I am the daughter of two Mexican immigrants. They both lived in Michoacan, Mexico, until they married in 1977. Before the age of 5, I lived in Illinois, Ontario, Michoacan, and Chico. When I was 5 years old, my family and I came to Santa Cruz County. I have been here ever since.

My mom often told me that the way out of poverty was to get an education. So when I graduated from high school, I decided to attend Cabrillo College. I did not have a clear goal, other than I wanted to earn a college degree.

I had a lot of questions about higher education, so it took several counselors to guide me. David, Eva, and Irma helped me create a plan to transfer to a university. More importantly, they listened to my fears and did not judge me. Nobody that I was close to had a college degree. My counselors were my role models!

Education:

Liberal Arts AA degree, Cabrillo College

Liberal Studies BA degree, CSUMB

Counselor Education MA degree, SJSU

I have been an academic counselor for EOPS/CARE since 2015. My role as a counselor is to guide students in their educational journey. I do this by providing a welcoming and supportive environment. Additionally, I provide a proactive approach when counseling EOPS/CARE students.

During my free time, I enjoy hiking with my German Shepherd, reading, and swimming.