2019-2020 Graduate Assistantship(s): Assistant Program Coordinator for MA Program at SDSU & Sixth College Orientation GA at UC San Diego
2018-2019 Graduate Assistantship(s): Orientation and New Student Programs at Cal State San Marcos & Greek Life at UC San Diego

Year in Program: Second-Year
Favorite Course: ARP-620: Student Affairs in Higher Education
Favorite thing you like about the program: The tight-knit community of scholars, students, and professionals connected through the MA program both within San Diego and afar!
Words of advice for Interview Days: Be true to yourself. Where you find your best fit is where you can be the most authentic version of yourself.
Contact: mapostsecondaryedinfo@sdsu.edu

Undergraduate Institution: University of California, San Diego

Position/Graduate Assistantship: Center for Student Involvement - Community Service Graduate Assistant at UC San Diego & Graduate Research Assistant for Dr. Marilee Bresciani & Peer Mentoring Coordinator for PELSA Student Advisory Board 1

Year in Program: Second Year

Favorite Course: ARP 620: Student Affairs in Higher Education

Favorite thing about the program: I am surrounded by incredible, passionate, genuine people who teach me valuable things about both Student Affairs and life in general on the daily. 

Words of advice for Interview Days: You are exactly where you belong! Make friends and connect with current students and your fellow applicants, you never know what may come out of these friendships. Most of all - don't worry too much, you got this and we are all here to support you.
Contact: jhenline@ucsd.edu 

Undergraduate Institution:
UC Santa Cruz (Go Banana Slugs!)
Undergraduate Major: Psychology

Position: Academic Success Coach- Division of Diversity and Innovation, SDSU

Past Graduate Assistantship(s): Student Affairs Assistant, Commuter Life, SDSU; College of Engineering Seminar Instructor, SDSU; Front Desk Security Manager, SDSU; Graduate Student Success Intern for College of Professional Studies and Fine Arts, SDSU; Conference & Guest Housing Summer Intern, Western Washington University
Other Role(s): Vice President of Programming, Graduate Student Association, SDSU; PELSA Social Justice Committee member; College of Education Outreach (PELSA)
Year in Program: Second-Year

Favorite Course: ARP-620: Student Affairs in Higher Education

Favorite thing you like about the program: I like that we have assistantships. Definitely take advantage of them if you are able!
Words of advice for Interview Days:  Just remember everyone is there feeling the same feelings you are. It is best to express your feelings. We are here to support you!
Contact: fansaldosanchez@sdsu.edu

Undergraduate Institution: University of California, Irvine
Undergraduate Major: Sociology and Social Policy & Public Service

Current Position/Graduate Assistantship:
- Graduate Assistant for Student Success Programs (UC San Diego)
- Assessment GA for Student Orgs and Activities (SDSU)
- SAB Coordinator for PELSA Student Advisory Board 2
Previous Graduate Assistantship:
- Graduate Assistant for the Cross-Cultural Center (CSUSM)

Year in Program: SECOND YEAR

Favorite thing about the program: I appreciate the opportunity to build a network with a wide-range of professionals across a multitude of institutions. A majority of professionals I have met are genuinely supportive and want to see you succeed and it's very reassuring - especially in times where you feel doubtful about yourself and capabilities.

Words of advice for Interview Days: Make the most out of interview days because it really is a unique experience. This is a great opportunity to get to know the ins-and-outs of the program and hear personal experiences from those in it. Take advantage of interview days, so when the time comes, you will be able to make a well-informed decision for yourself in terms of the best pathway to take for your future. And reach out to any of us with any questions!! vvv   
Contact: 
dgo3524@sdsu.edu 

Undergraduate Institution: San Diego State University
Undergraduate Major: Social Science and Religious Studies

Position: Compassion Programs Director at UCSD Center for Mindfulness

Year in Program: Second Year

Favorite thing about the program: Learning about Leadership from a Holistic Perspective

Words of advice for Interview Days: Congratulations on being invited to interview, and trust you were invited because you are valuable!
Contact: mprager@sdsu.edu

Undergraduate Institution: University of California, Santa Barbara

Undergraduate Major: Sociology and Spanish

Position/Graduate Assistantship: Program Coordinator, MAS-International Affairs at UC San Diego

Year in Program: Second Year

Favorite Course: ARP-620: Student Affairs in Higher Education

Favorite thing about the program: I love how supportive and tight-knit our cohort is. There is a lot of honest discussion in our classes and it makes the learning process so much easier. 

Words of advice for Interview Days: Talk to people!  I met so many future classmates at interview days and getting to know the other students was a big factor in my decision to join the program.  

Contact: 

562-708-1449

jbarker9638@sdsu.edu  

Undergraduate Institution: University of California, San Diego

Undergraduate Major: Psychology

Position/Graduate Assistantship(s): The Village Residential Life Office at UC San Diego
and
Research Analyst for the Research and Equity Scholarship Institute on Student Trajectories in Education at SDSU

Year in Program: Second Year

Favorite Course: ARP-620: Student Affairs in Higher Education

Favorite thing about the program:
Having a very supportive faculty and opportunities to learn from student affairs practitioners in my assistantship.

