Major Advisors

Adding an Art Minor

Email the Art Department Administrative Support Coordinator, Bill Alley [email protected], for more information about changing your major, adding a minor or applying for graduation.

Undergraduate and Graduate Major Advisors

Who are Major Advisors?

Major advisors are faculty who teach and are professional artists and historians in your intended major area. Faculty are on break durring winter and summer recess, if you need immediate assistance when classes are not in session, please contact the Art Department Administrative Support Coordinator, Bill Alley [email protected].

What can Major Advisors help me with?

Major Advisors can advise you on the classes you need to take in the art department & career trajectory, but you will need to see a general advisor to make sure you are on-track with your General Education (GE) courses.  

Bachelor of Art (BA) in Studio Practice

ON SABBATICAL -  NOT AVAILABLE FALL 2024 -Prof. Binh Danh (Photography)
Office: DH 401C
[email protected] 
(408) 924-4489

Prof. Valerie Mendoza (Photography Emphasis)
Office: DH 401C & IS 219
[email protected] 
(408) 924-4693
Office Hours: W 2:00pm - 4:00pm via Zoom (email for link) or in person (must schedule in advance)

Prof. Shaun O'Dell (Pictorial Art Emphasis)
Office: Online
[email protected] 
(408)924-4369
Office Hours: T 8:00am - 10:00am  via Zoom (email for link)

Prof. Carla Fisher Schwartz: (Pictorial Emphasis & DMA Emphasis: Last Names beginning with Te-Z)
Office: ART 319
[email protected]
Office Hours: W 4:00pm – 6:00pm (In Person)*  

Prof. Adam Shiverdecker (Spatial Art Emphasis)
Office: IS 124C
[email protected] 
Office Hours: MW 11:00am – 12:00pm

Prof. Shannon Wright (Spatial Art Emphasis)
Office: ART 108
[email protected] 
R 12:30 - 2:30 PM via Zoom

Prof. Andrew Blanton - Last Names beginning with Aa-Ht (DMA Emphasis)
Office: ART 311
[email protected] 
Office Hours: TR 11:00am – 12:00pm (In Person)

Prof. Esteban Garcia: Last Names beginning with Hu-Mas (DMA Emphasis)
Office: ART Building 317
[email protected] 
Office Hours: T 1:00pm - 3:00pm (In Person)

Prof. Rajorshi Ghosh -  Last Names beginning with Mar-Td (DMA Emphasis)
Office: Online
[email protected] 
Office Hours: W 1:00pm – 3:00pm via Zoom (email to schedule and recieve zoom link)

ON SABBATICAL -  NOT AVAILABLE FALL 2024 - Prof. Craig Hobbs (DMA Emphasis)
Office: ART 319
[email protected] 

Preparation for Teaching

Susan W. Trimingham
Office: Online
[email protected]
Office Hours: R 3:00pm – 4:30pm via Zoom (email for link)

Art History and Visual Culture

Anthony Raynsford
Office: Online
[email protected]
Office Hours: W 10:00am – 11:00am via Zoom (email for link)

Sarah Mills
Office: ART 123
[email protected]
Office Hours: T 3:00pm – 5:00pm (In Person)

Bachelor Of Fine Arts – B.F.A Degree and Master of Fine Arts – MFA Degree

Digital Media Art MFA/BFA

DMA Majors are assigned to a major advisor according to the first few letters of the student's last name.*

Major Advisors are Professors teaching within your degree program, they are only available for advising during certain days and times. If you have a class during your advisor's scheduled office hours, we suggest respectfully asking the professor teaching your class if you can step out for a bit to meet with your advisor.  

Many answers to student questions can be found in the the DMA Advising Guide.

Prof. Andrew Blanton - Last Names beginning with Aa-Ht
Office: ART 311
[email protected] 
Office Hours: TR 11:00am – 12:00pm

Prof. Esteban Garcia: Last Names beginning with Hu-Mas
Office: ART 317
[email protected] 
Office Hours: T 1:00pm - 3:00pm (In Person)

Prof. Rajorshi Ghosh -  Last Names beginning with Mar-Td
Office: Online
[email protected] 
Office Hours: W 1:00pm – 3:00pm via Zoom (email for link)

Prof. Carla Schwartz: Last Names beginning with Te-Z
Office: ART 319
[email protected]
Office Hours: W 4:00pm – 6:00pm (In-Person)*

ON SABBATICAL -  NOT AVAILABLE FALL 2024 - Prof. Craig Hobbs 
Office: ART 319
[email protected] 

Photography MFA & BFA 

ON SABBATICAL -  NOT AVAILABLE FALL 2024 - Prof. Binh Danh
Office: DH 401C
[email protected] 
(408) 924-4489

Prof. Valerie Mendoza (Last Name A - Lu)
Office: DH 401C
[email protected] 
(408) 924-4693
Office Hours: W 2:00pm - 4:00pm via Zoom (email for link or schedule an appointment for on campus)

Prof. Adam Shiverdecker (Last Name Lv - Re,  Fall 2024 Only)
Office: IS 124C
[email protected] 
Office Hours: MW 11:00am – 12:00pm

Prof. Shannon Wright (Last Name Rf - Z,  Fall 2024 Only)
Office: ART 108
[email protected] 
T 9:45-10:45 AM,  12:15 - 1:15 PM  (In Person)

Pictorial Art MFA & BFA

Prof. Shaun O'Dell
Office: Online
[email protected] 
(408)924-4404
Office Hours: R 8:00am – 10:00am via Zoom (email for link)

Prof. Carla Fisher Schwartz
Office: ART 319
[email protected]
Office Hours: W 4:00pm – 6:00pm (In Person)*

*On Wed Oct 9th, 2024 Professor Scwartz will hold her office hours 2:30 - 4:30pm 

Spatial Art MFA & BFA

Prof. Adam Shiverdecker
Office: IS 124C
[email protected] 
Office Hours: MW 11:00am – 12:00pm

Prof. Shannon Wright (Spatial Art Emphasis)
Office: ART 108
[email protected] 
R 12:30 - 2:30 PM via Zoom