever interests them and hear the passion in their voice."
Read More		 "I personally love the fact that faculty members and professors in CNR are friendly and accessible. I think this has made my transition as a transfer student easier."
Read More

Wellington Onyenwe

Molecular Toxicology major

Ruixan (Jenny) Zhang

Genetics and Plant Biology major
Hey CNRers! I have for you the secrets of success in CNR that very few know. Believe me, I have dealt with the long journey and am overjoyed to lift as I continue to climb. I'm very honored to be a part of PAL program and the CNR family."
Read More		 By majoring in Genetics and Plant Biology, I want to study the plants used in traditional medicinal practices and discover the genes that are the source to these medical treatments."
Read More

Carol Man

Molecular Toxicology major

Ken Juacualla

Molecular Toxicology major
Hey CNRers! I have for you the secrets of success in CNR that very few know. Believe me, I have dealt with the long journey and am overjoyed to lift as I continue to climb. I'm very honored to be a part of PAL program and the CNR family."
Read More		 As a Molecular Toxicology major, I am able to learn the beneficial and the toxic effects of foods, chemicals, drugs, and any exogenous forms that can be critical in our environment and to us."
Read More

Kelley Doyle

Environmental Sciences major

Jessica Lebeau

Molecular Toxicology major
As an out-of-state student, CNR has helped me find a smaller community within the sometimes overwhelmingly large Cal campus. I love how friendly and accommodating the CNR staff is -- especially our major advisors!"
Read More		 After high school I went to school for Massage Therapy in Emeryville then opened my own practice locally which I have been operating for almost ten years...I hope to use my experience to help other students stay positive and navigate administration."
Read More

Tiet Nguyen

Microbial Biology major

Rezwana Abed

Environmental Economics and Policy major
Berkeley opens so many doors of opportunities for its students, especially if you are an undeclared student who desires to explore the various majors and find one that suits you best."
Read More		 If there’s one thing I have come to appreciate about EEP, it is undoubtedly the major’s ability to provide a dialogue between environmentalists and economists which are two disciplines that in theory shouldn’t exist in isolation but are often disconnected in practice. "
Read More

Katrina Hong

Molecular Environmental Biology major

Ashley Fortenberry

Nutritional Science - Dietetics major
"As a Molecular Environmental Biology (MEB) major with a minor in Forestry and Natural Resources from CNR, I feel that my choice of studies is 'my own.'"
Read More		 "...hence if there is any type of class that stands as a barrier between you and your goals, tackle it and face it head on. If I could get through it -- and enjoy it, you can too."
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Liz Dow

Environmental Sciences major

Julie Ching

Molecular Environmental Biology major
"I transferred from L&S into CNR last spring, so I am a relatively new addition to the college. I chose to do this because CNR's small college atmosphere is a place where where I can get attention from advisers and be around like-minded people."
Read More		 "I love CNR because it is like a family. Whenever I need help or just someone to talk to, I know that there are many people in CNR that can help me. "
Read More

Linda Truong

Nutritional Science - Physiology & Metabolism major

Rebekah Kim

Molecular Toxicology major
"I am also pre-med and have taken all the pre-reqs for med school already. I really love to eat and love to learn everything about food; that's why I'm majoring in NutriSci!"
Read More		 "My first semester at Berkeley was really difficult because I was new and taking upper division courses. With the help of a PAL, I was able to pull through the fall semester. She encouraged me to talk to professors about the problems I had and to my surprise they were really nice!"
Read More

Alex Lau

Nutritional Science - Physiology & Metabolism major

Crystal Kwan

Nutritional Science - Dietetics major
"I was especially impressed by professors who knew me by name after just several office hours, the abundance of biological research, and the one-on-one faculty advising that far exceeded what was offered by other departments."
Read More		 "My journey at Berkeley has had its share of obstacles, but having a reliable community to help me out has been crucial to my success here at Berkeley. The College of Natural Resources has been my source of solid advice, opportunity and community."
Read More

Jimmy Rothschild

Environmental Sciences and Molecular Environmental Biology double major

Adrienne Doi

Molecular Environmental Biology major
“I believe strongly in providing a service back to my institution and others, so helping students through the PAL program fits me perfectly. ”
Read More		 I recognized PAL as the perfect opportunity to give back to the student community. At the same time, I get to learn more about our wonderful college and I also get to meet new faces every week. "
Read More