Words of advice for Interview Days:
Be your authentic self, you were selected to interview for a reason. Also, be kind to yourself and know that it's okay to step away to breathe for a moment. I was nervous until I had my interview with Dr. Gates and stayed true to "leading with love".  Take the time to get to know people, they are pretty amazing.
Ask questions! If you have any, leading up to interview days, feel free to reach out. :)
Contact:
(951) 203-8432
diane.a.gaskin@gmail.com

Undergraduate Institution: San Diego State University

Undergraduate Major: Journalism - Media Studies

Position/Graduate Assistantship(s):
- EOP Outreach, Retention, and Admission Graduate Assistant at SDSU
- Community College Equity Assessment Lab (CCEAL) Research Intern

Year in Program: Second Year

Favorite Course: ARP 620: Student Affairs in Higher Education

Favorite thing about the program: The cohort-based model, the peer mentoring program, and all of the opportunities for growth personally and professionally!

Words of advice for Interview Days: Have fun and make the most of this experience. Speak from the heart and from your own unique experiences. You are here for a reason so be genuine and have confidence in yourself!

Contact: bleon@sdsu.edu

Undergraduate Institution: San Diego State University

Undergraduate Major: Psychology with a Minor in Africana Studies

Position/Graduate Assistantship(s):
- Black Resource Center Graduate Assistant SDSU
- Provosts Office of Faculty Diversity and Inclusion Graduate Assistant SDSU

Year in Program: Second-Year

Favorite Course: ARP-620: Student Affairs in Higher Education

Favorite thing you like about the program: The opportunities for growth through the cohort, assistantships, faculty and course reflections.
Words of advice for Interview Days: Breathe. You got this!  You're exactly where you're meant to be, now all you have to do is be yourself. 

Previous Institution: Columbia University, American Studies Major
 
Fun Fact: I have a daughter who is my mini-me.

Looking Forward to:  learning more about higher education and how I can help support the next wave of students who are carving out their path in college. I’m also excited to continue meeting people from our cohort. Lastly, I’m looking forward to school and schoolwork (crazy, right?)! It’s been several years since I’ve been in college and I miss it terribly!

Favorite Things about Program: Caring professors who want to see you succeed. The courses are centered around social-justice which was a huge reason I applied to the program.

Advice for Interview Days: Breath! It seems scary but it's an opportunity for you to share why you're passionate about student affairs and not scary at all. I walked away learning so much about the program, the students and grad school in general. Be prepared for it to be a long 2-days.

Contact: ccortez1298@sdsu.edu

Education:
BA in Psychology, SDSU 2016
MA in Education, emphasis in Counseling, SDSU 2017
AA in American Sign Language Studies, San Diego Mesa Community College 2019

Year in the Program: First Year, F.U.T.U.R.E. Cohort
Favorite Thing About The Program: I enjoy the community-building through the cohort model of the program, and I love how intentional and inclusive we strive to be in class and in our work with students.

Fun Fact: I have a first degree Black Belt in Tang Soo Do, which is a Korean martial art.

Looking Forward to: Learning and growing with you all, while developing my own skills and experiences! I hope to become a resource for others the way other people have been for me.

Advice for Interview Days: We are excited to have you, and excited to work with you! Be present, build connections, and be yourself as you are. Also remember to practice self-care/self-nourishment in preparation for, during, and after interview days! It's a lot of people to meet, a lot of critical thinking, a lot of interaction - so take care of you and do things that help you present your best self. 

Contact Info: ervedar@sdsu.edu

Year in Program: 1st

Favorite Thing About the Program: The incredible friendships and positive relationships that I have been able to build!

Words of Advice for Interview Days: There's a lot happening! Make sure to look out for yourself and take a step back if you need to. We're all rooting for you :)  

Feel free to reach out with questions!  
(951) 833-5853
robertoguzman@ucsb.edu

FUN FACTS: 

LOOKING FORWARD TO: Meeting my cohort and starting the PELSA program!

Education: BA in Communication Studies with a minor in Business Management  at Kean University, NJ

Fun Fact: I live on a farm 

Looking forward to: Making connections and learning more about my direction in this field.

Year: 1st Year 

Education: BA in Sociology & Education Sciences from UC Irvine 

Favorite Class: ARP 620

Favorite Thing About the Program: Connecting with my cohort members, having an opportunity to work with students in my assistantships & getting to discuss/learn about social justice in Student Affairs!

Advice for Interview Days: The best thing you can do is be yourself! Your abilities and passion will shine through. You will end up where you're made to end up.

Contact Information:
amcgeever@csusm.edu 
(408) 838-7255

Year in Program: First Year

Favorite Course: ARP620: Student Affairs in Higher Education

Favorite Thing(s) about the Program: I love the connection that I've made with my cohort and the opportunities provided to us by the program and our assistantships.

Words of Advice: Give yourself grace throughout the interview process-it can be stressful!

Get to know people--one of my closest friends in my cohort is someone I met at interview days!

Contact Info:
laurenngallegos@gmail.com
(559) 269-6002