University Advising
Office of Undergraduate Education
Candace Bailey Combs (she/hers) joined University Advising in 2026. She is originally from Lawrence, KS. Candace attended the University of Kansas for her undergraduate degree in music education, Kansas State University for her master’s degree in music, and she returned to KU for a master’s in Teaching English for Speakers of Other Languages. She has spent nearly twenty years in higher education, including Kalamazoo College, Western Michigan University, and the University of Kansas. She has taught instrumental music (band), English for Multilingual Learners, and community-engaged classes in teaching. Her advising experience has been with international students and students with disabilities and learning challenges. She works directly with college students to explore, discover, and support the connections between their school and their future.
I take the most pride in reflection and personal growth that helps students reframe their differences, challenges, and interests as critical assets in a community. I hope to offer the kind of support that normalizes help-seeking, builds confidence, and boosts self-esteem. I love building the connections that make supportive conversations possible.
The Breslin Center. As an alum of the University of Kansas, the birthplace of basketball, the sport is in my blood. I love how the stadium is part history lesson and part fan experience. I can see that Spartan fans love their teams as much as I do.
University of Kansas - Rock Chalk Jayhawk!
I loved going to college. It was an exciting place to go every day, and I was proud to be part of something bigger than myself. I had excellent professors that impacted my daily life and the trajectory of my career. My favorite part was my favorite professor - Scott Watson, professor of Tuba/Euphonium, who taught me much more than how to improve my skills on the euphonium.
In my undergrad, I played trumpet for the basketball band and baritone for the marching band. I was at every home game for men's and women's basketball, football, and volleyball. I went to several Big 12 championships, NCAA tournaments, and bowl games. I still play now - as a euphonium player in Ein Prosit, a polka band you can hear at Oktoberfest celebrations throughout the state.