Jennifer Powers

Nutritional Science - Dietetics major

Whitney Lau

Nutritional Science - Dietetics major
I have always had an interest in nutrition, so when I found out that UC Berkeley's Dietetics program was offered by CNR, a small and intimate college; I was even more excited to come to Cal. Since then, CNR has surpassed my expectations and has had such a positive impact on my journey at Cal."
Read More		 “Helping out on class advising was a wonderful experience during CalSO last summer. Being a CNR peer advisor, I hope I can help my fellow schoolmates.”
Read More

Gina Lopez

Forestry and Natural Resources major

Nancy Piceno

Microbial Biology major
If it were not for the College of Natural Resources, I don't think I would have bothered applying to this #1 public institution for higher education."
Read More		 "Not only do I think microbes are perhaps the coolest things on earth, but the electives offer a variety of coursework that range from microscopy, to bioethics, to California mushrooms."
Read More

Tay Feder

Environmental Economics and Policy major

Simo Yao

Nutritional Science - Dietetics major
At Berkeley, I've been granted the privilege to be a student under world-class researchers and professors of energy economics, climate change, and information goods that have blown my mind."
Read More		 I became a CNR Peer Advisor because I wanted to learn more about the opportunities that our college offers and help students find the right major for themselves."
Read More

Jelyn Evangelista

Molecular Toxicology major

Youh Ying "Amy" Lin

Molecular Environmental Biology major
"I wanted to become a Peer Advisor because I thought it would be a great experience, but more importantly I'll get to help others who are also Mol Tox majors or transfers, like I was, who don't know all the ins and outs of the system."
Read More		 "I love how MEB provides many choices and flexibility in terms of class selection and my major also helps me with satisfying pre-med requirements."
Read More

Tim Seo

MEB/CRS double major		  

Jenn Quan

Molecular Environmental Biology major
"I have received unlimited support from the Sponsored Projects for Undergraduate Research Program as well as top-notch graduate students in the lab. These experiences have helped me develop an analytically creative mind geared towards solving complex problems. "
Read More		 "I have gone through a lot of problems with my family and myself and totally understand that academic success first comes with good mental and physical health."
Read More

Stephen Kwan

Molecular Environmental Biology major

Wendy Chen

Environmental Sciences major
I want to be able to impart the knowledge that I have gained from experience onto incoming freshmen and/or transfers. By doing so, I hope that I will be able to help people have a more fufilling and enjoyable time at Berkeley!"
Read More		 Berkeley is a large and fast-paced school and being apart of CNR gives me the feeling of a small, tightly knit community that I can't find anywhere else. We get a lot of one on one attention with our advisors, and it's clear that they care very much about their students."
Read More

Samantha Bell

Microbial Biology major

Jena Riggert

Forestry major
"I have always been interested in pursuing a career in medicine or public health and someday I hope to become either a pediatric doctor, or a health educator for children."
Read More		 This coming summer I will be going to the Forestry Summer Camp, and am really exciting about all the skills that I will learn there. I think that my major is so perfect for me because what it really boils down to is that I just love trees and everything that they contribute to our world."
Read More

Selina Chou

Nutritional Science - Dietetics major

Dale Dualan

Conservation and Resource Studies major
"As a Peer Advising Leader, I hope my positive experience can help out more fellow students and bring them a better college life."
Read More		 CNR challenged me to break out of my comfort zone, think outside the box, and explore with an open mind. Here I was empowered with tools for the toolbox of life, to continue to find my voice and help others do the same."
Read More

Olga Mukha

Molecular Environmental Biology major

Chau Pham

Nutritional Sciences - Physiology and Metabolism major
Being in CNR made my transition from community college to UC Berkeley easier. Whether it was studying at the Student Resource Center and using the computer lab (and free printing!) or attending the CNR Movie Nights, I was able to meet new people and get all my advising questions answered."
Read More		 I received a great help from PAL in advising me how to change my major; therefore, I want to continue this tradition to help other students by becoming a Peer Advisor."
Read More

Jenn Jehnsen

Environmental Sciences major

Kerry Boyle

Microbial Biology major
I was so confused my freshmen year because my friends in L&S didn’t have the same requirements that I did for CNR. I think it’s important for CNR students to have other students that they can go to for advice on CNR-specific requirements."
Read More		 I hope that sharing my experiences, both positive and negative, with other students will help them to make smart decisions about their academics and extracurricular activities while at UC Berkeley."
Read More

Liz Pelayo
Deciding on my major was not a straight path, but after hearing from my friends and experiencing the friendly environment that CNR offers their students, I knew that I wanted to be part of the college."
Read More

Mission Statement

As College of Natural Resources students representing various majors, backgrounds, and interests, we strive to:

  • Promote the positive aspects of the college by advising our peers through office hours, CNR seminars and events, and online communication;
  • Address student needs by advising on major requirements, college policies, and procedures; and
  • Develop students leaders within CNR.

