Originally from SoCal, I began my college experience as a First-Gen student at CSULA. I went in for a BS in Biology and left instead with a BA in Psychology and a minor in Biology.
After about a year from graduation, I got a job working in a middle school as an Interventionist. This was not only my stepping stone, but quite literally my introduction to my Master’s program (as we had Counseling interns doing their fieldwork on site who introduced me to the program itself).
I ended up applying to University of La Verne and received a MS in Educational Counseling with a concentration in Social Justice Higher Education.
My journey was far from linear and though I had the motivation and love for learning, I faced obstacles in lack of generational knowledge, confusing forms, policies, procedures and lack of advising support.
As an Academic Advisor, I help students today to make sure they do not feel alone throughout their journey by acknowledging and addressing obstacles and the complex intersections at play.