Peer Advisors help fellow students discover the fantastic opportunities the College of Natural Resources offers, while earning credits and acquiring valuable leadership skills.

Position Overview

The peer advisors in the program:

  • Must commit to two consecutive semesters in the program.
  • Engage in CNR recruitment and retention programs.
  • Are trained in understanding CNR and university requirements, policies, and procedures.
  • Make referrals to a wide variety of campus services and resources and provide information about transferring into CNR from other institutions and from elsewhere on the Berkeley campus.
  • Work at information tables at the residence halls.
  • Participate in the CNR Welcome Day Program, Cal Day, and Majors Fair.
  • Assist CNR student affairs staff with various outreach programs.
  • Manage other college-wide advising projects as assigned.

NOTE: Peer leaders do not have access to student records, transcripts, or student files. Peer leaders cannot sign petitions or process student petitions.

Benefits for Peer Advisors

  • Gain strong presentation skills
  • Become well-versed in CNR and University policies
  • Become a recognized student leader at CNR
  • Develop public speaking skills
  • Earn 2 units of credit in ESPM 98/198 (Directed Group Study)

Becoming a PAL

If you are declared or undeclared in CNR, have at least Sophomore status (30+ units), and have a 3.0 GPA or better, then you are a perfect candidate!

  • You must commit to two consecutive semesters in the program.
  • You must be available for summer training the week prior to Welcome Week.
  • Fill out the P.A.L. Application
  • Submit the application to Donna L. Symon, 260 Mulford Hall no later than 5pm on the Friday after spring break. If accepted, you will be notified by email by the first week in May.

Current Peer Advisors

Cynthia Gaw

Environmental Sciences major

Brita Rustad

Conservation Resource Studies
"As a Pre-med I have always been told to be MCB or IB but instead I chose Environmental Science because it’s a subject I have been interested since childhood."
Read More		 "Conservation Resource Studies is unlike any major at Berkeley. It’s an opportunity to take control of your education and forge your own unique pathway to a degree. "
Read More

Christopher Lau

Molecular Environmental Biology

Stephen Chen

Microbial Biology major
"MEB is an excellent major because it grants me so much versatility in what I want to study."
Read More		 "One of the best decisions I’ve made is majoring in Microbial Biology. I am able to be on the pre-med tract (hoping to get into sports medicine/physical therapy) while taking course that I find interesting."
Read More

Fabian Collazo

Molecular Toxicology and Molecular Environmental Biology double major

Morgan Godding

Molecular Toxicology
"When I later found out about MCB and IB it really didn't matter since I was absolutely in love with CNR by then and I am so excited to pass on my enthusiasm!"
Read More		 "When I first started at Cal, the course rigor and high caliber students intimidated me. As an undeclared student, unsure of a major or a path, I felt lost in a sea of students. "
Read More

Elodie Tong-Lin

Molecular Toxicology major

Kristine Cabugao

Molecular Environmental Biology
"It was at Berkeley that I began to explore my independence and started to challenge myself."
Read More		 "Figuring out what to do, what to make of yourself is probably the most challenging questions you could ever ask of yourself, but I bet it's one of the ones most worthy of answering."
Read More

Yanna Chen

Nutritional Science – Physiology and Metabolism

Bai Chen

Microbial Biology
"I love UC Berkeley and CNR! "
Read More		 "Hello! My name is Bai Yi Chen (call me Bai), and it is currently my third year at Cal."
Read More

Amelia Appell

Conservation and Resource Studies

Crystal Sun

Environmental Science
"Hello! My name is Amelia Appell and I am a second year, intended Conservation and Resource Studies (CRS) major. "
Read More		 "Hi! My name is Crystal Sun and I'm a second year Environmental Sciencemajor, and am actively pursuing minors in Energy and Resources and Latin Studies. "
Read More

Christine Stontz

Genetics and Plant Biology & Forestry and Natural Resources
"If you ever want to just vent to somebody about a midterm, talk about trees, or hear a bad pun, please come by and chit-chat with me!"
Read More

PAL on Facebook

CNR@Berkeley on Facebook